Parliament Monsoon Session highlights: Lok Sabha passes the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020; adjourned till 3 pm tomorrow

On the sixth day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill 2020 and the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020. The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was also on today's agenda. The Parliament is likely to adjourn a week earlier than its scheduled time amid a rise in Covid-19 cases among MPs.

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Lok Sabha passes the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020; adjourned till 3 pm tomorrow - ANI

Lok Sabha passes taxation bill; aims to provide relief in terms of compliance requirements

Lok Sabha on Saturday passed a taxation bill that seeks to provide various reliefs in terms of compliance requirements for taxpayers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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Govt proposes allowing companies with not less than 300 workers to hire and fire staff without its nod

Companies having not less than 300 workers will soon be allowed to hire and fire workers without seeking prior government permission, with the labour ministry proposing changes to rules in a bill introduced in Lok Sabha on Saturday.

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Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda to take oath as Rajya Sabha MP on Sunday

President of Indian National Congress is part of managing committee of PM National Relief Fund. With this only party, transparency is achieved? How many parties are there in India? There are thousands of parties. Is it example of transparency? Finance Minister in Lok Sabha. - ANI

Lok Sabha passes The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020 - ANI

Opposition parties question setting up of PM Cares Fund, allege it lacks transparency

Members of opposition parties like the Congress, DMK and the TMC on Saturday opposed in Lok Sabha the setting up of the PM Cares Fund, alleging that it lacked transparency.

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Govt to decide on subsidised cooking gas by BPCL before financial bid stage

The issue of continuation of cooking gas subsidy will be considered before inviting financial bids for BPCL privatisation, Parliament was informed on Saturday.

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How much loan has been taken from China since April?: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

I also want to ask our FM if it's true that you took loan from Chinese banks even after our Indian Army personnel were fighting in the Galwan valley. How much loan has been taken from China since April?: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha. - ANI

Why create parallel fund when we already have PMNRF, asks Congress MP

I want to ask our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman what is the need for creating a parallel fund when we already have PMNRF?: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha (ANI)

Are those who are demanding CAG audit for PM CARES ready for audit of trusts being managed by one family, asks Anurag Thakur

PM-CARES Fund is a public charitable trust so it was suggested that CAG audit is not required. But, those who are demanding CAG audit for this trust, are they ready for audit of all the trusts being managed by one family?: Union Minister Anurag Thakur in Lok Sabha. - ANI

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases among serving Armed Forces personnel are 22,353. As on date, a total of 41 deaths have taken place in Armed forces that can be directly ascribed to the infection: MoS for Defence Shripad Naik in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha. -ANI

No decision has been taken in this regard: MoS Defence Shripad Naik in Rajya Sabha on 'if the Ministry will consider using and selling through its stores only products being made in India in the light of PM's appeal of 'vocal for local' -ANI

PM-Cares Fund is absolutely transparent. It has been set up under the law, registered as Trust under 1908 Act: Anurag Thakur

PM-Cares Fund is absolutely transparent. It has been set up under the law, registered as Trust under 1908 Act. An independent auditor appointed, it's the same auditor who audits PM National Relief Fund. Nobody is forced to donate to this fund: Union Min Anurag Thakur in Lok Sabha

Govt introduces three labour bills in Lok Sabha

The government on Saturday introduced three bills related to labour laws, including on industrial relations, in the Lok Sabha amid opposition from the Congress and few other parties.

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Congress has called a meeting of AICC general secretaries, states incharges & members of special committee to assist interim party president Sonia Gandhi to chalk out the party's strategy on the issue of three farm bills in Parliament, in New Delhi on Monday. - ANI

More than 30 MPs have tested positive for Covid-19 since the monsoon session began on September 14

Parliament secretariat has also decided to step up testing for Covid-19 for members on a daily basis

Consensus on curtailment of monsoon session at the Business Advisory Committee meeting convened by Speaker Om Birla on Saturday evening

Parliament's Monsoon Session likely to be adjourned on Thursday, a week ahead of its scheduled time

"There is a consensus on curtailing the Parliament session. We left it to the discretion of the Speaker while adjusting business of the house," says a participant of the Parliament's Business Advisory Committee meeting

MPs of many political parties expressed willingness to curtail the ongoing session of Parliament amid Covid-19 pandemic

MPs of many political parties expressed willingness to curtail the ongoing session of Parliament amid Covid-19 pandemic. "Will ask for a curtailed session. Can't risk lives," said representatives of a political party while heading to Business Advisory Committee meeting. - ANI

2,453 incidents of ceasefire violations occurred along LoC in Jammu region: Shripad Naik

2,453 incidents of ceasefire violations occurred along LoC in Jammu region this yearfrom 1 March to 7 Sept. Also,192 cross-border firing incidents occurred along Indo-Pak IB in Jammu this yr from 1 March to 31 Aug: MoS for Defence Shripad Naik in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha

The strength of women officers serving the Indian Air Force (IAF) as on 1st September, 2020 is 1,875. Of these, 10 women officers are Fighter Pilots and 18 women officers are Navigators.

Ministry received proposal from IAF to induct women officers as fighter pilots. After approval of MoD, IAF commenced a scheme for “Induction of Women SSC officers in Fighter Stream of Flying Branch” in 2016, under which 10 women fighter pilots commissioned till date: Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

There have been 10 fatal casualties of Army personnel in cross-border firing by Pakistani forces in last six months: Shripad Naik

There have been 10 fatal casualties of Army personnel along Line of Control/International Border in cross-border firing by Pakistani forces in the last six months: Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said that farmers & farming related bills introduced by Centre in Parliament would do a lot of injustice to farm sector in country. CM said these bills are nothing but a sugar-coated pill & should be opposed at all costs: CM's Office. - ANI

Like we are talking to China to resolve issues, we need to hold talks with the other neighbour country as well. People are dying every day, border skirmishes are on a rise. We need to find some solution: Farooq Abdullah, National Conference MP in LS

No progress is taking place in Jammu & Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

No progress is taking place in Jammu & Kashmir. People there do not have access to 4G facility, how are they going to grow in the present time when the rest of the country has access to every facility on the internet: Farooq Abdullah, National Conference MP in Lok Sabha.

Farm bills undermine food security system: Congress

The farm bills brought by the government undermine the food security system, the Congress claimed on Saturday and urged opposition parties to collectively oppose the bills so that they do not become law in their present form.

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YSRCP MPs continue demonstration demanding CBI inquiry into Amaravati capital land scam

YSRCP MPs continue demonstration demanding CBI inquiry into Amaravati capital land scam

"Opposition is damaging image of Andhra. There is an SIT & a cabinet sub-committee which found some clear discrepancies. We want a probe into these" says AAR Reddy, Rajya Sabha member. - ANI

LS floor leaders may meet later in the day to discuss curtailment of session

The government is contemplating curtailing the ongoing Monsoon Session in view of the rising Covid-19 cases amongst MPs, but nothing has been finalised so far, sources said on Saturday.

The situation in Jammu & Kashmir, even after one year of abrogation of Article 370, is causing concern. We demand the release of all 230 political leaders who are still in detention in J&K: TMC MP Saugata Ray in Lok Sabha

Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar introduces New Labour Code in Lok Sabha

Opposition asks government for relief to common man on lines of pause in insolvency proceedings against firms

Opposition parties Saturday demanded in the Rajya Sabha that the government waive interest on loans to farmers and individuals for the coronavirus pandemic period on the lines of a pause in insolvency proceedings against defaulting corporates.

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Lok Sabha resumes proceedings

Shiv Sena questions Modi govt's policies, praises Vajpayee-era NDA

In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Sena said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during the time of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and senior BJP leader L K Advani was "different" as they used to "treat the NDA constituents with respect and consult with them".

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Watch the live session of Lok Sabha here

This farm bill which has been passed by the Lok Sabha is only to help the corporates. The farmers are now on a war-path. The Modi government has completely ignored the farmers of this country & now their plight is very severe: R Chennithala, Congress, Kerala Opposition Leader.

'Incidents of violence against health workers declined dramatically after ordinance'

A "dramatic" decline in the number of incidents of violence against health workers has been witnessed in the country after an ordinance was brought, making such activities a non-bailable offence, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed the Rajya Sabha on Saturday.

BJP issues three line whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs directing them to be present in the House tomorrow.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) calls for an all-party meeting on September 21 to discuss over the Farm Bill, 2020 issue.

The Farm Bills will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.

Saving lives of businesses hit by Covid-19 important: Nirmala Sitharaman

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 9 am tomorrow; Lok Sabha session to start at 3 pm

Rajya Sabha passes the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Most Rajya Sabha Opposition members back amendments in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

A majority of Rajya Sabha Opposition members Saturday supported a Bill granting interim relief to businesses from insolvency proceedings, even as some expressed fears over its possible misuse, and urged the government to also help the poor during the crisis.

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Rajya Sabha extends the timing of today's sitting till the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is passed.

No definition of epidemic in bill, Sasmit Patra points out in Rajya Sabha during the discussion on Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Parliament session may be cut short as Covid-19 cases among lawmakers rise

Parliament session that began this week is likely to be cut short after 30 lawmakers were found infected with the coronavirus, two senior parliament officials said, as the number of cases in the country rose to 53 lakh.

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'Bill an attempt to encroach states' constitutionally assigned functioning'

"You thought of healthcare workers now? Bengal has Medicare Service Prevention of Violence & Damage to Property Act 2009. What happens to it? Bill is an attempt to encroach states' constitutionally assigned functioning," said Derek O'Brien during Epidemic Diseases Amendment Bill discussion

We are still fighting people and not the disease: Manoj Kumar Jha

"We were fighting our people during March, when vegetable vendors were being assaulted. We ought to have fought Covid-19 from a scientific point of view from the very beginning," said Manoj Kumar Jha in the Rajya Sabha speaking on the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Rajya Sabha passes amendment in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

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“Centre ispaying 60% of schemes, States are paying 40% but Centre is taking all the credit… You want to manufacture a majority in states, you get excited. The centre cannot impose its will on the states. It is constitutionally wrong,” said Derek O'Brien.

Congress MP K Suresh gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over 'compensation package for families of those who died due to Covid-19, from the existing corpus of funds'.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha demanding discussion on the status of clause 6 of the Assam Accord.

Many healthcare workers including doctors, paramedics were insulted in some form or the other, due to stigma attached to Covid-19. The central government acted on this situation and found that there was a need for a law, a prohibitory mechanism against such incidents: Dr Harsh Vardhan in Rajya Sabha on the Epidemic Diseases Amendment Bill, 2020.

Rajasthan Congress leader Neeraj Dangi in his maiden speech termed the lockdown decision as a 'Tughlaqi Farmaan' in Rajya Sabha.

Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan moves motion for consideration of the Epidemic Diseases Amendment Bill, 2020.

Rajya Sabha passes the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020.

'Govt should engage with international media to build pressure on Pakistan'

A demand for the government escalating its engagements with the international media to build a global opinion against Pakistan for sponsoring cross-border terrorism and harbouring fugitives such as Dawood Ibrahim was made in the Rajya Sabha.

Through a Zero Hour mention, Sasmit Patra of the BJD said the government should also engage with the G-8 nations to increase international pressure on Pakistan just like its engagement with the US that reflected in the recent Indo-US joint asking Pakistan to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist activities.

Bills to be withdrawn in Lok Sabha:

- The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2019.

- The Industrial Relations Code, 2019.

Bills for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha today:

- The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020.

- The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Bills to be introduced in Lok Sabha:

- The Industrial Relations Code, 2020.

- The Code On Social Security, 2020.

Rajya Sabha tables the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020.

"There are 24 lakh Tuberculosis patients in India. Due to the focus on fighting Covid-19, the fight against TB has slowed down. Govt should intensify the tracking system and pay more attention to treating TB patients," said Rajya Sabha MP KJ Alphons.

During the zero-hour, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Neeraj Shekhar said in Rajya Sabha that about 20 crore people speak Bhojpuri in India and about seven to eight crore in foreign countries. "I demand inclusion of Bhojpuri in the 8th Schedule to the Constitution," he said.

"As Durga Puja is around the corner, a lot of weavers and artists may suffer income losses. Durga Puja generates income for thousands, use the Bengal model and facilitate cash transfer to all unorganised sector workers," TMC's Derek O'Brien said.

Watch the live session of Rajya Sabha here

Rajya Sabha MP Sonal Mansingh has given zero-hour notice over the demand to provide support to artists facing hardships due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Neeraj Shekhar has given zero-hour notice in Rajya Sabha over demand for inclusion of Bhojpuri in the 8th Schedule to the Constitution.

Farm ordinances to be introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Sunday

On Sunday, Narendra Singh Tomar will move that the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, in the Rajya Sabha.

Bill for consideration and passing in Rajya Sabha:

-The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020

-The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

-The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Lok Sabha passes first batch of supplementary demands for grants worth Rs 2.35 lakh crore

The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the first batch of supplementary demands for grants authorising the government to spend an additional Rs 2.35 lakh crore, mainly to meet people-centric expenditures rising out of Covid-19 pandemic.

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TMC, NCP, DMK ask govt to curtail Monsoon Session in wake of Covid-19; Govt rejects demand

At least three parties have asked the government to curtail the Monsoon Session of Parliament in the wake of increasing cases of Covid-19 cases, including MPs and Ministers testing positive for the virus infection.

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Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, one-time cash transfer of Rs. 1000 has been done for 8.3 crore poor families. In another measure, one-time cash transfer of Rs. 1000 done for 3 crore senior citizens: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha.

Govt lists 3 contentious bills in Rajya Sabha for passage on Sunday

Govt lists 3 contentious bills - Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, Farming Produce Trade & Commerce (Promotion & Facilitation) Bill, Farmers (Empowerment & Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance & Farm Services Bill - in Rajya Sabha for passage on Sunday.

Opposition wants these bills to be sent to Select Committee. Setting stage for a high-voltage proceedings, govt had told Opposition leaders in Rajya Sabha that they weren't acceding to their demands in a meeting earlier.

Good morning readers, welcome to your live coverage of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.