A busy day is expected in the parliament today as lawmakers are expected to debate multiple issues, including the Triple Talaq bill in the Rajya Sabha and the Rafale deal in the Lok Sabha. The Triple Talaq bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last week. The government considered a law on it after the Supreme Court said in August last year that the traditional method of Muslim men instantly divorcing their wives by uttering Talaq thrice was “unconstitutional” and “arbitrary”.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till today after the opposition demanded for a select parliamentary committee for further scrutiny of the bill.
“We do not agree in making instant triple talaq a criminal act. This government has made repeated attempts to misuse the Supreme Court’s judgment,” Congress’s Sushmita Dey said.
During the debate, Union minister Smriti Irani said if a contract is being cancelled, it cannot be done unilaterally. And if it is cancelled, there are repercussions.
In the Lok Sabha, there is likely to be a debate on Rafale deal today. Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 are also listed for introduction in the Lok Sabha today.
The Rajya Sabha is also to discuss farmer issues.
Here are the LIVE UPDATES of the parliament proceedings:
Jan 02, 2019
14:26 (IST)
Rahul Gandhi today targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government on the Rafale jet deal, posing a series of questions that he said PM Modi had “no guts” to answer.
“The PM has no guts to come to parliament and give answers on Rafale,” the Congress president said, adding that Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was “hiding” behind AIADMK members in the house.
Jan 02, 2019
14:14 (IST)
Rahul Gandhi starts off debate in the Lok Sabha on the Rafale deal. Here are the main pointers:
- It is a tragedy that the members of the AIADMK are protecting the BJP and not letting the debate happen.
- As leader of opposition my job is to question the government.
- In an interview yesterday the PM said, no one is accusing him about Rafale.
- Everyone is asking how the PM spoke for 1 and half hours in a staged interview yet did not speak on the fundamentals of the Rafale deal.
- The Rafale aircraft was chosen after dedicated work of 8 years. The airforce wanted 126 aircrafts. Who changed the requirement of the aircraft from 126 to 36?
- Why hasn’t a single rafale aircraft landed in indian soil till today.
- Manohar Parrikar, then defence minister, himself said he has no idea about the new deal.
- Dear Prime Minister, why did you give this contract to your dear friend Anil Ambani… why did you take this contract away from HAL?
- For 5 minutes, PM cant speak on Rafale. PM does not have guts to come to Parliament and hides in his room. Defence minister hides behind AIADMK members.
- The Cabinet Committee on Security did not have any knowledge.
- Everyone knew that the UPA was to buy the aircraft at 526 crore. When PM Modi met then French President Hollande, the price of the jet went up to 1600 crore. Why did the President say that the PM told me that the price will be valid, and that the contract will be given from HAL to Mr Ambani.
- HAL making aircraft for 70 years. HAL has a tremendous record, HAL gives jobs to thousands of youngsters. On the other side, Mr Ambani is 45,000 crore in debt. He opens a company 10 days before the signing of deal.
- Mr Ambani buys a plot of land with the money given by Dassault to Ambani.
Jan 02, 2019
14:02 (IST)
Lok Sabha proceedings resume amidst sloganeering.
Jan 02, 2019
13:03 (IST)
Bills for Consideration and Passing in the Rajya Sabha:
- The National Council for Teacher
- Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018
- The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2018
- The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018
Jan 02, 2019
12:38 (IST)
In the Lok Sabha these are the bills to be tabled:
Bills to be introduced:
- The Aadhaar and other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2018
Bills for consideration and passing:
- The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018
- The New Delhi International Arbitration Bill, 2018
- The National Medical Commission Bill, 2017
Discussion under Rule 193
- Discussion on issues relating to Rafale deal
- Discussion on natural calamities in various parts of the country, particularly Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha with special reference to cyclones Gaja, Titli etc.
Jan 02, 2019
12:36 (IST)
Lok Sabha adjourns till 2 pm following continued protests.
Jan 02, 2019
12:31 (IST)
Rajya Sabha adjourned again amid sloganeering by AIADMK members and was adjourned to meet again at 2pm.
Jan 02, 2019
12:16 (IST)
Proceedings start again after adjournment. Saugata Roy, Shashi Tharoor speak in the House.
Jan 02, 2019
12:12 (IST)
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned following protests by members from the AIADMK and the TDP over various issues.
Soon after the House convened for the day, members from the AIADMK trooped into the Well protesting against construction of a dam across the Cauvery River. Many of them were also holding placards.
Later, members from the TDP also joined them. They were demanding special financial assistance for Amravati.
Around 30 members from both the parties were in the Well. As soon as the AIADMK members started their protest, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that their problem would not be solved like this and asked them to discuss the issue with the minister concerned.
“I don’t think it sends the right message to your state… this unruly behaviour must stop,” she told the protesting members.
A question related to vacancies in lower judiciary was taken up during the Question Hour, which went on for around 20 minutes.
As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till noon.
Jan 02, 2019
11:43 (IST)
Rajya Sabha also adjourned till Noon.
Jan 02, 2019
11:18 (IST)
Lok Sabha has been adjourned till 12pm over reservation in higher judiciary amid protests.
Jan 02, 2019
11:12 (IST)
Proceedings have begun in the Lok Sabha. Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks amidst loud sloganeering.
Jan 02, 2019
10:59 (IST)
Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will table the Triple Talaq bill in the Upper House. It has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, with 245 votes in favour and 11 opposing it, amid a walkout by the Opposition.
Jan 02, 2019
10:58 (IST)
Rajya Sabha had been adjourned till today amid uproar by members over the Triple Talaq bill
The Congress and other opposition parties had demanded in the Rajya Sabha that the triple talaq bill be sent to a select committee for further scrutiny, even as the government accused them of doing politics on the issue.