Seventeen Members of Parliament tested positive for coronavirus as the Parliament monsoon session began on Monday morning.

Their tests were carried out before the session started.

Among the infected MPs, the BJP has 12. The YSR Congress has two MPs, the Shiv Sena, DMK and RLP one each.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier contracted the virus. He underwent a thorough medical examination before the parliament session started.

The parliament session is being held amid physical distancing guidelines and safety measures.

Also, ahead of the session, all members were requested to get themselves tested for COVID-19.&nbsp;The Lok Sabha members were tested at the Parliament House on September 13 and 14.

Seventeen Members of Parliament tested positive for coronavirus as the Parliament monsoon session began on Monday morning. Their tests were carried out before the session started.

Seventeen Members of Parliament tested positive for coronavirus as the Parliament monsoon session began on Monday morning. Their tests were carried out before the session started. Among the infected MPs, the BJP has 12. The YSR Congress has two MPs, the Shiv Sena, DMK and RLP one each. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier contracted the virus. He underwent a thorough medical examination before the parliament session started. The parliament session is being held amid physical distancing guidelines and safety measures. Also, ahead of the session, all members were requested to get themselves tested for COVID-19. The Lok Sabha members were tested at the Parliament House on September 13 and 14.

17 Lok Sabha MPs test positive for coronavirus as Parliament session begins

Amid coronavirus outbreak, many Indians are stranded in Italy. While speaking on the issue external affair minister S Jaishankar responded in Lok Sabha. He says, ''Bhagwant Mann ji raised the issue of 30 students of Punjab who are stuck at Italy airport. I would like to tell you that there aren't only 30 students, there are many more from different parts of the country. I need to find a way of helping them & bringing them back.''

India's foreign minister response on Indian students stranded in Italy

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday informed that there is no proposal to adjourn Parliament sine die in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/76-year-old-karnataka-man-dies-could-be-indias-first-covid-19-casualty-285662">76-year-old Karnataka man dies, could be India's first COVID-19 casualty&nbsp;</a>

The number of coronavirus cases in India has gone up to 60. Out of these 60 cases, 36 are Indian citizens.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/coronavirus-india-to-send-medical-team-to-italy-eam-calls-iran-italy-extreme-situations-285607">Coronavirus: India to send medical team to Italy; EAM calls Iran, Italy extreme situations</a>

The virus has infected over 1,10,000 people worldwide spreading over to 90 countries.

The government has taken several steps to contain the virus, including suspension of all visas to India till April 15, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

People can avoid catching the virus by taking simple precautions such as washing hands with soap, using hand sanitisers, maintaining good respiratory hygiene and maintaining a distance of at least 3 feet from anyone who is coughing and sneezing.

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Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday informed that there is no proposal to adjourn Parliament sine die in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in the country. Also read: 76-year-old Karnataka man dies, could be India's first COVID-19 casualty The number of coronavirus cases in India has gone up to 60.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday informed that there is no proposal to adjourn Parliament sine die in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in the country. Also read: 76-year-old Karnataka man dies, could be India's first COVID-19 casualty The number of coronavirus cases in India has gone up to 60. Out of these 60 cases, 36 are Indian citizens. Also read: Coronavirus: India to send medical team to Italy; EAM calls Iran, Italy extreme situations The virus has infected over 1,10,000 people worldwide spreading over to 90 countries. The government has taken several steps to contain the virus, including suspension of all visas to India till April 15, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. People can avoid catching the virus by taking simple precautions such as washing hands with soap, using hand sanitisers, maintaining good respiratory hygiene and maintaining a distance of at least 3 feet from anyone who is coughing and sneezing. ×

No proposal to adjourn Parliament sine die amid coronavirus outbreak: Om Birla

The government on Wednesday said that there are over 2.4 lakh pending cases in courts related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act across the country till December last year.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-strengthens-pocso-act-approves-death-penalty-for-aggravated-sexual-assault-against-minors-187017">Government strengthens POCSO Act, approves death penalty for aggravated sexual assault against minors</a>

According to a written reply in Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Uttar Pradesh tops the list of states with 66,994 pending rape cases followed by Maharashtra with 21,691 and 20,511 in West Bengal.

"As per information received from High Courts, the status of pending cases related to rape and POCSO Act, as on December 31, 2019, is 2,44,001," Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad informed the Lower House in response to a query by Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh.

OPINION:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-rape-crisis-are-we-part-of-the-problem-267388">India rape crisis: Are we part of the problem?</a>

In furtherance to, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, a scheme was finalized for setting up of 1,023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across the country for expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases related to Rape and Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, in a time-bound manner under Centrally-Sponsored Scheme.

So far, the Central's share of funds amounting to Rs 99.43 crore has been released during 2019-20 to 27 States/UTs which have so far consented to set up of 649 number of FTSCs.

"As per information received from High Courts, 195 FTSCs have already been set up till January 31, 2020," the Ministry said. Surprisingly, not even a single FTSCs have been set up in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal where the maximum number of rape cases are pending.

According to proposed FTSCs, the&nbsp;maximum number of 218 courts will be in Uttar Pradesh, 138 in Maharashtra and 123 in West Bengal.

Andhra Pradesh will have 18, Telangana 36, Andaman and Nicobar Island 01, Arunachal Pradesh 03, Assam 27, Bihar 54, Chandigarh 01, Chhattisgarh 15, Goa 02, Gujrat 35, Haryana 16, Himachal Pradesh 06, Jammu &amp; Kashmir 04, Jharkhand 22, Karnataka 31, Kerala 56, Madhya Pradesh 67, Manipur 02, Meghalaya 05, Mizoram 03, Nagaland 01, NCT of Delhi 16, Odisha 45, Punjab 12, Rajasthan 45, Tamil Nadu 14, Tripura 03 and Uttarakhand 04 FTSCs.

In its reply, the minister said as per the scheme of FTSCs, each such Court is expected to dispose of 165 cases in a year for which States/UTs governments have been kept informed.

Among 195 Fast Track Special Courts functional and established for Women and Girl children under the Scheme of FTSCs till January 2020, 56 are in Madhya Pradesh, 15 are in Chhattisgarh, 16 in Delhi, three in Tripura, 22 in Jharkhand, 26 in Rajasthan, nine in Telangana, 34 in Gujarat and 14 in Tamil Nadu.

The government on Wednesday said that there are over 2.4 lakh pending cases in courts related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act across the country till December last year.

The government on Wednesday said that there are over 2.4 lakh pending cases in courts related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act across the country till December last year. Also read: Government strengthens POCSO Act, approves death penalty for aggravated sexual assault against minors According to a written reply in Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Uttar Pradesh tops the list of states with 66,994 pending rape cases followed by Maharashtra with 21,691 and 20,511 in West Bengal. "As per information received from High Courts, the status of pending cases related to rape and POCSO Act, as on December 31, 2019, is 2,44,001," Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad informed the Lower House in response to a query by Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh. OPINION: India rape crisis: Are we part of the problem? In furtherance to, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, a scheme was finalized for setting up of 1,023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across the country for expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases related to Rape and Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, in a time-bound manner under Centrally-Sponsored Scheme. So far, the Central's share of funds amounting to Rs 99.43 crore has been released during 2019-20 to 27 States/UTs which have so far consented to set up of 649 number of FTSCs. "As per information received from High Courts, 195 FTSCs have already been set up till January 31, 2020," the Ministry said. Surprisingly, not even a single FTSCs have been set up in states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal where the maximum number of rape cases are pending. According to proposed FTSCs, the maximum number of 218 courts will be in Uttar Pradesh, 138 in Maharashtra and 123 in West Bengal. Andhra Pradesh will have 18, Telangana 36, Andaman and Nicobar Island 01, Arunachal Pradesh 03, Assam 27, Bihar 54, Chandigarh 01, Chhattisgarh 15, Goa 02, Gujrat 35, Haryana 16, Himachal Pradesh 06, Jammu & Kashmir 04, Jharkhand 22, Karnataka 31, Kerala 56, Madhya Pradesh 67, Manipur 02, Meghalaya 05, Mizoram 03, Nagaland 01, NCT of Delhi 16, Odisha 45, Punjab 12, Rajasthan 45, Tamil Nadu 14, Tripura 03 and Uttarakhand 04 FTSCs. In its reply, the minister said as per the scheme of FTSCs, each such Court is expected to dispose of 165 cases in a year for which States/UTs governments have been kept informed. Among 195 Fast Track Special Courts functional and established for Women and Girl children under the Scheme of FTSCs till January 2020, 56 are in Madhya Pradesh, 15 are in Chhattisgarh, 16 in Delhi, three in Tripura, 22 in Jharkhand, 26 in Rajasthan, nine in Telangana, 34 in Gujarat and 14 in Tamil Nadu.

Over 2.4 lakh cases relating to rape and POCSO pending in courts across country, says Government

Indian Army "received" banned anti-aircraft ammunition worth around Rs 39 crore from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in August 2015, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) said in its latest report that was tabled in Lok Sabha.

As an accident had taken place with this ammunition "K" at Gopalpur firing range in November 2014, the Army Headquarters (AHQ) had asked the OFB to stop its production from December 2014 onward, the report noted.

This ban was lifted in September 2015 when a recommendation by a board of officers regarding improvements in the ammunition "K" were accepted by the AHQ, the CAG noted.

The AHQ, however, had "intimated" the OFB that the ammunition "K" produced between December 2014 to September 2015 will not be accepted.

According to the CAG report, which was tabled in the lower house recently, the OFB had supplied 52,369 numbers of the ammunition "K" worth around Rs 39 crore to Army's Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) in Pulgaon in August 2015, "when the ban had still not been revoked".

"The OFB justified the continuation of production even after December 2014 on the ground that ammunition were under various states of assembly or finishing i.E. Work in progress (WIP) stage as on date of receipt of AHQ's directions," the CAG report stated.

The CAG mentioned that the AHQ is reviewing use of ammunition "K" that was supplied during the ban period.

"Audit is of the view that the OFB should not have supplied ammunition during the ban period, the CAD Pulgaon should not have received the supply and, even if the supply had been received, it should have been isolated and not issued to the user units," the report stated.

The replacement of balance holding of affected ammunition "K" had not been carried out by the OFB as of July 2018, even as "three years" have passed since the CAD Pulgaon received it, the CAG noted.

"Further, the proposal for replacement by the AHQ was an indication that the same (ammunition "K") cannot be used for intended purpose," the CAG stated.&nbsp;

Indian Army "received" banned anti-aircraft ammunition worth around Rs 39 crore from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in August 2015, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) said in its latest report that was tabled in Lok Sabha.

Indian Army "received" banned anti-aircraft ammunition worth around Rs 39 crore from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in August 2015, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) said in its latest report that was tabled in Lok Sabha. As an accident had taken place with this ammunition "K" at Gopalpur firing range in November 2014, the Army Headquarters (AHQ) had asked the OFB to stop its production from December 2014 onward, the report noted. This ban was lifted in September 2015 when a recommendation by a board of officers regarding improvements in the ammunition "K" were accepted by the AHQ, the CAG noted. The AHQ, however, had "intimated" the OFB that the ammunition "K" produced between December 2014 to September 2015 will not be accepted. According to the CAG report, which was tabled in the lower house recently, the OFB had supplied 52,369 numbers of the ammunition "K" worth around Rs 39 crore to Army's Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) in Pulgaon in August 2015, "when the ban had still not been revoked". "The OFB justified the continuation of production even after December 2014 on the ground that ammunition were under various states of assembly or finishing i.E. Work in progress (WIP) stage as on date of receipt of AHQ's directions," the CAG report stated. The CAG mentioned that the AHQ is reviewing use of ammunition "K" that was supplied during the ban period. "Audit is of the view that the OFB should not have supplied ammunition during the ban period, the CAD Pulgaon should not have received the supply and, even if the supply had been received, it should have been isolated and not issued to the user units," the report stated. The replacement of balance holding of affected ammunition "K" had not been carried out by the OFB as of July 2018, even as "three years" have passed since the CAD Pulgaon received it, the CAG noted. "Further, the proposal for replacement by the AHQ was an indication that the same (ammunition "K") cannot be used for intended purpose," the CAG stated.

Army received banned anti-aircraft ammunition worth Rs 39 crore from OFB in August 2015: CAG

The Union Minister of India for Health Dr Harsh Vardhan briefs Lok Sabha over the global outbreak of Coronavirus and the steps India is taking to avert the disease. He says 'Anyone coming from China will be quarantined'.

India: Union Home Minister Harsh Vardhan briefs Lok Sabha over Coronavirus

The Indian parliament was adjourned till Monday after lawmakers nearly came to blows in the lower house after Union Minister Harsh Vardhan tried to make a statement on congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent jibe against Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Chaos in LS after Rahul Gandhi's jibe against PM Modi

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a scathing attack on the opposition over the issue of the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. While speaking inside the Lok Sabha PM Modi accused leaders of Congress Party and the Left of inciting the people at protests site.

PM Modi's Scathing Attack in Lok Sabha

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Thursday will&nbsp;file a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which has been passed by both houses of Parliament.

Four petitioners including Lok Sabha MPs Kunhalikutty PK, Navas Kani, ET Mohammed Basheer and Rajya Sabha MP Abdul Wahab of IUML will also speak to media after filing the plea.

Opposition parties and locals in northeastern states are staging protest against the passage of the CAB.

Indefinite curfew has been imposed in few districts of Assam in the wake of protests after the passage of the CAB in Rajya Sabha.

The CAB smoothly sailed through Parliament after the Rajya Sabha passed it on Wednesday. As many as 125 members of the Upper House voted in favour of the Bill while 105 MPs voted against the Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha earlier this week.

The Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Thursday will file a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which has been passed by both houses of Parliament.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Thursday will file a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which has been passed by both houses of Parliament. Four petitioners including Lok Sabha MPs Kunhalikutty PK, Navas Kani, ET Mohammed Basheer and Rajya Sabha MP Abdul Wahab of IUML will also speak to media after filing the plea. Opposition parties and locals in northeastern states are staging protest against the passage of the CAB. Indefinite curfew has been imposed in few districts of Assam in the wake of protests after the passage of the CAB in Rajya Sabha. The CAB smoothly sailed through Parliament after the Rajya Sabha passed it on Wednesday. As many as 125 members of the Upper House voted in favour of the Bill while 105 MPs voted against the Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha earlier this week. The Bill seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

IUML to file plea in Supreme Court against Citizenship Amendment Bill

A bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday to amend an existing law concerning the welfare of senior citizens and parents and expand some existing definitions such as maintenance, welfare, children and parents.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot.

The Bill seeks to amend the Senior Citizens Act" <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/with-no-aadhaar-card-old-age-home-inmates-denied-pension-32272">Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007</a>.

It provides for the registration of senior citizens care homes and home-care service agencies and minimum standards for senior citizen care homes.&nbsp;

A bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday to amend an existing law concerning the welfare of senior citizens and parents and expand some existing definitions such as maintenance, welfare, children and parents.

A bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday to amend an existing law concerning the welfare of senior citizens and parents and expand some existing definitions such as maintenance, welfare, children and parents. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot. The Bill seeks to amend the Senior Citizens Act" Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. It provides for the registration of senior citizens care homes and home-care service agencies and minimum standards for senior citizen care homes.

Bill introduced in Lok Sabha to amend Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act

A bill that aims to consolidate social security laws, especially pertaining to the Employees Provident Fund Act of 1952 was introduced in Lok Sabha today.

''The Code on Social Security Bill 2019'' was introduced by Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar.&nbsp;

Many opposition members, including Revolutionary Socialist Party's NK Premachandran, opposed its introduction.&nbsp;

The bill is intended to subsume eight central laws, and shall apply to all workers, even in the unorganised sector.&nbsp;

The bill was approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this month.

(With inputs from ANI) 
&nbsp;

A bill that aims to consolidate social security laws, especially pertaining to the Employees Provident Fund Act of 1952 was introduced in Lok Sabha today. ''The Code on Social Security Bill 2019'' was introduced by Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar.

A bill that aims to consolidate social security laws, especially pertaining to the Employees Provident Fund Act of 1952 was introduced in Lok Sabha today. ''The Code on Social Security Bill 2019'' was introduced by Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar. Many opposition members, including Revolutionary Socialist Party's NK Premachandran, opposed its introduction. The bill is intended to subsume eight central laws, and shall apply to all workers, even in the unorganised sector. The bill was approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this month. (With inputs from ANI)

Code on Social Security Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up for discussion a Bill to extend the reservation for SCs and STs in the Lower House and state assemblies by ten years with Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad urging the members to pass the legislation unanimously to convey its commitment to ensuring the welfare of these sections. 
 
Moving the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2019, for passage in the Lok Sabha, Prasad said that the Constitution makers had thought it necessary to give political reservation to SCs and STs. The Bill seeks to extend the reservation in legislatures by ten years. 
 
Prasad said that there was also a provision of reservation for Anglo-Indians but the government had not brought it to the House and "was deliberating on it". 
According to the 2011 census, there were 296 members of the Anglo-Indian community, the minister said. 
 
With opposition members raising questions on the government's move, Prasad said that the Congress in the past had ended concessions given to them in postal department and railways. 
 
He said opposition members should do their "homework" before raising an issue. "We have not closed the doors," the minister said. 
 
Prasad said that it was decided to provide reservations to SCs and STs in proportion to their population in state assemblies. 
 
The minister outlined that the reservation was given to make up for the discrimination these communities had suffered due to prevalent social evils in the Hindu community. "If they faced discrimination for historical reasons, it is the constitutional duty of Parliament (to provide reservation)," he said. 
 
Prasad informed the House that 84 of 543 seats in Lok Sabha were reserved for SCs and 47 for STs. In states, he said, 614 of 4,120 seats were reserved for SCs. 
 
The minister said the SC population was 20.6 crore and ST population was 10.45 crore, according to 2011 census. 
 
Prasad noted that there was a need for the Bill to be brought as the reservation for SCs and STs will end on January 25, 2020.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up for discussion a Bill to extend the reservation for SCs and STs in the Lower House and state assemblies by ten years with Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad urging the members to pass the legislation unanimously to convey its commitment to ensuring the welfare of these sections.

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up for discussion a Bill to extend the reservation for SCs and STs in the Lower House and state assemblies by ten years with Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad urging the members to pass the legislation unanimously to convey its commitment to ensuring the welfare of these sections. Moving the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Bill, 2019, for passage in the Lok Sabha, Prasad said that the Constitution makers had thought it necessary to give political reservation to SCs and STs. The Bill seeks to extend the reservation in legislatures by ten years. Prasad said that there was also a provision of reservation for Anglo-Indians but the government had not brought it to the House and "was deliberating on it". According to the 2011 census, there were 296 members of the Anglo-Indian community, the minister said. With opposition members raising questions on the government's move, Prasad said that the Congress in the past had ended concessions given to them in postal department and railways. He said opposition members should do their "homework" before raising an issue. "We have not closed the doors," the minister said. Prasad said that it was decided to provide reservations to SCs and STs in proportion to their population in state assemblies. The minister outlined that the reservation was given to make up for the discrimination these communities had suffered due to prevalent social evils in the Hindu community. "If they faced discrimination for historical reasons, it is the constitutional duty of Parliament (to provide reservation)," he said. Prasad informed the House that 84 of 543 seats in Lok Sabha were reserved for SCs and 47 for STs. In states, he said, 614 of 4,120 seats were reserved for SCs. The minister said the SC population was 20.6 crore and ST population was 10.45 crore, according to 2011 census. Prasad noted that there was a need for the Bill to be brought as the reservation for SCs and STs will end on January 25, 2020.

Lok Sabha takes up bill to extend political reservations to SCs, STs

The All India United Democratic Front, an Assam-based political party, protested against the controversial <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/citizenship-amendment-bill-tabled-in-lok-sabha-267128">Citizenship (Amendment) Bill</a>, 2019 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday.

Protestors marched with placards that read, `We oppose CAB` and `CAB is against the idea of India`.

"The Centre is trying to get illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into our state. We are against this Bill, and we will keep protesting against the Bill. The government can pass it but we will not let it be enforced into Assam," Nizamuddin Choudhury, a party legislator, told ANI.

"The CAB should be abolished because it is against our constitution. This is a religious bill, which violates the Assam Accord signed in 1985," said Sujabuddin Lashkar, a protestor.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, that seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, was tabled in Lok Sabha on Monday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Citizenship Amendment Bill tabled in Lok Sabha

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If passed, the legislation will enable Indian citizenship to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, facing religious persecution and put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country.

The Bill has evoked mixed reactions from various sections of the society and the political parties. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, had on Sunday said that the party will oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill "tooth and nail" in Parliament, calling it "violation" of the Indian Constitution.

Several Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Gaurav Gogoi and AK Antony had taken part in the meeting held at Gandhi`s residence late on Sunday.

Apart from this, several students and indigenous people`s rights organisations such as the All Assam Students` Union and the Indigenous People`s Front of Tripura , through marches and calling for strikes, have also carried out protests against the CAB.

The Bill was passed by the Lower House of the Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha.

The All India United Democratic Front, an Assam-based political party, protested against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday.

The All India United Democratic Front, an Assam-based political party, protested against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday. Protestors marched with placards that read, `We oppose CAB` and `CAB is against the idea of India`. "The Centre is trying to get illegal Bangladeshi immigrants into our state. We are against this Bill, and we will keep protesting against the Bill. The government can pass it but we will not let it be enforced into Assam," Nizamuddin Choudhury, a party legislator, told ANI. "The CAB should be abolished because it is against our constitution. This is a religious bill, which violates the Assam Accord signed in 1985," said Sujabuddin Lashkar, a protestor. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, that seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, was tabled in Lok Sabha on Monday by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Also Watch: Citizenship Amendment Bill tabled in Lok Sabha × If passed, the legislation will enable Indian citizenship to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, facing religious persecution and put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country. The Bill has evoked mixed reactions from various sections of the society and the political parties. Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, had on Sunday said that the party will oppose the Citizenship Amendment Bill "tooth and nail" in Parliament, calling it "violation" of the Indian Constitution. Several Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Gaurav Gogoi and AK Antony had taken part in the meeting held at Gandhi`s residence late on Sunday. Apart from this, several students and indigenous people`s rights organisations such as the All Assam Students` Union and the Indigenous People`s Front of Tripura , through marches and calling for strikes, have also carried out protests against the CAB. The Bill was passed by the Lower House of the Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha.

Assam's AIUDF protests against Citizenship Amendment Bill in Delhi

To protest against the passage of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-votes-in-favour-of-introduction-of-citizenship-amendment-bill-267153">Citizenship (Amendment) Bill</a>, many districts in Assam on Monday observed a 12 hour-shutdown and demonstrations were held in the several cities of the state.

Dirugarh, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's constituency also participated in the shutdown.

All shops, markets remain closed and only a few people were seen out on the roads. Some protesters burnt rubber tyres but were soon detained by the police.

In Golaghat, some locals protested half-naked against the bill. Later, police resorted to lathi-charge in order to disperse the crowd.

Security forces have been deployed in many areas to keep the situation under control and avoid any untoward situation.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Union Home Minister Amit Shah today introduced the bill in Lok Sabha.

The Citizenship Amend Bill, 2019 was introduced after a division with 293 members voting in favour of the bill and 82 against it.

Through this bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country.

The Bill was passed by the Lower House of the Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha during the first term of the Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/saarc-needs-greater-collaboration-to-act-against-terrorism-pm-narendra-modi-266951">Narendra Modi</a> government in the Centre.

To protest against the passage of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, many districts in Assam on Monday observed a 12 hour-shutdown and demonstrations were held in the several cities of the state.

To protest against the passage of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, many districts in Assam on Monday observed a 12 hour-shutdown and demonstrations were held in the several cities of the state. Dirugarh, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's constituency also participated in the shutdown. All shops, markets remain closed and only a few people were seen out on the roads. Some protesters burnt rubber tyres but were soon detained by the police. In Golaghat, some locals protested half-naked against the bill. Later, police resorted to lathi-charge in order to disperse the crowd. Security forces have been deployed in many areas to keep the situation under control and avoid any untoward situation. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to grant Indian citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Union Home Minister Amit Shah today introduced the bill in Lok Sabha. The Citizenship Amend Bill, 2019 was introduced after a division with 293 members voting in favour of the bill and 82 against it. Through this bill, Indian citizenship will be provided to the members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from the three countries to India till December 31, 2014, to put an end to them being treated as illegal immigrants in the country. The Bill was passed by the Lower House of the Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha during the first term of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government in the Centre.

Shutdown, protests in Assam against Citizenship Amendment Bill

In India, Citizenship Amendment Bill tabled in Lok Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah seeks to get majority votes.

INDIA: Citizenship Amendment Bill tabled in Lok Sabha

The Citizenship Amendment Bill and Personal Data Protection Bill are likely to be taken up for passage in the Lok Sabha next week.

The government announced on Friday that the two Bills are on its agenda for the remaining period of the winter session of parliament, which concludes on December 13.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, informed the Lok Sabha of the agenda for the remaining period of winter session.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill and Personal Data Protection Bill will be first introduced in Parliament and then taken up for consideration and passage.

The other bills on the agenda include The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and The International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019.

This Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed by the Lower House of the Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha.

If and when passed by Parliament, it will amend the Citizenship Act of 1955 introducing exceptional provisions for acquiring citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill and Personal Data Protection Bill are likely to be taken up for passage in the Lok Sabha next week. The government announced on Friday that the two Bills are on its agenda for the remaining period of the winter session of parliament, which concludes on December 13.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill and Personal Data Protection Bill are likely to be taken up for passage in the Lok Sabha next week. The government announced on Friday that the two Bills are on its agenda for the remaining period of the winter session of parliament, which concludes on December 13. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, informed the Lok Sabha of the agenda for the remaining period of winter session. The Citizenship Amendment Bill and Personal Data Protection Bill will be first introduced in Parliament and then taken up for consideration and passage. The other bills on the agenda include The Arms (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and The International Financial Services Centres Authority Bill, 2019. This Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed by the Lower House of the Parliament earlier this year but lapsed with the term of the previous Lok Sabha. If and when passed by Parliament, it will amend the Citizenship Act of 1955 introducing exceptional provisions for acquiring citizenship for non-Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Lok Sabha may take up Citizenship Amendment Bill next week

Lok Sabha speaker, OM Birla on Friday all MPs to take a pledge against&nbsp;single-use plastic as he said that "if the MPs of India take this resolution then the message will be spread among 130 crore people of our country."

Speaking in the lower house of the Parliament, OM Birla said, "This House represents 130 crore people and I think the entire House will agree with the fact that single-use plastic should be stopped. If the MPs of India take this resolution then the message will be spread among 130 crore people of our country."

Extending his support to the idea, environment minister Prakash Javadekar lauded the proposal.&nbsp;

The latest appeal by Lok Sabha Speaker comes a day after, Kerala Government decided to ban the manufacturing, sale and storage of single-use plastic products from January 1, 2020.

As per the decision, plastic manufacturers, wholesalers and small sellers who violate the law can be fined Rs 10,000 for the first time and Rs 25,000 for violating the law again.

Concerns are growing worldwide about plastic pollution, with a particular focus on the oceans, where nearly 50 per cent of single-use plastic products end up, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, studies show.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech had called on countrymen to shun single-use plastic such as cups, straws, plastic bags.

A pan India ban was also proposed but the plans have been delayed for next year after considering its impact on industries who are heavily dependent on single-use plastic.

The European Union plans to ban single-use plastic items such as straws, forks, knives and cotton buds by 2021.

China's commercial hub of Shanghai is gradually reining in use of single-use plastics in catering, and its island province of Hainan has already vowed to completely eliminate single-use plastic by 2025.

Lok Sabha speaker, OM Birla on Friday all MPs to take a pledge against single-use plastic as he said that "if the MPs of India take this resolution then the message will be spread among 130 crore people of our country.

Lok Sabha speaker, OM Birla on Friday all MPs to take a pledge against single-use plastic as he said that "if the MPs of India take this resolution then the message will be spread among 130 crore people of our country." Speaking in the lower house of the Parliament, OM Birla said, "This House represents 130 crore people and I think the entire House will agree with the fact that single-use plastic should be stopped. If the MPs of India take this resolution then the message will be spread among 130 crore people of our country." Extending his support to the idea, environment minister Prakash Javadekar lauded the proposal. The latest appeal by Lok Sabha Speaker comes a day after, Kerala Government decided to ban the manufacturing, sale and storage of single-use plastic products from January 1, 2020. As per the decision, plastic manufacturers, wholesalers and small sellers who violate the law can be fined Rs 10,000 for the first time and Rs 25,000 for violating the law again. Concerns are growing worldwide about plastic pollution, with a particular focus on the oceans, where nearly 50 per cent of single-use plastic products end up, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, studies show. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech had called on countrymen to shun single-use plastic such as cups, straws, plastic bags. A pan India ban was also proposed but the plans have been delayed for next year after considering its impact on industries who are heavily dependent on single-use plastic. The European Union plans to ban single-use plastic items such as straws, forks, knives and cotton buds by 2021. China's commercial hub of Shanghai is gradually reining in use of single-use plastics in catering, and its island province of Hainan has already vowed to completely eliminate single-use plastic by 2025.

In bid to encourage people, Lok Sabha Speaker asks all MPs to shun single-use plastic

A petition was filed in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/make-new-law-regarding-entry-of-women-into-sabarimala-temple-supreme-court-263366">Supreme Court</a> on Wednesday seeking a direction to the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the 17th Lok Sabha election results for discrepancies.

The petition filed by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Common Cause submitted that they are not challenging the final result of the 2019 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ten-agencies-allowed-to-intercept-information-government-in-lok-sabha-on-pegasus-whatsapp-row-263323">Lok Sabha</a> elections.

"However, the issues and irregularities that arose in the conduct of the election are being cited as arguments for seeking the prayers sought in the petition for effectuating free and fair elections, the survival of democracy and for the enforcement of fundamental rights," the petition stated.

The BJP-led NDA government had returned to a thumping majority in the elections. 
The petitioner also sought a direction to the poll body to conduct actual and accurate reconciliation of data before declaring any election result.

"That in order to uphold and preserve the sanctity of elections, it is undeniably imperative that election results are accurate. The entire electoral process is damaged if elections are not credible even in the absence of a demonstrable scam," the plea said. 
The petition was filed to ensure that the democratic process is not subverted by electoral irregularities, it stated.

The petition cited a letter written by former IAS officer Kannan Gopinath to the Chief Election Commissioner regarding serious loopholes and vulnerabilities in the use of VVPAT machines which made EVMs susceptible to potential hacking.

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking a direction to the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the 17th Lok Sabha election results for discrepancies.

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday seeking a direction to the Election Commission (EC) to investigate the 17th Lok Sabha election results for discrepancies. The petition filed by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Common Cause submitted that they are not challenging the final result of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. "However, the issues and irregularities that arose in the conduct of the election are being cited as arguments for seeking the prayers sought in the petition for effectuating free and fair elections, the survival of democracy and for the enforcement of fundamental rights," the petition stated. The BJP-led NDA government had returned to a thumping majority in the elections. The petitioner also sought a direction to the poll body to conduct actual and accurate reconciliation of data before declaring any election result. "That in order to uphold and preserve the sanctity of elections, it is undeniably imperative that election results are accurate. The entire electoral process is damaged if elections are not credible even in the absence of a demonstrable scam," the plea said. The petition was filed to ensure that the democratic process is not subverted by electoral irregularities, it stated. The petition cited a letter written by former IAS officer Kannan Gopinath to the Chief Election Commissioner regarding serious loopholes and vulnerabilities in the use of VVPAT machines which made EVMs susceptible to potential hacking.

Petition in Supreme Court seeks probe into Lok Sabha election results

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday extended the day's proceedings of the Lower House of the Parliament by half-an-hour over the debate on air pollution.

The Lok Sabha Speaker today expressed displeasure over the absence of Parliament officers and staff during important discussions or sittings in the House. He has also issued a notice to them asking for a reply.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gautam Gambhir said, "The topic of discussion is something that affects everyone irrespective of our caste, creed, age and religion. It's affecting us while we stand and talk about it in Parliament. It's high time we stop politicising this issue."

"The state is that of a climate emergency - Delhi is the worst affected. The state can no longer get away with gimmick like Odd-Even and banning construction sites. We need long term sustainable solutions and stop the blame game. It's time to own up and act responsibly," he added.

On the issue of stubble burning, Gambhir said, "We have to devise a strategy for representatives of various states to work together to solve this crisis. Merely penalizing farmers for burning their crops will not be enough. We have to start exploring innovative ways."

BJP MPs Ramesh Bidhuri and Hans Raj Hans did not attend the debate over air pollution in the Lok Sabha, while Union Minister and MP Harsh Vardhan was speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019.

During the debate, BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said that all that he has given to Delhi for free is pollution.

"For the last 4.5 years, the Delhi Chief Minister kept saying that the Prime Minister doesn't let him work, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor doesn't let him work. In the last six months everyone is letting him work, he is distributing everything for free," Verma said.

"Aaj jo usne (Delhi Chief Minister) Delhi ko diya hai ki 5 saal pehle akela Delhi Chief Minister khaasta tha, aaj poori Dilli khaas rahi hai. All he has given to Delhi for free is pollution," he added. 
After days of 'severe' and 'very poor' air quality, Delhi and its nearby areas witnessed a change with AQI improving to the 'poor' category on Tuesday.

Today, the overall air quality of Delhi was recorded at 218, with PM 10 at 155 and PM 2.5 at 67.&nbsp;

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday extended the day's proceedings of the Lower House of the Parliament by half-an-hour over the debate on air pollution. The Lok Sabha Speaker today expressed displeasure over the absence of Parliament officers and staff during important discussions or sittings in the House.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday extended the day's proceedings of the Lower House of the Parliament by half-an-hour over the debate on air pollution. The Lok Sabha Speaker today expressed displeasure over the absence of Parliament officers and staff during important discussions or sittings in the House. He has also issued a notice to them asking for a reply. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Gautam Gambhir said, "The topic of discussion is something that affects everyone irrespective of our caste, creed, age and religion. It's affecting us while we stand and talk about it in Parliament. It's high time we stop politicising this issue." "The state is that of a climate emergency - Delhi is the worst affected. The state can no longer get away with gimmick like Odd-Even and banning construction sites. We need long term sustainable solutions and stop the blame game. It's time to own up and act responsibly," he added. On the issue of stubble burning, Gambhir said, "We have to devise a strategy for representatives of various states to work together to solve this crisis. Merely penalizing farmers for burning their crops will not be enough. We have to start exploring innovative ways." BJP MPs Ramesh Bidhuri and Hans Raj Hans did not attend the debate over air pollution in the Lok Sabha, while Union Minister and MP Harsh Vardhan was speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019. During the debate, BJP MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma slammed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and said that all that he has given to Delhi for free is pollution. "For the last 4.5 years, the Delhi Chief Minister kept saying that the Prime Minister doesn't let him work, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor doesn't let him work. In the last six months everyone is letting him work, he is distributing everything for free," Verma said. "Aaj jo usne (Delhi Chief Minister) Delhi ko diya hai ki 5 saal pehle akela Delhi Chief Minister khaasta tha, aaj poori Dilli khaas rahi hai. All he has given to Delhi for free is pollution," he added. After days of 'severe' and 'very poor' air quality, Delhi and its nearby areas witnessed a change with AQI improving to the 'poor' category on Tuesday. Today, the overall air quality of Delhi was recorded at 218, with PM 10 at 155 and PM 2.5 at 67.

Lok Sabha extended for half-an-hour over air pollution debate

Central government on Tuesday informed Lok Sabha on that it has issued advisories to state and UTs to take measures to curb incidents of mob lynching in the country.

In reply to CPI MPs K Subbarayan and M Selvaraj's questions, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the House that it has sensitised people through audiovisual media to check false news and rumours that could incite mob violence on the Supreme Court's directions.

The Supreme Court, in July 2018, passed a slew of directions for the Centre and states to curb incident of mob lynching in the country. The court had also recommended that Parliament enacts a separate law to check and punish the perpetrators of such crimes.

"In pursuance to the Hon'ble Supreme Court's Judgment dated 17.07.2018, advisories dated 23.07.2018 and 25.09.2018 were issued to the State Governments and Union Territory

Administrations for taking measures to curb incidents of mob lynching in the country. The Government through audio-visual media has also generated public awareness to curb the menace of mob lynching," the answer read.

It further said, "The government has also sensitised the service providers to take steps to check the propagation of false news and rumours having potential to incite the mob 
violence and lynching."

The government also informed Lok Sabha that Rajasthan and Manipur have passed bills to check the crime that are "reserved by the Governor for consideration of the President". 
Several people have been killed in different incidents of mob lynching in many states over the years.

Central government on Tuesday informed Lok Sabha on that it has issued advisories to state and UTs to take measures to curb incidents of mob lynching in the country.

Central government on Tuesday informed Lok Sabha on that it has issued advisories to state and UTs to take measures to curb incidents of mob lynching in the country. In reply to CPI MPs K Subbarayan and M Selvaraj's questions, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the House that it has sensitised people through audiovisual media to check false news and rumours that could incite mob violence on the Supreme Court's directions. The Supreme Court, in July 2018, passed a slew of directions for the Centre and states to curb incident of mob lynching in the country. The court had also recommended that Parliament enacts a separate law to check and punish the perpetrators of such crimes. "In pursuance to the Hon'ble Supreme Court's Judgment dated 17.07.2018, advisories dated 23.07.2018 and 25.09.2018 were issued to the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for taking measures to curb incidents of mob lynching in the country. The Government through audio-visual media has also generated public awareness to curb the menace of mob lynching," the answer read. It further said, "The government has also sensitised the service providers to take steps to check the propagation of false news and rumours having potential to incite the mob violence and lynching." The government also informed Lok Sabha that Rajasthan and Manipur have passed bills to check the crime that are "reserved by the Governor for consideration of the President". Several people have been killed in different incidents of mob lynching in many states over the years.

Issued advisories to state, UTs to take measures to curb mob lynching: Centre informs Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will hold a meeting on Saturday with the leaders of all parties in the House for the smooth functioning of Parliament during the winter session which is beginning from Monday. 
 
The meeting will be held in the Parliament Library Building at 3.30 pm. 
 
While the government is expected to lay thrust on its legislative agenda during the meeting, the opposition parties are likely to raise the issues of their concern during the session which will continue till December 13. 
 
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will also convene an all-party meeting on November 17. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government is expected to take forward its legislative agenda during the session including several bills. 
 
Among the bills expected to be taken up is on regularising 1,728 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. A bill to penalise people who assault doctors on duty may also be brought in the session. 
 
The government will also bring bills to replace two ordinances on&nbsp;corporate tax rate cuts and ban on e-cigarettes. 
 
It will be the second session since Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to the office with a bigger majority for a second successive term.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will hold a meeting on Saturday with the leaders of all parties in the House for the smooth functioning of Parliament during the winter session which is beginning from Monday.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will hold a meeting on Saturday with the leaders of all parties in the House for the smooth functioning of Parliament during the winter session which is beginning from Monday. The meeting will be held in the Parliament Library Building at 3.30 pm. While the government is expected to lay thrust on its legislative agenda during the meeting, the opposition parties are likely to raise the issues of their concern during the session which will continue till December 13. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi will also convene an all-party meeting on November 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government is expected to take forward its legislative agenda during the session including several bills. Among the bills expected to be taken up is on regularising 1,728 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. A bill to penalise people who assault doctors on duty may also be brought in the session. The government will also bring bills to replace two ordinances on corporate tax rate cuts and ban on e-cigarettes. It will be the second session since Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to the office with a bigger majority for a second successive term.

Lok Sabha speaker to chair all-party meeting in anticipation of Parliament's winter session

Giving a new ambience and aesthetics to the nation's biggest temple of democracy -- Parliament -- its exterior has been installed with permanent colourful lights ahead of the 73rd Independence Day celebrations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/my-upbringing-does-not-allow-me-to-take-a-life-pm-modi-to-bear-grylls-on-fighting-a-tiger-241981">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> will inaugurate it at around 7:15 pm on Tuesday.

Lok Sabha Speaker, Vice Chairman of Rajya Sabha, cabinet minister and MPs will be present on the occasion.

These LED lights frequently change its colour making the Parliament House look more grandeur. Earlier, similar such light has been installed in South Block and North Block.

The LED lights used are environment-friendly and electricity saving lights. These lights are also installed in Parliament library and Parliament Annexure building.

In total 875 lights are installed for beautification.

The lighting installed in the Parliament House will be permanent.

Earlier, the Parliament House was decorated on special occasions such as on Independence Day, Republic Day and Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, but now it has been installed with permanent lights.

Giving a new ambience and aesthetics to the nation's biggest temple of democracy -- Parliament -- its exterior has been installed with permanent colourful lights ahead of the 73rd Independence Day celebrations.

Giving a new ambience and aesthetics to the nation's biggest temple of democracy -- Parliament -- its exterior has been installed with permanent colourful lights ahead of the 73rd Independence Day celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate it at around 7:15 pm on Tuesday. Lok Sabha Speaker, Vice Chairman of Rajya Sabha, cabinet minister and MPs will be present on the occasion. These LED lights frequently change its colour making the Parliament House look more grandeur. Earlier, similar such light has been installed in South Block and North Block. The LED lights used are environment-friendly and electricity saving lights. These lights are also installed in Parliament library and Parliament Annexure building. In total 875 lights are installed for beautification. The lighting installed in the Parliament House will be permanent. Earlier, the Parliament House was decorated on special occasions such as on Independence Day, Republic Day and Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, but now it has been installed with permanent lights.

PM Modi will inaugurate permanent lighting in Parliament House

While everyone has been talking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on August 8, it would be quite remiss if we did not pay tribute to his trusted deputy, India’s second most powerful man, Amit Anilchandra Shah.&nbsp;

A decisive, competent, and some would say, ruthless leader, Shah has come a long way from being forcibly evicted and exiled from his native Gujarat on October 30, 2010. Justice Aftab Alam had admitted a weekend petition at his official residence on a Saturday to kick out Shah. This even after the Gujarat High Court had granted Shah bail the previous day in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh murder case. Resigning as Gujarat’s Home Minister, it must have been terribly humiliating for Shah and his wife to shift to one room in Gujarat Bhavan, New Delhi.&nbsp;

In 2002, after winning from Sarkhej in the Gujarat Assembly elections, Shah had not only become one of the youngest ministers in the then Gujarat Chief Minister Modi’s Cabinet, but held several portfolios, in addition to Home. His meteoric rise in national politics, winning election after election for Modi and the BJP, was perhaps the unexpected fallout of this unsavoury and forced ejection from Gujarat. Needless to say, Shah has never looked back. Is it poetic justice or sweet revenge that today he commands India’s Home Ministry after once being evicted from the same ministry in his native state?

Just over two months into his tenure, Shah has dealt one of the greatest and boldest political blows to separatism and turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir. Of course, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Home Minister Amit Shah are working in tandem with perfect coordination and understanding. However, while we have seen Narendra Modi’s leadership and genius at work on numerous occasions, Shah has operated mostly behind the scenes as an organization builder, leader of the party rank and file, master strategist, and election-winning machine.&nbsp;

Now, Shah has proved that he can excel in his new role as Member of Parliament and Home Minister too. From being &nbsp;BJP party president and Modi’s right-hand man, Shah has now emerged as a leader in his own right. The manner in which he introduced and ensured the passage of the amendment to Article 370 in the Parliament through a presidential ordinance was extraordinary. This was a no less than a constitutional and legislative than a political coup, the credit for which should go in large measure to Shah.

Both before and after the abrogation of the special provisions given to Jammu and Kashmir in Article 370, there has been a tremendous build-up of negative propaganda in India and abroad. It almost seemed that a coordinated effort by the Valley politicians was supported by lobbies of journalists, intellectuals and government critics. Yet hardly any of those following the developments would have had a clue of the swift, sudden, and definitive manner with which history was going to be rewritten in India, the shape of Jammu &amp; Kashmir altered, the state bifurcated into two Union Territories.

Shah pulled this off practically overnight in a manner so deft and legally astute that it took even the government’s severest opponents by surprise. First, Amit Shah displayed his political acumen and resolve in Parliament, then followed this with an unprecedented alteration in both the history and geography of India through a Presidential order. The troops build-up, preventive detentions, cancellation of Amarnath yatra, elimination of intruders on the border, and several similar measures, not only took the enemies of India by surprise but also local naysayers and teeth-gnashers.&nbsp;

Making Jammu &amp; Kashmir a Union Territory rather than a state is Amit Shah’s masterstroke. Now it comes directly in the orbit of the central government i.e. his own Home Ministry rather than the widely regarded as corruptible J&amp;K police and already corrupted local political leadership. At long last, with Amit Shah as our Home Minister, we can expect radical changes on the ground, not just pious talk.

Of course, this is only the beginning. The success of the move must be ensured by careful monitoring of the border as well as measures taken in the two new Union Territories to prevent a recurrence of separatism and violence in the state. This is no doubt a great challenge but not one that is not impossible to overcome for the determined, in addition to resourceful, leadership of Modi and Shah.

After his remarkable intervention in Jammu and Kashmir, the next challenge for Shah is the Ram Janmabhumi-Babri Masjid imbroglio. But, by now there should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that the only Loh Purush (iron man) that India has produced after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-the-rise-of-amit-shah-as-india-s-new-loh-purush-2780451">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

While everyone has been talking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on August 8, it would be quite remiss if we did not pay tribute to his trusted deputy, India’s second most powerful man, Amit Anilchandra Shah.

While everyone has been talking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on August 8, it would be quite remiss if we did not pay tribute to his trusted deputy, India’s second most powerful man, Amit Anilchandra Shah. A decisive, competent, and some would say, ruthless leader, Shah has come a long way from being forcibly evicted and exiled from his native Gujarat on October 30, 2010. Justice Aftab Alam had admitted a weekend petition at his official residence on a Saturday to kick out Shah. This even after the Gujarat High Court had granted Shah bail the previous day in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh murder case. Resigning as Gujarat’s Home Minister, it must have been terribly humiliating for Shah and his wife to shift to one room in Gujarat Bhavan, New Delhi. In 2002, after winning from Sarkhej in the Gujarat Assembly elections, Shah had not only become one of the youngest ministers in the then Gujarat Chief Minister Modi’s Cabinet, but held several portfolios, in addition to Home. His meteoric rise in national politics, winning election after election for Modi and the BJP, was perhaps the unexpected fallout of this unsavoury and forced ejection from Gujarat. Needless to say, Shah has never looked back. Is it poetic justice or sweet revenge that today he commands India’s Home Ministry after once being evicted from the same ministry in his native state? Just over two months into his tenure, Shah has dealt one of the greatest and boldest political blows to separatism and turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir. Of course, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Home Minister Amit Shah are working in tandem with perfect coordination and understanding. However, while we have seen Narendra Modi’s leadership and genius at work on numerous occasions, Shah has operated mostly behind the scenes as an organization builder, leader of the party rank and file, master strategist, and election-winning machine. Now, Shah has proved that he can excel in his new role as Member of Parliament and Home Minister too. From being BJP party president and Modi’s right-hand man, Shah has now emerged as a leader in his own right. The manner in which he introduced and ensured the passage of the amendment to Article 370 in the Parliament through a presidential ordinance was extraordinary. This was a no less than a constitutional and legislative than a political coup, the credit for which should go in large measure to Shah. Both before and after the abrogation of the special provisions given to Jammu and Kashmir in Article 370, there has been a tremendous build-up of negative propaganda in India and abroad. It almost seemed that a coordinated effort by the Valley politicians was supported by lobbies of journalists, intellectuals and government critics. Yet hardly any of those following the developments would have had a clue of the swift, sudden, and definitive manner with which history was going to be rewritten in India, the shape of Jammu & Kashmir altered, the state bifurcated into two Union Territories. Shah pulled this off practically overnight in a manner so deft and legally astute that it took even the government’s severest opponents by surprise. First, Amit Shah displayed his political acumen and resolve in Parliament, then followed this with an unprecedented alteration in both the history and geography of India through a Presidential order. The troops build-up, preventive detentions, cancellation of Amarnath yatra, elimination of intruders on the border, and several similar measures, not only took the enemies of India by surprise but also local naysayers and teeth-gnashers. Making Jammu & Kashmir a Union Territory rather than a state is Amit Shah’s masterstroke. Now it comes directly in the orbit of the central government i.e. his own Home Ministry rather than the widely regarded as corruptible J&K police and already corrupted local political leadership. At long last, with Amit Shah as our Home Minister, we can expect radical changes on the ground, not just pious talk. Of course, this is only the beginning. The success of the move must be ensured by careful monitoring of the border as well as measures taken in the two new Union Territories to prevent a recurrence of separatism and violence in the state. This is no doubt a great challenge but not one that is not impossible to overcome for the determined, in addition to resourceful, leadership of Modi and Shah. After his remarkable intervention in Jammu and Kashmir, the next challenge for Shah is the Ram Janmabhumi-Babri Masjid imbroglio. But, by now there should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that the only Loh Purush (iron man) that India has produced after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is Amitbhai Anilchandra Shah. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The rise of Amit Shah as India's new 'Loh Purush'

Brief Summary Of The Debate On Article 370 In Lok Sabha.

Gravitas: Debate on Article 370: Day of Drama in the Lok Sabha

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduces 'Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill' in Lok Sabha amid opposition's ruckus. Watch video to know more.

Amit Shah introduces Jammu and Kashmir reorganistation bill in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill that seeks to scrap Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, while also bifurcating the state into union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Lok Sabha passes J&K Reorganisation bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Tuesday greeted in Lok Sabha with a standing ovation and thumping of desks by BJP lawmakers, amidst the heated debate over the abrogation of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019.

BJP MPs stood up to greet the Prime Minister, a day after Article 370 was scrapped by the government.

Slogans of 'Vande Mataram'&nbsp;and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'&nbsp;were raised as the Prime Minister arrived at the Lower House.

Humbled by the gesture, the Prime Minister folded his hands and bowed down before the House before proceedings continued.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday moved the resolution to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, in Lok Sabha. Shah also introduced Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019.

With BJP enjoying an overriding majority in the Lok Sabha, the bill is expected to the get Parliamentary nod before being sent for presidential assent.

A resolution removing the special status of the state under Article 370 was approved by the Rajya Sabha on Monday with Shah saying the constitutional provision was the "root cause of terrorism" in the state, and that the Modi government was committed to making the state the most progressive in the country.

The Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019, which strips Jammu and Kashmir`s status of a state and converts it into a Union Territory with legislature and carving out Ladakh region as a union territory without legislature, was passed in a division pressed by the opposition with 125 votes in favour and 61 against, and an NCP member abstained.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Tuesday greeted in Lok Sabha with a standing ovation and thumping of desks by BJP lawmakers, amidst the heated debate over the abrogation of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Tuesday greeted in Lok Sabha with a standing ovation and thumping of desks by BJP lawmakers, amidst the heated debate over the abrogation of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019. BJP MPs stood up to greet the Prime Minister, a day after Article 370 was scrapped by the government. Slogans of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' were raised as the Prime Minister arrived at the Lower House. Humbled by the gesture, the Prime Minister folded his hands and bowed down before the House before proceedings continued. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday moved the resolution to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, in Lok Sabha. Shah also introduced Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019. With BJP enjoying an overriding majority in the Lok Sabha, the bill is expected to the get Parliamentary nod before being sent for presidential assent. A resolution removing the special status of the state under Article 370 was approved by the Rajya Sabha on Monday with Shah saying the constitutional provision was the "root cause of terrorism" in the state, and that the Modi government was committed to making the state the most progressive in the country. The Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019, which strips Jammu and Kashmir`s status of a state and converts it into a Union Territory with legislature and carving out Ladakh region as a union territory without legislature, was passed in a division pressed by the opposition with 125 votes in favour and 61 against, and an NCP member abstained.

BJP MPs give standing ovation to PM Modi in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill that seeks to scrap Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, while also bifurcating the state into union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Bill passed 367 to 67

After a day of fiery debate in Lok Sabha over the abrogation of Article 370 to strip Jammu and Kashmir of special status, Home Minister Amit Shah responded to several criticism and allegations levelled by opposition party leaders against the government’s move.

Amit Shah responds to the concerns of the members of the Lok Sabha over Article 370

Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal made a passionate speech in Lok Sabha even Twitterati saying that Namgyal is the speaker of the day.

'Ladakh's voice has finally been heard' says Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to increase the number of Judges in the Supreme Court from present 30 to 33 excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019 was passed after a reply by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

As on June 1, there were 58,669 cases pending in the apex court.

Prasad said it was not possible for the Chief Justice of India to constitute five Judges Bench on a regular basis to hear cases involving substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution as it would result in constitution of less number of division benches which would lead to delay in hearing of other civil and criminal matters.

The feeder cadre of Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts has increased from 906 to 1,079 and presently new High Courts have also been established in the previous years, he said.

"This has led to an increase in the disposal of cases at the High Court level leading to a larger number of appeals to the Supreme Court. It is, therefore, proposed to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to increase the number of Judges in the Supreme Court from present thirty to thirty-three excluding the Chief Justice of India", he said.

The Chief Justice of India had intimated the government that inadequate strength of judges is one of the prime reasons for the backlog of cases in the apex court.&nbsp;

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to increase the number of Judges in the Supreme Court from present 30 to 33 excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to increase the number of Judges in the Supreme Court from present 30 to 33 excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2019 was passed after a reply by Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. As on June 1, there were 58,669 cases pending in the apex court. Prasad said it was not possible for the Chief Justice of India to constitute five Judges Bench on a regular basis to hear cases involving substantial question of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution as it would result in constitution of less number of division benches which would lead to delay in hearing of other civil and criminal matters. The feeder cadre of Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts has increased from 906 to 1,079 and presently new High Courts have also been established in the previous years, he said. "This has led to an increase in the disposal of cases at the High Court level leading to a larger number of appeals to the Supreme Court. It is, therefore, proposed to amend the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 to increase the number of Judges in the Supreme Court from present thirty to thirty-three excluding the Chief Justice of India", he said. The Chief Justice of India had intimated the government that inadequate strength of judges is one of the prime reasons for the backlog of cases in the apex court.

Lok Sabha passes bill to increase number of judges in Supreme Court

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