Parliament Highlights: Rajnath Singh to make statement in Rajya Sabha tomorrow on eastern Ladakh situation

Various issues related to the aviation sector, infiltration on India-Bangladesh border and the record hike in the petrol prices were raised in Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha passes Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Shipping, claimed the Bill will further lead to the development of the ports while the Opposition slammed that the Bill was introduced to benefit businessmen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address today.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement in Rajya Sabha tomorrow regarding the situation in eastern Ladakh.

Four ESDM firms diversify manufacturing base from China to India: Parkash

Four firms in the electronic system design manufacturing (ESDM) sector have diversified their manufacturing base from China to India, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash said there are several companies that have indicated their plan/interest to relocate their bases.

Govt didn't impose lockdown at appropriate time, says TMC MP Saugata Roy

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy said that the Centre had not imposed Covid-19 lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19 at an appropriate time.

Unfortunate that PM Modi said nothing about protesting farmers who died, says Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Harsimrat Kaur Badal hit out at PM Modi's address in the Rajya Sabha regarding the farmers' movement by saying that he spoke nothing about the protesters who lost their lives.

"Where would the ministers have gone in Punjab when they couldn't go to the borders of Delhi in the last 75 days?," Badal said.

This tepid Budget ignored the middle class in their hour of need. You've given them increase in fuel prices. The excise duty on petrol has risen by 348% since 2014. Soon banks will have to provide fuel loans: Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP

Parliament likely to adjourn a day early on Friday

Parliament is likely to adjourn on Friday, a day ahead of scheduleafter concluding the debate on Budget, sources said on Wednesday.

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Govt failed to constructively engage with protesting farmers: Shashi Tharoor

Congress's Shashi Tharoor on Monday slammed the Centre for not constructively engaging with protesting farmers. PM Modi had earlier said that the Centre and the Parliament respected the sentiments of farmers and talks were being held with them when the movement was limited to Punjab.

Under whose governance India was in the Fragile 5 are lecturing those under whom India is among the top 5 economies of the world: Meenakshi Lekhi

Govt has chosen the path of deception than governance: Shashi Tharoor

Nirmala Sitharaman's speech said that cricket must be on many people's minds, says Shashi Tharoor. Earlier, this year, we witnessed a miracle victory at Brisbane earlier this year. The impossible odds were there for the Budget. Tourism and industries were devastated. There was steering fight back in the FM's speech. Instead of focussed leadership, inspirational captaincy was wholly absent, says Tharoor.

PM Modi invites farmers to discuss farm laws as he ends his reply to Motion of Thanks to President's address.

This country is strong, if we have a million problems, we have a billion solutions, says PM Modi.

Our focus is to lead the country towards balanced development. We are working on a mission mode regarding eastern India, says PM Modi

The lack of infrastructure at the border because there are no votes there, says PM Modi

When soldiers go there from time to time, we'll see what happens — This was the attittude of governments in the past, says PM Modi.

Can't meet challenges of agriculture sector in 21st century while thinking of 18th century. We'll have to change it. Nobody wants farmers to stay stuck in cycle of poverty, that he doesn't get right to live. I believe farmers shouldn't be dependent on others. It's our responsibility: PM Modi

There are people who talk the right things. But this same section, when it comes to doing the right things, fail to convert words into action. Those who talk big on electoral reforms oppose One Nation One Election. They speak of gender justice but oppose Triple Talaq, says PM Modi.

To use improper words against the private sector may have provided votes for a few people in the past but those times are gone. The culture of abusing the private sector is not acceptable any longer. We cannot keep insulting our youth like this: PM Modi

I consider the Kisan Andolan to be holy, says PM Modi

But, when Andolanjeevis hijack a holy protest, showcase photos of those jailed for serious offences, does it serve any purpose? Not allowing toll plazas to work, destroying telecom towers- does it serve a holy protest?: PM Modi

Essential to differentiate between andolan kari and andolan jeevi, says PM Modi.

The public sector is essential but at the same time the role of the private sector is also vital, says PM Modi

The public sector is essential but at the same time the role of the private sector is also vital. Take any sector- telecom, pharma- we see the role of the private sector. If India is able to serve humanity, it is also due to the role of the private sector, says PM Modi.

Wealth creators are required in the country. How else can wealth be distributed, who will create employment?: PM Modi

Sharad Pawar's stand has changed from when he was agriculture minister to now, says PM Modi.

We have used the Krishi Rail during the Covid-19 pandemic. This train is a cold storage on the move, says PM Modi

Higher the investment in agriculture, the more employment opportunities will increase, says PM Modi

It is our duty to reduce the difficulties of the farmers and through these farm laws we are trying to exactly do that, says PM Modi

Congress has taken different stands in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, a divided and confused party like this can do no good to country: PM Modi

Our farmers should become self-reliant, he should the get freedom to sell his produce, there is a need to work in that direction: PM Modi

We need to strengthen our rural economy, says PM Modi. We need to strengthen the agro-business industry, he adds.

We believe that farmers can progress, but we need to handhold farmers and support them, says PM Modi.

In the 2011 census, landless farmers went up to 55% from 28%. An intervention was needed. Without modernisation, we cannot progress, farmers cannot become Aatmanirbhar, says PM Modi.

Agriculture has been a part of our culture, festivals, traditions have been tied to agriculture and harvest: PM Modi

"Congress is a divided & confused party. This party can neither work for its own good nor for the good of this nation," says PM Modi.

PM Modi narrates anecdote to emphasise his argument on not maintaining status quo.

If we maintain status quo, we will not see change, says PM Modi.

Nobody asked for Jan Dhan Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Swacch Bharat. We brought about these projects. The time where the govt only does things that the government asks for has gone: PM Modi

We work in the larger interest of the nation, says PM Modi.

Several Opposition members stage walkout over PM Modi's arguments on farm laws.

Those who are disrupting the House are doing so as per a well-planned strategy. They are unable to digest that people are seeing through the truth. Through their games, the trust of the people can never be won: PM Modi

People didn't ask for anti-dowry laws, but we brought about such laws. People didn't ask for laws on marriageable-age, but we brought about such laws, in the interest of development and progress: PM Modi.

I'm surprised, this is the first time I'm hearing this: We didn't ask for this, why are you giving us this?: PM Modi

This Budget have allocated more for improvement of agriculture infrastructure and mandis, says PM Modi.

These farm laws don't bind people, gives them options, why do we have opposition to it?: PM Modi

Farmers have an option to now go where they will profit more, says PM Modi.

After the farm laws were implemented, I ask farmers whether the new laws have taken away anything that they had earlier, says PM Modi.

Opposition causes uproar after PM Modi's mention of MSP and mandis. Opposition chants slogans briefly. Speaker asks members to give PM his time to speak.

After the farm laws were implemented, MSP and mandis have not stopped. Sales based on MSP have increased, says PM Modi.

Narendra Singh Tomar and farmers have discussed clause by clause. If farmers have any issues and are convincing, we have no issues with changes in farm laws, says PM Modi.

Uproar in Lok Sabha over PM Modi's discussion on farm laws.

We brought 3 farm laws. I have been observing the arguments made by Congress members. They have been arguing about the colour of the laws and not the content of it, says PM Modi.

Many experts have said that India will grow in double digits, says PM Modi.

Even during the pandemic, we kept reforms alive. From Day 1, we have been reforming. Tractors, cars have been selling at record highs. Our economy is booming, says PM Modi.

Aadhar provided so many with benefits, how many knocked the doors of the court to bring down Aadhar?: PM Modi

India made it because doctors, nurses took the form of gods. We were able to win over Covid-19 because of sanitation workers. They kept India clean. God took the form of a sanitation worker. The ambulance driver took the form of a God, says PM Modi.

In this discussion, everybody has spoken about Covid-19. There was an unknown enemy and we had to fight it. Even the larger nations, were struggling. India may not be able to make said many, but we have made it. Credit to 130 crore Indians, says PM Modi.

The way India handled and helped itself and the world during Covid-19 was a turning point: PM Modi

We cannot show our power just because we have a large population. India has to be independent, Aatmanirbhar Bharat is the way, says PM Modi.

After Covid-19, a new world order is forming, says PM Modi.

A new world order took form after the World War. UN was founded, institutions were formed, so that the world could follow the path of peace. But, everyone started talking about peace, despite such talks, everyone who could afford to build their militaries, built it. There was much talk of peace but superpowers pushed to develop their militaries. Even after Covid-19, a new world order is forming, says PM Modi.

In the time of Covid-19, India has performed well and proved that it can be 'aatmanirbhar,' says PM Modi.

We are a nation filled with diversity, but we have proven that we can have one objective, one mission, says PM Modi.

Some used to say that India is miracle democracy but we have proved them wrong, says PM Modi.

The last British commander used to say that India is a continent of many nations and one country cannot be made out of it, till he left, but Indians proved him wrong, says PM Modi.

I'd like to especially thank women MPs. They presented arguments after much research and have served well, says PM Modi

President's speech is motivational to all Indians, says PM Modi.

PM Modi to reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, in the House shortly.

PM Modi arrives at Parliament.

Fishermen are attacked by Sri Lankan Navy every 2 weeks, says T R Balu. He demands the formation of a dispute resolution mechanism.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury brings the House's attention to the statements made by Union Minister V K Singh.

High Court monitoring CBI probe into Hathras case as directed by SC: Govt to Rajya Sabha

The Centre informed Parliament on Wednesday that the Allahabad High Court is monitoring the CBI probe into the rape-and-murder case of a 19-year-old woman in Hathras in Uttar Pradesh as directed by the Supreme Court.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the apex court had observed that since the Uttar Pradesh police was divested of the probe and the central agency is carrying out the investigation, there would be no room for apprehensions at this stage.

Major Ports Authorities Bill will encourage good competition between major & private ports: Mandaviya

Major Ports Authorities Bill will encourage good competition between major & private ports. It'll boost port land usage & amplify competition in port tariffs. India's major ports will be able to survive while competing with non-major & private ports: Union Min Mansukh Mandaviya

Intelligence passenger traffic fell by 90.56% in March-Dec 2020: Govt

International passenger traffic fell by 90.56 per cent to 18.55 lakh in March-December period of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic as compared to the corresponding period of 2019, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday.

Moreover, domestic passenger traffic fell to 3.77 crore in March-December period of 2020 from 11.99 crore in the corresponding period of 2019, the minister said. (PTI)

Raw caste census data given to Social Justice Ministry for classification: Rai

The raw data of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) conducted in 2011 has been handed over to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for classification and categorisation, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the SECC was carried out by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the then Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) in rural and urban areas respectively. (PTI)

High Court monitoring CBI probe into Hathras case as directed by SC: Govt to Rajya Sabha

The Centre informed Parliament on Wednesday that the Allahabad High Court is monitoring the CBI probe into the rape-and-murder case of a 19-year-old woman in Hathras in Uttar Pradesh as directed by the Supreme Court.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said the apex court had observed that since the Uttar Pradesh police was divested of the probe and the central agency is carrying out the investigation, there would be no room for apprehensions at this stage. (PTI)

As per Constitution's 7th Schedule, 'Police' and'Public Order' are state subjects. It's for States-UTs to see provisions of law are followed in letter andspirit: MHA replies to 'whether Govt would issue instruction to all States-UTs to probe all cases of custodial deaths, encounter'. (ANI)

PM Narendra Modi will reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address at 4 pm in Lok Sabha today: PMO

You say Congress did vote-bank in budgets. What has BJP done? National highway budget for Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu. BJP does vote-bank politics in budget and 'note-bank' politics off-budget, Kapil Sibal added.

Why did you reduce the MNREGA budget by 35%? Sibal asks. The scheme was a way people could remain employed, adds Sibal.

The Budget did not include unemployment issues at all, 120 million people lost jobs during the Covid lockdown. What have you done for these people? Kapil Sibal attacks government

There are some big boys in India who own everything, there is one big boy who is everywhere, says Sibal in Rajya Sabha.

In 2018, 1% of the Indian population owned 58% of the assets and in 2019 1% population owned 73%.This is a classic case of crony capitalism. Where is the wealth of the country going? asks Congress leader Kapil Sibal in Rajya Sabha.

BJP-led government has mismanaged Indian economy in the last 5 years, says Congress leader Kapil Sibal

Are farmers protesting at the Delhi borders Atmanirbhar? Congress leader Kapil Sibal asks Modi government.

Major Port Authorities Bill passed in Rajya Sabha

RJD's Manoj Kumar Jha claims the new Ports Bill doesn't include the representation of the labour unions of the country. Adding the word labour has been removed from the new rules.

DMK's P Wilson in Rajya Sabhasays the new Ports Bill is being introduced only to benefit (Gautam) Adani. He added: BJP govt is on track to sell all the public assets built by the Congress.

He concludes that new ports were 'mushrooming like bus stands' and that private ports were affecting the flora and fauna of the region.

The Rules under The Citizenship Amendment Act are under preparation. The Committee on Subordinate Legislation, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have granted an extension up to 9th April 2021 and 9th July 20201 respectively: MoS Home Nityananda Rai.

Pilot project for new design modular fencing on Indo-Pak border in Punjab has been completed in March 2020: MoS Home Nityanand Rai in a written reply in Rajya Sabha

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Rajya Sabha says the petrol prices are subject to the international market mechanism. Congress leader, K C Venugopal says the petrol prices are 'all-time high' but international crude oil's price hasn't increased.

On one hand, some of the carriers want us to open 100% while others would like us to take it slow. Our decision to raise it beyond 80% will depend on the behaviour of the virus, saysUnion Civil Aviation Minister in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Jyotiraditya Scindia seeks government data and a 'blueprint' on the prevention of child marriage. He said many children were left out of schools due to coronavirus pandemic and that instances of child marriage had increased because of the same.

Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil in Rajya Sabha said around 400 Gujarat fishermen are jailed in Karachi, Pakistan, and seeks govt intervention.

Congress leader Jayaram Ramesh seeks 12 hours instead of 10 hours for discussion of Budget in the Rajya Sabha.

BJP MP Anil Baluni gives Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over the need for a mechanism to study glaciers to manage and prevent disasters after the glacier burst in Uttarakhand.

Rajya Sabha will first take up Major Port Authorities Bill following which Budget discussion will start.