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

Rajya Sabha Secretary-General Desh Deepak Verma on Friday flagged off two units of E-vehicle transport facility for ferrying members in the parliament premises. 
 
Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also inspected the E-vehicles after they were flagged off. 
 
The vehicles have been hired in line with the policy of the Central government for active promotion of electric vehicles, given its eco-friendly nature and sustainability. 
 
Speaking on the occasion, Verma stated that keeping in view the prevailing pollution in Delhi and the adverse impact of climate change in the world, it becomes all the more necessary to explore the alternative source of energy which are clean, green and pollution-free.

"The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has taken a step in this direction by adding two electric vehicles in its fleet and made its contribution in combating the menace of pollution and for mitigating the effects of climate change," he said. 
 
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Ministry of Power, Government of India, which has been entrusted with the responsibility of promoting the use of electric vehicles was consulted in this regard, informed the secretariat in a statement. 
 
These vehicles will ferry the Members of Parliament from one place to another within the Parliament complex.

Rajya Sabha Secretary-General Desh Deepak Verma on Friday flagged off two units of E-vehicle transport facility for ferrying members in the parliament premises. Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also inspected the E-vehicles after they were flagged off.

Rajya Sabha Secretary-General Desh Deepak Verma on Friday flagged off two units of E-vehicle transport facility for ferrying members in the parliament premises. Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also inspected the E-vehicles after they were flagged off. The vehicles have been hired in line with the policy of the Central government for active promotion of electric vehicles, given its eco-friendly nature and sustainability. Speaking on the occasion, Verma stated that keeping in view the prevailing pollution in Delhi and the adverse impact of climate change in the world, it becomes all the more necessary to explore the alternative source of energy which are clean, green and pollution-free. "The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has taken a step in this direction by adding two electric vehicles in its fleet and made its contribution in combating the menace of pollution and for mitigating the effects of climate change," he said. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of Ministry of Power, Government of India, which has been entrusted with the responsibility of promoting the use of electric vehicles was consulted in this regard, informed the secretariat in a statement. These vehicles will ferry the Members of Parliament from one place to another within the Parliament complex.

Rajya Sabha secretariat hires e-vehicles to transport members within parliament premises

British PM Boris Johnson has been demanded the elections amid the Brexit chaos. He said that 'Brexit now or new Parliament later'. Watch this video to know more.

UK PM Boris Johnson calls for the elections on 12th December

European Union leaders unanimously backed a new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eus-chief-jean-claude-juncker-says-brexit-will-not-be-delayed-256532">Brexit deal</a> with Britain on Thursday, leaving Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pound-goes-on-rollercoaster-ride-after-brexit-draft-deal-256529">Boris Johnson</a> facing a battle to secure the UK parliament's backing for the agreement if he is to take Britain out of Europe on October 31.

Speaking after the EU's 27 other leaders had endorsed the deal without Johnson in the room, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker declared himself pleased that an agreement had been reached but unhappy to see Britain go.

"All in all, I am happy, relieved that we reached a deal," he said. "But I am sad because Brexit is happening."

Those sentiments were echoed by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and by Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, who has been a vocal opponent of Brexit.

"On a more personal note, what I feel today is sadness," Tusk told reporters. "Because in my heart, I will always be a remainer. And I hope that if our British friends decide to return one day, our door will always be open."

British and EU negotiators reached the agreement after successive days of late-night talks and nearly three years of heated discussions that have strained EU-UK ties at a time the bloc is facing a wave of Euroscepticism, struggling to restart economic growth and take a stand against resurgent global powers China and Russia.

Johnson said he was confident that parliament, which will sit for an extraordinary session on Saturday to vote on the Brexit agreement, would approve the deal.

"When my colleagues in parliament study this agreement they will want to vote for it on Saturday and then in succeeding days," he told reporters.

But the arithmetic in the vote is not simple.

The Northern Irish party that Johnson needs to help ratify any agreement, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has refused to support it, saying it is not in Northern Ireland's interests.

The head of the main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said he was "unhappy" with the agreement and would vote against it. Labour has said it wants any deal to be subject to a public vote, but as yet has not indicated whether it will back any move for a second referendum on Saturday.

Johnson does not have a majority in the 650-seat parliament, and in practice needs at least 318 votes to get a deal ratified. The DUP have 10 votes. Parliament defeated a previous deal struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, three times.

Deutsche Bank estimated there was a 55% chance parliament would reject Johnson's deal, and other analysts thought similar.

Johnson appears intent on presenting parliament with a stark choice - the deal he has struck or no deal - in the hope of securing just enough votes, including perhaps from the opposition benches, to secure a knife-edge approval.

"The PM's position is that it's a new deal or no deal but no delay," said a senior British government official.

If the deal is approved, economists said Britain was likely headed for a "fairly hard" Brexit, certainly a harder one than would have been the case under May's deal.

(Dis) unity

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said one positive with the Johnson deal was that it was clear Britain would become what the EU calls a "third country", making it essential for the EU to work rapidly on reaching a free trade agreement with it.

"There is an essential difference compared with when Theresa May was prime minister," said Merkel. "Then it was not clear how the future relations would look, whether membership of the customs union or not. Now it is quite clear."

Johnson spoke to the other EU leaders for about 30 minutes during his first - and possibly last - summit in Brussels.

In a sign of the times for the bloc, which has never yet lost a member, he is expected to skip the second day of discussions on the EU's future budget and tackling climate change.

As Britain took a step closer to leaving the EU after more than four decades, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar made a case for the union.

"As the leader of a small nation, I have felt enormous solidarity from our European partners," he said, bidding farewell to Britain, "an old friend."

"The unity that we have seen in the last few years is a lesson to us for the future... something we take forward for future negotiations. Not just with the UK, but the U.S. and China and Turkey and others."

'Backstop' gone

Negotiators worked frantically this week to agree a compromise on the question of the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland, the most difficult part of Brexit.

The conundrum was how to prevent the frontier from becoming a backdoor into the EU's single market without erecting checkpoints that could undermine the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of conflict in the province.

The agreement reached will keep Northern Ireland in the UK customs area but EU tariffs will apply on goods crossing from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland if they are headed to Ireland and into the bloc's single market.

The agreement scraps the "backstop", a mechanism envisaged earlier that was designed to prevent a hard border being introduced on the island of Ireland, and would have bound at least parts of Britain to some EU rules.

However, the DUP, which supports Johnson's government, said the new text was not acceptable - a step that could spur hardline Brexiteers in his Conservative party to vote it down.

"These proposals are not, in our view, beneficial to the economic wellbeing of Northern Ireland," the party said.

The uncertainty over parliament's approval means that, two weeks before Britain is due to leave the world's largest trading bloc, the possible outcomes still range from an orderly departure to a chaotic exit or even another referendum that could reverse the entire endeavour.

European Union leaders unanimously backed a new Brexit deal with Britain on Thursday, leaving Prime Minister Boris Johnson facing a battle to secure the UK parliament's backing for the agreement if he is to take Britain out of Europe on October 31.

European Union leaders unanimously backed a new Brexit deal with Britain on Thursday, leaving Prime Minister Boris Johnson facing a battle to secure the UK parliament's backing for the agreement if he is to take Britain out of Europe on October 31. Speaking after the EU's 27 other leaders had endorsed the deal without Johnson in the room, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker declared himself pleased that an agreement had been reached but unhappy to see Britain go. "All in all, I am happy, relieved that we reached a deal," he said. "But I am sad because Brexit is happening." Those sentiments were echoed by the EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, and by Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, who has been a vocal opponent of Brexit. "On a more personal note, what I feel today is sadness," Tusk told reporters. "Because in my heart, I will always be a remainer. And I hope that if our British friends decide to return one day, our door will always be open." British and EU negotiators reached the agreement after successive days of late-night talks and nearly three years of heated discussions that have strained EU-UK ties at a time the bloc is facing a wave of Euroscepticism, struggling to restart economic growth and take a stand against resurgent global powers China and Russia. Johnson said he was confident that parliament, which will sit for an extraordinary session on Saturday to vote on the Brexit agreement, would approve the deal. "When my colleagues in parliament study this agreement they will want to vote for it on Saturday and then in succeeding days," he told reporters. But the arithmetic in the vote is not simple. The Northern Irish party that Johnson needs to help ratify any agreement, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has refused to support it, saying it is not in Northern Ireland's interests. The head of the main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, said he was "unhappy" with the agreement and would vote against it. Labour has said it wants any deal to be subject to a public vote, but as yet has not indicated whether it will back any move for a second referendum on Saturday. Johnson does not have a majority in the 650-seat parliament, and in practice needs at least 318 votes to get a deal ratified. The DUP have 10 votes. Parliament defeated a previous deal struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, three times. Deutsche Bank estimated there was a 55% chance parliament would reject Johnson's deal, and other analysts thought similar. Johnson appears intent on presenting parliament with a stark choice - the deal he has struck or no deal - in the hope of securing just enough votes, including perhaps from the opposition benches, to secure a knife-edge approval. "The PM's position is that it's a new deal or no deal but no delay," said a senior British government official. If the deal is approved, economists said Britain was likely headed for a "fairly hard" Brexit, certainly a harder one than would have been the case under May's deal. (Dis) unity German Chancellor Angela Merkel said one positive with the Johnson deal was that it was clear Britain would become what the EU calls a "third country", making it essential for the EU to work rapidly on reaching a free trade agreement with it. "There is an essential difference compared with when Theresa May was prime minister," said Merkel. "Then it was not clear how the future relations would look, whether membership of the customs union or not. Now it is quite clear." Johnson spoke to the other EU leaders for about 30 minutes during his first - and possibly last - summit in Brussels. In a sign of the times for the bloc, which has never yet lost a member, he is expected to skip the second day of discussions on the EU's future budget and tackling climate change. As Britain took a step closer to leaving the EU after more than four decades, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar made a case for the union. "As the leader of a small nation, I have felt enormous solidarity from our European partners," he said, bidding farewell to Britain, "an old friend." "The unity that we have seen in the last few years is a lesson to us for the future... something we take forward for future negotiations. Not just with the UK, but the U.S. and China and Turkey and others." 'Backstop' gone Negotiators worked frantically this week to agree a compromise on the question of the border between EU member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland, the most difficult part of Brexit. The conundrum was how to prevent the frontier from becoming a backdoor into the EU's single market without erecting checkpoints that could undermine the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended decades of conflict in the province. The agreement reached will keep Northern Ireland in the UK customs area but EU tariffs will apply on goods crossing from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland if they are headed to Ireland and into the bloc's single market. The agreement scraps the "backstop", a mechanism envisaged earlier that was designed to prevent a hard border being introduced on the island of Ireland, and would have bound at least parts of Britain to some EU rules. However, the DUP, which supports Johnson's government, said the new text was not acceptable - a step that could spur hardline Brexiteers in his Conservative party to vote it down. "These proposals are not, in our view, beneficial to the economic wellbeing of Northern Ireland," the party said. The uncertainty over parliament's approval means that, two weeks before Britain is due to leave the world's largest trading bloc, the possible outcomes still range from an orderly departure to a chaotic exit or even another referendum that could reverse the entire endeavour.

Boris Johnson agrees Brexit deal, but must now win over parliament

Peru's President dissolved the <a href="Copa America: Brazil crush Peru to reach last eight">parliament</a> and called for fresh elections Monday, prompting a vote by lawmakers to suspend him, deepening a long-running institutional crisis.

The announcement by President Martin Vizcarra came after he warned Congress he would dissolve the body if it continued to block a raft of anti-corruption reforms and changes to the way judges are appointed to the country's Supreme Court.

Vizcarra called new parliamentary elections for January 26, according to a decree published in the official gazette.

Shortly after his televised statement, 86 of Congress' 130 members voted to suspend Vizcarra for one year on the grounds of "moral incapacity" and nominated Vice President Mercedes Araoz as acting head of state.

The chamber will meet on Friday to consider a motion to dismiss the president, House Speaker Pedro Olaechea said.

"We are facing a coup d'etat," opposition legislator Jorge del Castillo said of Vizcarra's move. "I hope the armed forces and the police will stay out of this charade."

But the chiefs of the police and army "reaffirmed their full support for the constitutional order" and Vizcarra at the presidential palace in Lima, the presidency said on Twitter, posting a photo of the meeting.

Supporters of the move to dissolve parliament also took to the streets across Peru, with one demonstration in Lima drawing around 2,000 people.

Vizcarra -- whose anti-graft drive has won him widespread popularity -- has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori.

Fujimori is the eldest daughter of disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori and is herself in prison awaiting trial after being accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her 2011 presidential campaign.

The Supreme Court&nbsp;is currently debating whether to free opposition leader Keiko -- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-opposition-demands-that-court-annuls-election-236548">once Peru's most popular politician</a> -- from pre-trial detention.

Odebrecht has admitted paying at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials since 2004.

Three former presidents, including Vizcarra's predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, are also being investigated over Odebrecht while a fourth, Alan Garcia, committed suicide in April after police arrived at his house to arrest him for money laundering.&nbsp;

Peru's President dissolved the parliament and called for fresh elections Monday, prompting a vote by lawmakers to suspend him, deepening a long-running institutional crisis.

Peru's President dissolved the parliament and called for fresh elections Monday, prompting a vote by lawmakers to suspend him, deepening a long-running institutional crisis. The announcement by President Martin Vizcarra came after he warned Congress he would dissolve the body if it continued to block a raft of anti-corruption reforms and changes to the way judges are appointed to the country's Supreme Court. Vizcarra called new parliamentary elections for January 26, according to a decree published in the official gazette. Shortly after his televised statement, 86 of Congress' 130 members voted to suspend Vizcarra for one year on the grounds of "moral incapacity" and nominated Vice President Mercedes Araoz as acting head of state. The chamber will meet on Friday to consider a motion to dismiss the president, House Speaker Pedro Olaechea said. "We are facing a coup d'etat," opposition legislator Jorge del Castillo said of Vizcarra's move. "I hope the armed forces and the police will stay out of this charade." But the chiefs of the police and army "reaffirmed their full support for the constitutional order" and Vizcarra at the presidential palace in Lima, the presidency said on Twitter, posting a photo of the meeting. Supporters of the move to dissolve parliament also took to the streets across Peru, with one demonstration in Lima drawing around 2,000 people. Vizcarra -- whose anti-graft drive has won him widespread popularity -- has repeatedly clashed with Congress, which is dominated by the Popular Force party of Keiko Fujimori. Fujimori is the eldest daughter of disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori and is herself in prison awaiting trial after being accused of accepting $1.2 million in illicit party funding from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for her 2011 presidential campaign. The Supreme Court is currently debating whether to free opposition leader Keiko -- once Peru's most popular politician -- from pre-trial detention. Odebrecht has admitted paying at least $29 million in bribes to Peruvian officials since 2004. Three former presidents, including Vizcarra's predecessor Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, are also being investigated over Odebrecht while a fourth, Alan Garcia, committed suicide in April after police arrived at his house to arrest him for money laundering.

Peru president dissolves parliaments, calls fresh elections

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, champion of Britain's parliament in its move to rein in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-boris-johnson-will-go-to-eu-to-seek-a-deal-not-a-brexit-delay-finance-minister-248420">Prime Minister Boris Johnson</a> over Brexit, said on Monday he would stand down, issuing a warning to the government not to "degrade" parliament.

Bercow, known for his thundering cries of "Order! Order!" and his scathing put-downs of misbehaving lawmakers, has been the target of fury from Johnson's government, which accused him of breaking rules to let lawmakers force a delay to Britain's exit from the EU.

With less than two months until Britain's most important political decision in decades, Bercow, whose position is formally meant to be neutral, helped give lawmakers the chance to strip control of the outcome away from the government.

Last week, lawmakers defeated Johnson to pass a law ordering Johnson to seek a delay from the October&nbsp;31 Brexit deadline.

In the speech announcing his plan to resign, Bercow fixed his gaze on the benches where ministers sit and delivered a direct warning to the government: "We degrade this parliament at our peril."

Bercow, 56, was given a standing ovation from many members of the lower house as he announced his plan to stand down in the coming weeks - particularly by those on the opposition benches.

"When the history books come to be written, you will be described as one of the great reforming speakers of the House of Commons," said opposition Labour Party lawmaker Hilary Benn, who led the passage of the law to try and stop a no-deal Brexit.

"In every decision, you have made, you have put one consideration above everything else: Your wish to enable the House of Commons to discuss matters and to have a view."

A day earlier, Johnson's business minister, Andrea Leadsom, had called Bercow's decision to give lawmakers a chance to pass legislation against the wishes of the government a "flagrant abuse" of the parliamentary process.

"It acts in complete disregard to the will of the people, not just on Brexit, but on whom they have chosen to govern them," she wrote in the Mail on Sunday. "The Speaker hasn’t just bent the rules, he has broken them."

In Monday's speech, Bercow said he would not contest the next election if parliament voted later on Monday in favour of calling one.

If, as expected, lawmakers reject the government's attempt to call an election, he said he would quit on October 31,&nbsp;the Brexit deadline that lawmakers voted last week to postpone.

Bercow has been speaker since 2009, a role traditionally responsible for ensuring decorum during the debate, but which took on unusual power this year when Johnson and his predecessor Theresa May failed to get their Brexit policies past parliament.

In a country with no written constitution and a parliament ruled by convention, it fell to him to interpret rules that normally give the government control over parliament's agenda.

Bercow's cries of "Order! Order!" has travelled around the world in viral video clips, as have his quips.

"Don't tell me, young man, what I can and can't say," he bellowed at one heckler on Monday. "If you're not interested, leave the chamber. I'm not remotely interested in your pettifogging objection, chuntered inelegantly from a sedentary position."

During his ten-year term, he has survived an outcry over expense claims,&nbsp;&nbsp;including costly use of official cars and overseas trips, and has faced allegations of bullying from former members of staff, which he has denied.

Pro-Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, one of the architects of the decision to leave the European Union, summed up the eurosceptic sentiment in a two-word tweet: "Good Riddance."

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, champion of Britain's parliament in its move to rein in Prime Minister Boris Johnson over Brexit, said on Monday he would stand down, issuing a warning to the government not to "degrade" parliament.

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, champion of Britain's parliament in its move to rein in Prime Minister Boris Johnson over Brexit, said on Monday he would stand down, issuing a warning to the government not to "degrade" parliament. Bercow, known for his thundering cries of "Order! Order!" and his scathing put-downs of misbehaving lawmakers, has been the target of fury from Johnson's government, which accused him of breaking rules to let lawmakers force a delay to Britain's exit from the EU. With less than two months until Britain's most important political decision in decades, Bercow, whose position is formally meant to be neutral, helped give lawmakers the chance to strip control of the outcome away from the government. Last week, lawmakers defeated Johnson to pass a law ordering Johnson to seek a delay from the October 31 Brexit deadline. In the speech announcing his plan to resign, Bercow fixed his gaze on the benches where ministers sit and delivered a direct warning to the government: "We degrade this parliament at our peril." Bercow, 56, was given a standing ovation from many members of the lower house as he announced his plan to stand down in the coming weeks - particularly by those on the opposition benches. "When the history books come to be written, you will be described as one of the great reforming speakers of the House of Commons," said opposition Labour Party lawmaker Hilary Benn, who led the passage of the law to try and stop a no-deal Brexit. "In every decision, you have made, you have put one consideration above everything else: Your wish to enable the House of Commons to discuss matters and to have a view." A day earlier, Johnson's business minister, Andrea Leadsom, had called Bercow's decision to give lawmakers a chance to pass legislation against the wishes of the government a "flagrant abuse" of the parliamentary process. "It acts in complete disregard to the will of the people, not just on Brexit, but on whom they have chosen to govern them," she wrote in the Mail on Sunday. "The Speaker hasn’t just bent the rules, he has broken them." In Monday's speech, Bercow said he would not contest the next election if parliament voted later on Monday in favour of calling one. If, as expected, lawmakers reject the government's attempt to call an election, he said he would quit on October 31, the Brexit deadline that lawmakers voted last week to postpone. Bercow has been speaker since 2009, a role traditionally responsible for ensuring decorum during the debate, but which took on unusual power this year when Johnson and his predecessor Theresa May failed to get their Brexit policies past parliament. In a country with no written constitution and a parliament ruled by convention, it fell to him to interpret rules that normally give the government control over parliament's agenda. Bercow's cries of "Order! Order!" has travelled around the world in viral video clips, as have his quips. "Don't tell me, young man, what I can and can't say," he bellowed at one heckler on Monday. "If you're not interested, leave the chamber. I'm not remotely interested in your pettifogging objection, chuntered inelegantly from a sedentary position." During his ten-year term, he has survived an outcry over expense claims, including costly use of official cars and overseas trips, and has faced allegations of bullying from former members of staff, which he has denied. Pro-Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, one of the architects of the decision to leave the European Union, summed up the eurosceptic sentiment in a two-word tweet: "Good Riddance."

House of Commons Speaker John Bercow to step down

Parliamentary party (PP) of Nepali Congress (NC) on Tuesday issued a press release asking the KP Sharma Oli government to amend multiple bills that allegedly violate the preamble and provisions of the Nepali constitution.

The leading opposition party of Nepal accused the ruling party of not accommodating the difference of opinion expressed by their fellow legislators in the parliamentary committee on Citizenship Bill, Federal Civil Service Bill and Information Technology Bill, The Himalayan Time (THT) reported.

"No bill that violates the preamble and provisions of the constitution will be acceptable to the Nepali Congress. The NC, therefore, urges the government to amend the bills that violate the spirit and the provisions of the constitution," NC stated in its release.

Bal Krishna Khand of the NC told THT that they are against the Nepali Communist Party's (NCP) intend to unanimously proceed with the amendment of the controversial bills to retain the provisions that allowed foreign women married to Nepali men to obtain Nepali citizenship immediately after marriage.

"Some ruling NCP lawmakers are arguing that the provisions related to marital naturalisation should be changed and foreign women married to Nepali men should be made to wait for some years before they get their naturalised citizenship. This is irrational and we will not accept their arguments," Khand said.

"If a waiting period is introduced for obtaining marital naturalisation, then foreign women married to Nepali men might not get a share of their husband's property before they obtain their citizenship nor will they enjoy reproductive health rights," he added.

Khand also alleged that the Information Technology Bill had restrictive provisions that could curtail press freedom and citizen's&nbsp;freedom of expression.

"Information Technology Bill intends not only to restrict online media but also discourages people from criticising public post holders. We cannot support such provisions," he said.

NC wants those provisions to be excluded from the bill, he added. Additionally, the NC leader said that his party would also stall House proceedings if the ruling party did not amend the provisions of the NHRC Act (Amendment) Bill and National Security Council Bill in the Parliament Secretariat.

"We are also opposed to the bill that proposes to give the prime minister-led steering committee the power to handle mega projects worth over Rs 25 billion", the NC leader said.

Meanwhile, the NCP Chief Whip Dev Prasad Gurung said his party had put bills opposed by the NC on hold.

"We have passed almost all the bills on the basis of consensus with the opposition parties and want to do the same with other bills. NC should not think of adopting the extreme measure of stalling House proceedings," he added.

Parliamentary party (PP) of Nepali Congress (NC) on Tuesday issued a press release asking the KP Sharma Oli government to amend multiple bills that allegedly violate the preamble and provisions of the Nepali constitution.

Parliamentary party (PP) of Nepali Congress (NC) on Tuesday issued a press release asking the KP Sharma Oli government to amend multiple bills that allegedly violate the preamble and provisions of the Nepali constitution. The leading opposition party of Nepal accused the ruling party of not accommodating the difference of opinion expressed by their fellow legislators in the parliamentary committee on Citizenship Bill, Federal Civil Service Bill and Information Technology Bill, The Himalayan Time (THT) reported. "No bill that violates the preamble and provisions of the constitution will be acceptable to the Nepali Congress. The NC, therefore, urges the government to amend the bills that violate the spirit and the provisions of the constitution," NC stated in its release. Bal Krishna Khand of the NC told THT that they are against the Nepali Communist Party's (NCP) intend to unanimously proceed with the amendment of the controversial bills to retain the provisions that allowed foreign women married to Nepali men to obtain Nepali citizenship immediately after marriage. "Some ruling NCP lawmakers are arguing that the provisions related to marital naturalisation should be changed and foreign women married to Nepali men should be made to wait for some years before they get their naturalised citizenship. This is irrational and we will not accept their arguments," Khand said. "If a waiting period is introduced for obtaining marital naturalisation, then foreign women married to Nepali men might not get a share of their husband's property before they obtain their citizenship nor will they enjoy reproductive health rights," he added. Khand also alleged that the Information Technology Bill had restrictive provisions that could curtail press freedom and citizen's freedom of expression. "Information Technology Bill intends not only to restrict online media but also discourages people from criticising public post holders. We cannot support such provisions," he said. NC wants those provisions to be excluded from the bill, he added. Additionally, the NC leader said that his party would also stall House proceedings if the ruling party did not amend the provisions of the NHRC Act (Amendment) Bill and National Security Council Bill in the Parliament Secretariat. "We are also opposed to the bill that proposes to give the prime minister-led steering committee the power to handle mega projects worth over Rs 25 billion", the NC leader said. Meanwhile, the NCP Chief Whip Dev Prasad Gurung said his party had put bills opposed by the NC on hold. "We have passed almost all the bills on the basis of consensus with the opposition parties and want to do the same with other bills. NC should not think of adopting the extreme measure of stalling House proceedings," he added.

Nepal: NC voices concerns over different bills, threatens to stall parliament

British lawmakers, including Conservatives expelled this week from the party, are preparing legal action in case Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-carmakers-urge-brexit-delay-rather-than-no-deal-exit-248018">Boris Johnson</a> refuses to seek a delay to Brexit, the BBC reported on Saturday.

An opposition bill that would force Johnson to ask the European Union for an extension to Britain's departure to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October&nbsp;31 was approved by parliament's appointed upper chamber, the House of Lords, on Friday.

Queen Elizabeth is expected to sign it into law on Monday.

Watch: 'No deal' Brexit would cost at least $16 billion in UK sales to the EU, says UN

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Johnson, a leader of the campaign to leave the EU during the 2016 Brexit referendum, took office in July after his Conservative party predecessor Theresa May quit following three failed attempts to get a deal with Brussels through parliament.

The new prime minister says he wants to take Britain out of the EU on October 31, with or without a deal with the bloc.

Johnson has said he has no intention of seeking an extension and would rather "die in a ditch" than delay Brexit, while on Saturday the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying he was only bound "in theory" by the new legislation.

The government had no immediate comment on the BBC report, which said lawmakers have lined up a legal team and are willing to go to court to enforce the legislation if necessary.

Johnson says the only solution to the Brexit deadlock is a new election, which he wants to take place on October&nbsp;15, allowing him to win a new mandate with two weeks left to leave on time.

Two-thirds of parliament's lawmakers need to back an early election, but opposition parties, including Labour, said they would either vote against or abstain on this until the law to force Johnson to seek a Brexit delay is implemented.

Johnson failed to win enough support in a vote on Wednesday for an election, with another vote scheduled for Monday.

British lawmakers, including Conservatives expelled this week from the party, are preparing legal action in case Prime Minister Boris Johnson refuses to seek a delay to Brexit, the BBC reported on Saturday.

British lawmakers, including Conservatives expelled this week from the party, are preparing legal action in case Prime Minister Boris Johnson refuses to seek a delay to Brexit, the BBC reported on Saturday. An opposition bill that would force Johnson to ask the European Union for an extension to Britain's departure to avoid a no-deal Brexit on October 31 was approved by parliament's appointed upper chamber, the House of Lords, on Friday. Queen Elizabeth is expected to sign it into law on Monday. Watch: 'No deal' Brexit would cost at least $16 billion in UK sales to the EU, says UN × Johnson, a leader of the campaign to leave the EU during the 2016 Brexit referendum, took office in July after his Conservative party predecessor Theresa May quit following three failed attempts to get a deal with Brussels through parliament. The new prime minister says he wants to take Britain out of the EU on October 31, with or without a deal with the bloc. Johnson has said he has no intention of seeking an extension and would rather "die in a ditch" than delay Brexit, while on Saturday the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying he was only bound "in theory" by the new legislation. The government had no immediate comment on the BBC report, which said lawmakers have lined up a legal team and are willing to go to court to enforce the legislation if necessary. Johnson says the only solution to the Brexit deadlock is a new election, which he wants to take place on October 15, allowing him to win a new mandate with two weeks left to leave on time. Two-thirds of parliament's lawmakers need to back an early election, but opposition parties, including Labour, said they would either vote against or abstain on this until the law to force Johnson to seek a Brexit delay is implemented. Johnson failed to win enough support in a vote on Wednesday for an election, with another vote scheduled for Monday.

British lawmakers willing to go to court to enforce Brexit delay: Report

British Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-gives-up-trying-to-stop-brexit-delay-bill-in-parliament-247721"> Boris Johnson</a> was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-government-gives-up-trying-to-stop-brexit-delay-bill-in-parliament-247721">European Union</a>.

As the United Kingdom spins towards an election, Brexit remains up in the air more than three years after Britons voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum. Options range from a turbulent 'no-deal' exit to abandoning the whole endeavour.

After wresting control of the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, an alliance of opposition parties and rebels expelled from Johnson's Conservative party voted to force him to seek a three-month delay to Brexit rather than leaving without a deal on October 31, the date now set in law.

Behind the sound and the fury of the Brexit crisis, an election now beckons for a polarised country.

The main choices on offer are Johnson's radical insistence on leaving the EU on October 31, come what may, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's hard-left socialist vision, coupled with a promise of a fresh referendum with an option to stay in the EU.

"Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said.

"Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election."

The opposition Labour Party cast Johnson's language - including calling Corbyn a "chicken" - as pathetic, said he was trying to act like US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, and compared him to a 3-year-old toddler having a tantrum.

An election adds a new twist to a Brexit crisis that has for three years overshadowed European Union affairs, eroded Britain's reputation as a stable pillar of the West and seen sterling twitch in tune to the probability of a 'no-deal' exit.

Asked if Brexit would happen on October 31, Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings told Reuters: "Trust the people."

Against the dollar, the pound fell 0.3 per cent to $1.2211, after jumping 1.4 per cent on Wednesday in the sense that the prospect of a 'no-deal' exit had receded. UBS Global Wealth Management said sterling could rally to $1.30 if Brexit was delayed until January 2020 and an election was held after October.&nbsp;

'Trust the people'

Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has pushed for an election on October 15, two weeks before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, though opposition parties are debating which date they would accept.

"We are saying, yeah, bring on a general election, of course," said John McDonnell, the Labour Party's second most powerful man.

"We will ensure that happens after we have got the legislation to protect against a 'no-deal' Brexit. But we will consult and do it on at the date on which we will think will have the maximum advantage against a 'no-deal'," he said.

While sterling rose on parliament's bid to block a no-deal exit, an election before Brexit would allow him, if he won, to repeal the blocking bill, which was passed by 329-300 and then 327-299 in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The law will pass the upper house, the Lords, by Friday evening.

Johnson's finance minister, Sajid Javid, opened up the possibility of a change to the October 15 date but said the government could strike a renegotiated Brexit deal with Brussels and get it through parliament before October 31.

But the EU, and Germany and France in particular, have repeatedly called on Britain to make specific proposals on how it wants to change the agreement struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, in November.

Diplomats said an election campaign would halt any Brexit talks with the EU and expressed frustration with the turmoil of British politics at such an important juncture in European history.

"The UK side continues to produce chaos and it is very hard to predict anything," said one EU diplomat.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the European Union.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Thursday kicking off what is in effect an election campaign, casting an alliance of opposition parties trying to block a 'no-deal' Brexit as defeatists surrendering to the European Union. As the United Kingdom spins towards an election, Brexit remains up in the air more than three years after Britons voted to leave the bloc in a 2016 referendum. Options range from a turbulent 'no-deal' exit to abandoning the whole endeavour. After wresting control of the lower house of parliament on Wednesday, an alliance of opposition parties and rebels expelled from Johnson's Conservative party voted to force him to seek a three-month delay to Brexit rather than leaving without a deal on October 31, the date now set in law. Behind the sound and the fury of the Brexit crisis, an election now beckons for a polarised country. The main choices on offer are Johnson's radical insistence on leaving the EU on October 31, come what may, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's hard-left socialist vision, coupled with a promise of a fresh referendum with an option to stay in the EU. "Boris will argue that it is now time for the people to decide after parliament has failed them, so we can resolve this once and for all," a spokesman for the prime minister said. "Jeremy Corbyn continues not only to block Brexit but is now also stopping the people from having their say by refusing a general election." The opposition Labour Party cast Johnson's language - including calling Corbyn a "chicken" - as pathetic, said he was trying to act like US President Donald Trump, and compared him to a 3-year-old toddler having a tantrum. An election adds a new twist to a Brexit crisis that has for three years overshadowed European Union affairs, eroded Britain's reputation as a stable pillar of the West and seen sterling twitch in tune to the probability of a 'no-deal' exit. Asked if Brexit would happen on October 31, Johnson's senior adviser Dominic Cummings told Reuters: "Trust the people." Against the dollar, the pound fell 0.3 per cent to $1.2211, after jumping 1.4 per cent on Wednesday in the sense that the prospect of a 'no-deal' exit had receded. UBS Global Wealth Management said sterling could rally to $1.30 if Brexit was delayed until January 2020 and an election was held after October. 'Trust the people' Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has pushed for an election on October 15, two weeks before the United Kingdom is due to leave the EU, though opposition parties are debating which date they would accept. "We are saying, yeah, bring on a general election, of course," said John McDonnell, the Labour Party's second most powerful man. "We will ensure that happens after we have got the legislation to protect against a 'no-deal' Brexit. But we will consult and do it on at the date on which we will think will have the maximum advantage against a 'no-deal'," he said. While sterling rose on parliament's bid to block a no-deal exit, an election before Brexit would allow him, if he won, to repeal the blocking bill, which was passed by 329-300 and then 327-299 in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The law will pass the upper house, the Lords, by Friday evening. Johnson's finance minister, Sajid Javid, opened up the possibility of a change to the October 15 date but said the government could strike a renegotiated Brexit deal with Brussels and get it through parliament before October 31. But the EU, and Germany and France in particular, have repeatedly called on Britain to make specific proposals on how it wants to change the agreement struck by Johnson's predecessor, Theresa May, in November. Diplomats said an election campaign would halt any Brexit talks with the EU and expressed frustration with the turmoil of British politics at such an important juncture in European history. "The UK side continues to produce chaos and it is very hard to predict anything," said one EU diplomat.

British PM Boris Johnson kicks off election campaign as parliament blocks no-deal Brexit

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing to call an election, media reported on Monday, on the eve of an historic showdown with parliament over Brexit. Johnson's promise to take the country out of the European Union on October 31 with or without a deal to smooth the divorce between the world's fifth-largest economy and its biggest trading partner has propelled the United Kingdom towards a constitutional crisis and a battle with the 27 other members of the bloc.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing to call an election, media reported on Monday, on the eve of an historic showdown with parliament over Brexit. Johnson's promise to take the country out of the European Union on October 31 with or without a deal to smooth the divorce between the world's fifth-largest economy and its biggest trading partner has propelled the United Kingdom towards a constitutional crisis and a battle with the 27 other members of the bloc. An alliance of opposition lawmakers are plotting with rebels in Johnson's Conservative Party to take control of parliament and tie the government's hands with legislation that would block a no-deal exit, fearing leaving without a deal will be ruinous. Just 24 hours until parliament returns on Tuesday from its summer break, Johnson's enforcers warned rebels that if they voted against the government they would be kicked out of his Conservative Party. With little clarity on whether the deadlocked British parliament might be able to come up with a resolution to the three-year Brexit crisis, talk turned to a possible election. "We want a general election," opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said, to oust Johnson's "phony, populist cabal". He added: "We must come together to stop no deal - this week could be our last chance." However, former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Corbyn, a veteran socialist, to avoid what he cast as an election "elephant trap" Johnson had laid for Labour. "Boris Johnson knows that if no-deal Brexit stands on its own as a proposition it might well fail but if he mixes it up with the Corbyn question in a general election he could succeed despite a majority being against a no-deal Brexit because some may fear a Corbyn premiership more," Blair said. Johnson has called a cabinet meeting for later on Monday and could ask lawmakers to vote on calling an election if they vote against his government on Brexit, the BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg said. The Sun newspaper's political editor Tom Newton Dunn also said Johnson was preparing to call an election. Asked if Johnson was planning an election, his spokesman said: "He has been asked this on many, many occasions and his answer has always been that he doesn't want there to be an election." After winning the top job in the chaos that followed the 2016 EU membership referendum, then Prime Minister Theresa May bet on a 2017 snap election but lost her majority. Eelection? More than three years since the United Kingdom voted 52-48% to leave the European Union, it is still unclear on what terms, or indeed whether, Brexit will take place. In the parliamentary chess game, the default position is that Britain will leave on Oct. 31 without a deal unless a divorce agreement is struck with the bloc and ratified by the British parliament or legislation is passed to delay or revoke the departure notice. Johnson, the face of the 2016 Vote Leave campaign, has cast rebels as EU "collaborators" who are undermining the government's negotiating hand in seeking a withdrawal agreement by blunting his threat of a no-deal Brexit. "Their (the government's) strategy, to be honest, is to lose this week and then seek a general election," said David Gauke, a former justice minister who is one of the rebel Conservative lawmakers. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the minister responsible for parliamentary business, said any wise party would prepare for an election and that any vote on rebel legislation would be considered a matter of confidence in the government. "It is important for the government to establish the confidence of the House of Commons and this is essentially a confidence matter: Who should control the legislative agenda, Jeremy Corbyn or Boris Johnson?" Rees-Mogg said. An election would open up three main options: a Brexit-supporting government under Johnson, a Labour government led by Corbyn or a hung parliament that could lead to a coalition or minority government of some kind. After Johnson moved to suspend parliament ahead of Brexit, opponents of a no-deal exit are seeking to overturn his decision in the courts. Hearings are due on Sept. 3, Sept. 5 and Sept. 6. Nick Boles, a former Conservative who now sits as an independent member of parliament, said the rebels would seek to force the government to ask the EU for a Brexit delay if it was unable to ratify a revised Withdrawal Agreement by a certain date in October.

British PM preparing to call election on eve of Brexit showdown with parliament?

Thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for about a month before the deadline for the country to leave the European Union.

Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on October&nbsp;31 with or without a deal on future relations with the bloc. The move to shut parliament for around a month in the period before that will hinder efforts by his opponents to stop him.

About 2,000 people gathered outside his office in Downing Street, chanting: "Liar Johnson, shame on you!"

A sign read: "#StopTheCoup. Defend our Democracy. Save our future."

The government says it is usual for parliament to be suspended before a new prime minister outlines his policy programme in a Queen's speech, now scheduled for Oct. 14. His supporters also say parliament usually breaks in late September, when the main political parties hold their annual conferences.

But his critics say the suspension, known as a prorogation, is unusually long and describe the move as a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the time that lawmakers will have to debate before Britain leaves the EU at the end of October.

Opposition lawmakers want to prevent the shutdown of parliament and pass legislation to avoid a no-deal Brexit when they return from summer recess on Tuesday.

As well as London, protests were scheduled in other major cities in the four nations of the United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

About 100 people protested outside the city hall in Belfast, the capital of the Northern Ireland, which has become a particular focus in the Brexit negotiations as it has the United Kingdom's only land border with the European Union.

The "backstop" insurance policy, part of the withdrawal agreement negotiated between the EU and Britain's former prime minister and which aims to keep the border with Ireland open, has become the main sticking point in negotiations.

Johnson wants the backstop removed, saying it could leave Northern Ireland operating under different regulatory rules than the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU and Ireland say Britain has yet to come up with acceptable alternatives.

A court case being heard in Belfast next week aims to block Johnson's suspension of parliament on the grounds that a no-deal Brexit would breach the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the British-run province of Northern Ireland.

Protesters said the government had failed to take into account the importance of the border issue.

"The thing that scares me most is they have no appreciation of what is important for Northern Ireland. We are not on their radar," said Graham Glendinning, 49, a software worker.

"The border means nothing to them and they don’t give two hoots about it."

Thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for about a month before the deadline for the country to leave the European Union.

Thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland protested on Saturday against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament for about a month before the deadline for the country to leave the European Union. Johnson has pledged to take Britain out of the EU on October 31 with or without a deal on future relations with the bloc. The move to shut parliament for around a month in the period before that will hinder efforts by his opponents to stop him. About 2,000 people gathered outside his office in Downing Street, chanting: "Liar Johnson, shame on you!" A sign read: "#StopTheCoup. Defend our Democracy. Save our future." The government says it is usual for parliament to be suspended before a new prime minister outlines his policy programme in a Queen's speech, now scheduled for Oct. 14. His supporters also say parliament usually breaks in late September, when the main political parties hold their annual conferences. But his critics say the suspension, known as a prorogation, is unusually long and describe the move as a thinly veiled attempt to reduce the time that lawmakers will have to debate before Britain leaves the EU at the end of October. Opposition lawmakers want to prevent the shutdown of parliament and pass legislation to avoid a no-deal Brexit when they return from summer recess on Tuesday. As well as London, protests were scheduled in other major cities in the four nations of the United Kingdom, comprising England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. About 100 people protested outside the city hall in Belfast, the capital of the Northern Ireland, which has become a particular focus in the Brexit negotiations as it has the United Kingdom's only land border with the European Union. The "backstop" insurance policy, part of the withdrawal agreement negotiated between the EU and Britain's former prime minister and which aims to keep the border with Ireland open, has become the main sticking point in negotiations. Johnson wants the backstop removed, saying it could leave Northern Ireland operating under different regulatory rules than the rest of the United Kingdom. The EU and Ireland say Britain has yet to come up with acceptable alternatives. A court case being heard in Belfast next week aims to block Johnson's suspension of parliament on the grounds that a no-deal Brexit would breach the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that brought peace to the British-run province of Northern Ireland. Protesters said the government had failed to take into account the importance of the border issue. "The thing that scares me most is they have no appreciation of what is important for Northern Ireland. We are not on their radar," said Graham Glendinning, 49, a software worker. "The border means nothing to them and they don’t give two hoots about it."

Thousands protest British PM Johnson's move to suspend parliament

Johnson wants Parliament suspended till October 14. Is the UK Heading towards a No-Deal Brexit? Know from Mandy Clark

Johnson wants Parliament suspended till October 14

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-alone-will-be-to-blame-for-no-deal-brexit-eu-tells-johnson-246104">Britain's government</a> will seek to extend the period during which parliament does not normally sit, shutting it for around a month until October 14, as part of a drive to prevent politicians from derailing its Brexit plan, the BBC reported.

The move, also reported by the Guardian, limits the amount of parliamentary time available to lawmakers who want to prevent Prime Minister Boris Johnson from leaving the EU without an exit deal.

Johnson's office did not immediately comment on the reports, which caused the pound to fall.

It comes a day after lawmakers who are opposed to a so-called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britains-corbyn-will-do-everything-necessary-to-stop-no-deal-brexit-245995">no-deal Brexit</a> met to discuss ways they could use parliamentary procedure to force Johnson to seek a delay to Brexit.

A meeting about the government's move to limit parliamentary time was due to take place at Queen Elizabeth's Scottish summer residence in Balmoral on Wednesday, the Guardian's political editor, Heather Stewart, said on Twitter.

"Suggestion from more than one source of a Privy Council meeting at Balmoral today, to discuss/agree extending the conference recess until 14 October," Stewart said.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

Boris Johnson; Britain's biggest embarrassment

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The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said senior ministers would hold a conference call on Wednesday morning.

Parliament returns on September 3 and had been expected to sit for two weeks before breaking up again to allow each national political party to hold their annual conference. Typically it begins sitting again in early October.

The BBC said Johnson would set an October 14 date for the Queen's Speech - the formal state opening of a new session of parliament at which Queen Elizabeth reads a speech prepared by the government, setting out a legislative agenda for the coming year.

A Queen's Speech on October 14 would delay parliament's return, and leave lawmakers with just over two weeks until Britain is due to leave the EU on October 31.

Britain's government will seek to extend the period during which parliament does not normally sit, shutting it for around a month until October 14, as part of a drive to prevent politicians from derailing its Brexit plan, the BBC reported.

Britain's government will seek to extend the period during which parliament does not normally sit, shutting it for around a month until October 14, as part of a drive to prevent politicians from derailing its Brexit plan, the BBC reported. The move, also reported by the Guardian, limits the amount of parliamentary time available to lawmakers who want to prevent Prime Minister Boris Johnson from leaving the EU without an exit deal. Johnson's office did not immediately comment on the reports, which caused the pound to fall. It comes a day after lawmakers who are opposed to a so-called no-deal Brexit met to discuss ways they could use parliamentary procedure to force Johnson to seek a delay to Brexit. A meeting about the government's move to limit parliamentary time was due to take place at Queen Elizabeth's Scottish summer residence in Balmoral on Wednesday, the Guardian's political editor, Heather Stewart, said on Twitter. "Suggestion from more than one source of a Privy Council meeting at Balmoral today, to discuss/agree extending the conference recess until 14 October," Stewart said. Buckingham Palace declined to comment. Boris Johnson; Britain's biggest embarrassment The BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg said senior ministers would hold a conference call on Wednesday morning. Parliament returns on September 3 and had been expected to sit for two weeks before breaking up again to allow each national political party to hold their annual conference. Typically it begins sitting again in early October. The BBC said Johnson would set an October 14 date for the Queen's Speech - the formal state opening of a new session of parliament at which Queen Elizabeth reads a speech prepared by the government, setting out a legislative agenda for the coming year. A Queen's Speech on October 14 would delay parliament's return, and leave lawmakers with just over two weeks until Britain is due to leave the EU on October 31.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson plans to restrict parliament time before Brexit: Report

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

After India's&nbsp;home minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-jammu-kashmir-situation-section-144-imposed-security-tightened-in-state-240732">Amit Shah announced the revoking of Article 370</a> and repealing of&nbsp;Article 35A of the Constitution of India which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its residents,&nbsp;former finance minister Arun Jaitley congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for "correcting a historic blunder".

''A historical wrong has been undone today. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-article-35a-heres-all-you-need-to-know-240752">Article 35A</a> came through the back door without following the procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India. It had to go. My compliments to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for correcting a historical blunder,'' Arun Jaitley tweeted.

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My complements to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for correcting a historical blunder.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1158269079964094464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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''The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-now-a-union-territory-ladakh-to-be-administered-from-delhi-as-ut-240769">decision of the government</a> will help the people of J&amp;K the most," he added.

"More investment, more industry, more private educational institutions, more jobs and more revenue. While <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/article-370-revoked-from-jammu-and-kashmir-all-you-need-to-know-240772">Article 370</a> and Article 35A decision benefits the residents of J&amp;K the most, the Kashmir regional leaders feel that they will not be able to whip up the fake issue of ‘sentiment vs. benefit’ to the people,'' Jaitley said in a series of tweets.

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While the Article 370 and Article 35A decision benefits the residents of J&amp;K the most, the Kashmir regional leaders feel that they will not be able to whip up the fake issue of ‘sentiment vs. benefit’ to the people.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1158269068861792257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Former Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj also hailed the decision.

''A bold and historic decision. We salute our Great India - one India,'' Swaraj tweeted.

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बहुत साहसिक और ऐतिहासिक निर्णय. श्रेष्ठ भारत - एक भारत का अभिनन्दन. 
A bold and historic decision. We salute our Great India - one India.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) <a href="https://twitter.com/SushmaSwaraj/status/1158268717316231168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, reports said PM Modi is likey to speak to the nation on the Jammu and Kashmir situation on August 7.

After India's home minister Amit Shah announced the revoking of Article 370 and repealing of Article 35A of the Constitution of India which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its residents, former finance minister Arun Jaitley congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for "correcting a historic blunder".

After India's home minister Amit Shah announced the revoking of Article 370 and repealing of Article 35A of the Constitution of India which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its residents, former finance minister Arun Jaitley congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for "correcting a historic blunder". ''A historical wrong has been undone today. Article 35A came through the back door without following the procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India. It had to go. My compliments to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for correcting a historical blunder,'' Arun Jaitley tweeted. My complements to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the Home Minister Shri Amit Shah for correcting a historical blunder. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 5, 2019 × ''The decision of the government will help the people of J&K the most," he added. "More investment, more industry, more private educational institutions, more jobs and more revenue. While Article 370 and Article 35A decision benefits the residents of J&K the most, the Kashmir regional leaders feel that they will not be able to whip up the fake issue of ‘sentiment vs. benefit’ to the people,'' Jaitley said in a series of tweets. While the Article 370 and Article 35A decision benefits the residents of J&K the most, the Kashmir regional leaders feel that they will not be able to whip up the fake issue of ‘sentiment vs. benefit’ to the people. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 5, 2019 × Former Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj also hailed the decision. ''A bold and historic decision. We salute our Great India - one India,'' Swaraj tweeted. बहुत साहसिक और ऐतिहासिक निर्णय. श्रेष्ठ भारत - एक भारत का अभिनन्दन. A bold and historic decision. We salute our Great India - one India. — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 5, 2019 × Meanwhile, reports said PM Modi is likey to speak to the nation on the Jammu and Kashmir situation on August 7.

Historical wrong has been undone today, says Arun Jaitley on J&K situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Parliament Library on the second day of 'Abhyas Varga' training programme being organised by the BJP for all its parliamentarians in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Modi was accompanied by BJP working president JP Nadda, among others.

On day one of the exercise, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-asks-party-mps-to-take-government-work-to-grassroots-240429">Prime Minister gave lessons</a> to the newly-elected BJP MPs on how to become a successful public representative.

According to those who attended the training being held in the Parliament premises, Modi asked the MPs to remain connected with their well-wishers who had worked for their success in their respective constituencies.

While Modi spoke on how to become an 'efficient MP', Nadda spoke on organisation expansion and party's mantra of 'paanch nishthayen' (that include Rashtriyata (nationalism), democracy, gandhiwadi samajwad (Gandhian socialism), sarvadharm sambhav (religious harmony) and politics guided by morals.

Chosen by the party, the lawmakers -- Bhagwanth Kuba, C R Patil and Sudhir Gupta shared the formula of being a "successful MP". 
The trio, under the leadership of Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, shared the stories of implementation of central government schemes in their respective constituencies.

The agenda of the two-day 'Abhyas Varga' training programme is a focused group discussion on 'Situation in West Bengal' and a session that imparts NaMo App training to parliamentarians among other things.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Parliament Library on the second day of 'Abhyas Varga' training programme being organised by the BJP for all its parliamentarians in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived in Parliament Library on the second day of 'Abhyas Varga' training programme being organised by the BJP for all its parliamentarians in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Modi was accompanied by BJP working president JP Nadda, among others. On day one of the exercise, the Prime Minister gave lessons to the newly-elected BJP MPs on how to become a successful public representative. According to those who attended the training being held in the Parliament premises, Modi asked the MPs to remain connected with their well-wishers who had worked for their success in their respective constituencies. While Modi spoke on how to become an 'efficient MP', Nadda spoke on organisation expansion and party's mantra of 'paanch nishthayen' (that include Rashtriyata (nationalism), democracy, gandhiwadi samajwad (Gandhian socialism), sarvadharm sambhav (religious harmony) and politics guided by morals. Chosen by the party, the lawmakers -- Bhagwanth Kuba, C R Patil and Sudhir Gupta shared the formula of being a "successful MP". The trio, under the leadership of Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, shared the stories of implementation of central government schemes in their respective constituencies. The agenda of the two-day 'Abhyas Varga' training programme is a focused group discussion on 'Situation in West Bengal' and a session that imparts NaMo App training to parliamentarians among other things.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Parliament for second day of training programme

Russian police forcibly detained nearly 700 people attending a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-police-detain-prominent-opposition-activist-before-protest-240446">protest in Moscow</a> on Saturday to demand free elections, including prominent activist Lyubov Sobol, after authorities warned the demonstration was illegal.

Police removed Sobol from a taxi and bundled her into a van minutes before the start of what anti-Kremlin activists described as a peaceful walk to protest against the exclusion of their candidates from an election next month.

Soon after the start of the protest, a Reuters reporter saw several hundred people milling around at one of the designated protest points in central Moscow. Minutes later, a line of riot police began to squeeze people out of the area.

OVD-Info, an independent monitoring group, said police had detained 685 people, in some cases beating them with truncheons as they lay on the floor. Reuters reporters witnessed dozens of arrests. In one case police carried off a man as he clung upside down to his bicycle.

Police said they had detained 600 and said 1,500 had attended the protest, though footage of demonstrations which flared in different parts of Moscow suggested many more had taken part.

Saturday's protest was smaller than one a week earlier but underlined the determination of some Kremlin critics -- especially younger people -- to keep pressing to open up Russia's tightly-choreographed political system.

The focus of protesters' anger is a prohibition on a number of opposition-minded candidates, some of whom are allies of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-launches-probe-against-kremlin-critic-alexei-navalnys-anti-graft-group-240459">jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny</a>, from taking part in a September election for Moscow's city legislature.

That vote, though local, is seen as a dry run for a national parliamentary election in 2021.

Authorities say opposition candidates failed to collect enough genuine signatures to register. The excluded candidates say that is a lie and insist on taking part in a contest they believe they could win.

"They (the authorities) are wiping their feet on us," said Elena, a student attending Saturday's protest.

Another attendee, Yevgeny Snetkov, a 61-year-old engineer, described as brazen the way the authorities had prevented opposition candidates from running. "I had no option left but to protest," he said.

Some protesters chanted "Putin is a thief" as they marched.

International condemnation

Observers said the police presence was one of the biggest at such a protest in nearly a decade. Mobile internet access went down in some areas and police cordoned off swathes of central Moscow to stop people gathering.

At a similar protest a week earlier, police detained more than 1,300 in one of the biggest security operations of recent years that brought wide international condemnation.

Authorities carried out a new round of detentions and home searches before Saturday's protest and opened criminal proceedings for what they term mass civil unrest, an offence which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in jail.

Activists say the Russian constitution allows them to freely protest. But authorities say they need to agree the timing and location of any demonstrations in advance, something that was not done ahead of Saturday's protest.

Opposition activists say the authorities have repeatedly refused to allow protests in central Moscow, leaving them with no choice but to go ahead anyway.

At least eight of Sobol's allies, including Navalny, are in jail for breaking tough protest laws. The ruling United Russia dominates the national parliament and Navalny plus his allies are starved of media air-time.

Russian investigators said on Saturday they had opened a criminal investigation into the alleged laundering of 1 billion roubles ($15.3 million) by an anti-corruption foundation which Navalny set up. Navalny and his allies say the foundation is transparently financed from public donations.

President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin have not commented on the standoff with the opposition, but Moscow prosecutors on Friday warned would-be protesters that Saturday's demonstration had not been approved and its organisers could be brought to account.

At well over 60 percent, Putin's approval rating is still high compared with many other world leaders, but is lower than it used to be due to discontent over years of falling incomes.

Last year the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer won a landslide re-election and a new six-year term until 2024.

Russian police forcibly detained nearly 700 people attending a protest in Moscow on Saturday to demand free elections, including prominent activist Lyubov Sobol, after authorities warned the demonstration was illegal.

Russian police forcibly detained nearly 700 people attending a protest in Moscow on Saturday to demand free elections, including prominent activist Lyubov Sobol, after authorities warned the demonstration was illegal. Police removed Sobol from a taxi and bundled her into a van minutes before the start of what anti-Kremlin activists described as a peaceful walk to protest against the exclusion of their candidates from an election next month. Soon after the start of the protest, a Reuters reporter saw several hundred people milling around at one of the designated protest points in central Moscow. Minutes later, a line of riot police began to squeeze people out of the area. OVD-Info, an independent monitoring group, said police had detained 685 people, in some cases beating them with truncheons as they lay on the floor. Reuters reporters witnessed dozens of arrests. In one case police carried off a man as he clung upside down to his bicycle. Police said they had detained 600 and said 1,500 had attended the protest, though footage of demonstrations which flared in different parts of Moscow suggested many more had taken part. Saturday's protest was smaller than one a week earlier but underlined the determination of some Kremlin critics -- especially younger people -- to keep pressing to open up Russia's tightly-choreographed political system. The focus of protesters' anger is a prohibition on a number of opposition-minded candidates, some of whom are allies of jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny, from taking part in a September election for Moscow's city legislature. That vote, though local, is seen as a dry run for a national parliamentary election in 2021. Authorities say opposition candidates failed to collect enough genuine signatures to register. The excluded candidates say that is a lie and insist on taking part in a contest they believe they could win. "They (the authorities) are wiping their feet on us," said Elena, a student attending Saturday's protest. Another attendee, Yevgeny Snetkov, a 61-year-old engineer, described as brazen the way the authorities had prevented opposition candidates from running. "I had no option left but to protest," he said. Some protesters chanted "Putin is a thief" as they marched. International condemnation Observers said the police presence was one of the biggest at such a protest in nearly a decade. Mobile internet access went down in some areas and police cordoned off swathes of central Moscow to stop people gathering. At a similar protest a week earlier, police detained more than 1,300 in one of the biggest security operations of recent years that brought wide international condemnation. Authorities carried out a new round of detentions and home searches before Saturday's protest and opened criminal proceedings for what they term mass civil unrest, an offence which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in jail. Activists say the Russian constitution allows them to freely protest. But authorities say they need to agree the timing and location of any demonstrations in advance, something that was not done ahead of Saturday's protest. Opposition activists say the authorities have repeatedly refused to allow protests in central Moscow, leaving them with no choice but to go ahead anyway. At least eight of Sobol's allies, including Navalny, are in jail for breaking tough protest laws. The ruling United Russia dominates the national parliament and Navalny plus his allies are starved of media air-time. Russian investigators said on Saturday they had opened a criminal investigation into the alleged laundering of 1 billion roubles ($15.3 million) by an anti-corruption foundation which Navalny set up. Navalny and his allies say the foundation is transparently financed from public donations. President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin have not commented on the standoff with the opposition, but Moscow prosecutors on Friday warned would-be protesters that Saturday's demonstration had not been approved and its organisers could be brought to account. At well over 60 percent, Putin's approval rating is still high compared with many other world leaders, but is lower than it used to be due to discontent over years of falling incomes. Last year the 66-year-old former KGB intelligence officer won a landslide re-election and a new six-year term until 2024.

Russian police detain nearly 700 in opposition crackdown in Moscow

A two-day orientation programme for the 303 newly elected BJP MPs and the 78 Rajya Sabha MPs will be organised on August 3-4 in the Parliament library building with an aim to impart training and enhancing Parliamentary and public conduct to the MPs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-reviews-bihar-flood-situation-death-toll-rises-to-134-239330">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> will inaugurate the two-day event which is likely to be addressed by several other senior party leaders including BJP chief and Home Minister Amit Shah. The senior leaders will also try and inspire the new legislators to emulate best practices.

"Every year the party organises training programmes for its workers from the booth to top-level but due to elections, it could not be taken up this year. A training program for MPs of both the houses will be held on August 3-4 at Parliament," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters after a meeting of the BJP parliamentary party.

In 2014, when the BJP came to power, such a training programme was organised for the newly-elected MPs in Haryana's Surajkund.

Joshi said in the current session of the Parliament both the houses have passed 15 Bills with the government intending to pass 11 more Bills in the rest seven sittings. The session will conclude on August 7.

He said the Lok Sabha has passed six Bills in the session which are yet to get the approval of the Rajya Sabha. The Upper House has passed four Bills in the session.

"11 Bills are pending. We are requesting the opposition parties to sit till long to pass these Bills," he said.

Joshi said the session has so far been very productive and thanked the opposition parties for their cooperation.

"In recent history, it has been a big productive session and I thank all the opposition parties for their cooperation," he said.

A two-day orientation programme for the 303 newly elected BJP MPs and the 78 Rajya Sabha MPs will be organised on August 3-4 in the Parliament library building with an aim to impart training and enhancing Parliamentary and public conduct to the MPs.

A two-day orientation programme for the 303 newly elected BJP MPs and the 78 Rajya Sabha MPs will be organised on August 3-4 in the Parliament library building with an aim to impart training and enhancing Parliamentary and public conduct to the MPs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the two-day event which is likely to be addressed by several other senior party leaders including BJP chief and Home Minister Amit Shah. The senior leaders will also try and inspire the new legislators to emulate best practices. "Every year the party organises training programmes for its workers from the booth to top-level but due to elections, it could not be taken up this year. A training program for MPs of both the houses will be held on August 3-4 at Parliament," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told reporters after a meeting of the BJP parliamentary party. In 2014, when the BJP came to power, such a training programme was organised for the newly-elected MPs in Haryana's Surajkund. Joshi said in the current session of the Parliament both the houses have passed 15 Bills with the government intending to pass 11 more Bills in the rest seven sittings. The session will conclude on August 7. He said the Lok Sabha has passed six Bills in the session which are yet to get the approval of the Rajya Sabha. The Upper House has passed four Bills in the session. "11 Bills are pending. We are requesting the opposition parties to sit till long to pass these Bills," he said. Joshi said the session has so far been very productive and thanked the opposition parties for their cooperation. "In recent history, it has been a big productive session and I thank all the opposition parties for their cooperation," he said.

PM Modi to address two-day orientation programme for BJP MPs

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-rubbishes-donald-trumps-claim-that-pm-modi-asked-him-to-mediate-in-resolving-kashmir-issue-237794">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> planted saplings in Parliament as part of a tree plantation campaign by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla here on Friday.

Speaking to ANI, Birla said, "The Prime Minister has spread out a message of 'Green India' and I believe that we will make every village and city in the country green. If we want to keep the environment healthy, we have to make this country green. Earlier we had 'Swachchta Abhiyan' and now we will start 'Green India' to purify the environment."

The speaker also expressed his desire of making the country an example of healthy living and rich-green environment.

"Whenever people think of a green environment, India should be the country which comes in their minds," he said.

Among others present were Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.

&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted saplings in Parliament as part of a tree plantation campaign by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla here on Friday. Speaking to ANI, Birla said, "The Prime Minister has spread out a message of 'Green India' and I believe that we will make every village and city in the country green.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted saplings in Parliament as part of a tree plantation campaign by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla here on Friday. Speaking to ANI, Birla said, "The Prime Minister has spread out a message of 'Green India' and I believe that we will make every village and city in the country green. If we want to keep the environment healthy, we have to make this country green. Earlier we had 'Swachchta Abhiyan' and now we will start 'Green India' to purify the environment." The speaker also expressed his desire of making the country an example of healthy living and rich-green environment. "Whenever people think of a green environment, India should be the country which comes in their minds," he said. Among others present were Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar.

PM Modi plants saplings in Parliament as part of plantation drive

As many as 17 opposition members have written to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajya-sabha-passes-right-to-information-amendment-bill-2019-238465">Rajya Sabha</a> Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu raising serious concerns over how the Central government is "hurriedly" <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-passes-triple-talaq-bill-congress-stages-walkout-238448">passing legislation</a> without any scrutiny by the Standing or Select Committees of Parliament.

In the letter dated July 25, the lawmakers have said that it is a fundamental departure from the established practice and healthy traditions of enacting legislations.

"In the 14th Lok Sabha, 60 per cent of Bills were sent for scrutiny to the parliamentary committees. In the 15th Lok Sabha, 71 per cent of Bills were sent for scrutiny. In the 16th Lok Sabha, only 26 per cent of Bills were sent for scrutiny. Now, in the 17th Lok Sabha, 14 Bills have already been passed in the first session. But, none of these Bills has been referred to a Standing Committee or Select Committee for a legislative scrutiny," the members wrote.

They have underlined that public consultation is a long-established practice where parliamentary committees scrutinise Bills, deliberate, engage and work towards improving the content and quality of the legislation.

The MPs recalled that the first session of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Lok Sabha had about 10 sittings each.&nbsp;

"In that time, only a handful of Bills, that had undergone parliamentary scrutiny, were passed," they said.

"The first Session of the 17th Lok Sabha has had 30 sittings. In this period, a dubious record has been set up: 14 Bills have been passed and none has been scrutinised by any Parliamentary Committee. Further, 11 more Bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passing," the letter read.

Recalling an incident, the MPs wrote, "The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was laid on the table of Rajya Sabha at 5.01 pm on Friday, July 19. It was then listed for discussion in the house for the next working day, i.e., July 22. Members were not given sufficient time to file notices of amendments to the Bill."

"Later, on the morning of July 22, the members were verbally informed at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting that the notice to amendments to the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill can be filed till 12 noon. This is a violation of Rule 95 of the 'Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States' which entitles the members to have at least one day's (working) time to file amendment notices," they added.

The members said that once the Bill was taken up for consideration and passing, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh invoked Rule 266.

"Rule 266 is clear. It may be invoked in case of 'matters not specifically provided for' in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. In this case, however, Rule 95 is explicit in its provisions," they said.

The members have demanded that short duration discussions should be held under Rule 176 in the Upper House, underlining that it allows them to raise matters of urgent public importance.

"There is a long-standing convention to have one short duration discussion each week. In the four weeks of the Budget session, only two short-duration discussions have been allowed," they said.

The members further urged Naidu to ensure that the voice of the opposition is not "smothered" in the Rajya Sabha.

"While we understand our responsibility and the need to enact legislation, any attempt by the government to undermine the privileges of members, the rules and established conventions will diminish the role of the council of states as envisaged by our founding fathers," the MPs stated.

Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma (Congress), Derek O`Brien (TMC), Ram Gopal Yadav (SP), Majeed Memon (NCP), Manoj Jha (RJD), Vaiko (MDMK), and Sanjay Singh (AAP) are among the 17 MPs, who wrote the letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.&nbsp;

As many as 17 opposition members have written to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu raising serious concerns over how the Central government is "hurriedly" passing legislation without any scrutiny by the Standing or Select Committees of Parliament.

As many as 17 opposition members have written to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu raising serious concerns over how the Central government is "hurriedly" passing legislation without any scrutiny by the Standing or Select Committees of Parliament. In the letter dated July 25, the lawmakers have said that it is a fundamental departure from the established practice and healthy traditions of enacting legislations. "In the 14th Lok Sabha, 60 per cent of Bills were sent for scrutiny to the parliamentary committees. In the 15th Lok Sabha, 71 per cent of Bills were sent for scrutiny. In the 16th Lok Sabha, only 26 per cent of Bills were sent for scrutiny. Now, in the 17th Lok Sabha, 14 Bills have already been passed in the first session. But, none of these Bills has been referred to a Standing Committee or Select Committee for a legislative scrutiny," the members wrote. They have underlined that public consultation is a long-established practice where parliamentary committees scrutinise Bills, deliberate, engage and work towards improving the content and quality of the legislation. The MPs recalled that the first session of the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th Lok Sabha had about 10 sittings each. "In that time, only a handful of Bills, that had undergone parliamentary scrutiny, were passed," they said. "The first Session of the 17th Lok Sabha has had 30 sittings. In this period, a dubious record has been set up: 14 Bills have been passed and none has been scrutinised by any Parliamentary Committee. Further, 11 more Bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passing," the letter read. Recalling an incident, the MPs wrote, "The Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was laid on the table of Rajya Sabha at 5.01 pm on Friday, July 19. It was then listed for discussion in the house for the next working day, i.e., July 22. Members were not given sufficient time to file notices of amendments to the Bill." "Later, on the morning of July 22, the members were verbally informed at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting that the notice to amendments to the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill can be filed till 12 noon. This is a violation of Rule 95 of the 'Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States' which entitles the members to have at least one day's (working) time to file amendment notices," they added. The members said that once the Bill was taken up for consideration and passing, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh invoked Rule 266. "Rule 266 is clear. It may be invoked in case of 'matters not specifically provided for' in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. In this case, however, Rule 95 is explicit in its provisions," they said. The members have demanded that short duration discussions should be held under Rule 176 in the Upper House, underlining that it allows them to raise matters of urgent public importance. "There is a long-standing convention to have one short duration discussion each week. In the four weeks of the Budget session, only two short-duration discussions have been allowed," they said. The members further urged Naidu to ensure that the voice of the opposition is not "smothered" in the Rajya Sabha. "While we understand our responsibility and the need to enact legislation, any attempt by the government to undermine the privileges of members, the rules and established conventions will diminish the role of the council of states as envisaged by our founding fathers," the MPs stated. Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma (Congress), Derek O`Brien (TMC), Ram Gopal Yadav (SP), Majeed Memon (NCP), Manoj Jha (RJD), Vaiko (MDMK), and Sanjay Singh (AAP) are among the 17 MPs, who wrote the letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

17 Opposition MPs express concern over passing Bills without scrutiny, write to Rajya Sabha Chairman

The ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament could be extended for 10 days, Home Minister Amit Shah informed lawmakers during the BJP`s Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday. 
 
The meeting was held at the Library Building, ahead of the day's proceedings. Apart from the BJP president, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi also told MPs about the likely extension of the session. 
 
Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to name a few. After the previous meeting held last week, Joshi had said the Prime Minister reiterated that attendance is compulsory in the House and there is no exception to this. He had also asked lawmakers to ensure that the government schemes reach people. 
 
"There are complaints that ministers remain absent during their roster duties. Prime Minister asked for their names by the evening and said that serious cognizance will be taken," a senior BJP parliamentarian, who was present in the meeting, had told ANI on the condition of anonymity.

The ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament could be extended for 10 days, Home Minister Amit Shah informed lawmakers during the BJP`s Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday.

The ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament could be extended for 10 days, Home Minister Amit Shah informed lawmakers during the BJP`s Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was held at the Library Building, ahead of the day's proceedings. Apart from the BJP president, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi also told MPs about the likely extension of the session. Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to name a few. After the previous meeting held last week, Joshi had said the Prime Minister reiterated that attendance is compulsory in the House and there is no exception to this. He had also asked lawmakers to ensure that the government schemes reach people. "There are complaints that ministers remain absent during their roster duties. Prime Minister asked for their names by the evening and said that serious cognizance will be taken," a senior BJP parliamentarian, who was present in the meeting, had told ANI on the condition of anonymity.

Monsoon Session of Parliament may be extended for 10 days, Amit Shah informs party MPs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came down heavily on some ministers who were absent from Parliament duty. 
 
During the BJP's weekly parliamentary party meeting, he asked for a list of ministers who did not adhere to the roster and were absent from their Parliament duty today.

Whenever Parliament is in session, a roster is prepared for the MPs. It mentions as to when an MP should compulsorily attend the House.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also asked parliamentarians to work towards ensuring that government schemes reach people across the country.

He urged BJP MPs to work on humanitarian causes apart from their parliamentary duties."He told members to work on humanitarian causes. He took the example of the disease of leprosy," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi.

Modi also asked the lawmakers to work towards the issues related to water scarcity.

The meeting was attended by all BJP MPs of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, and Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan were among the early leaders to arrive for the meeting.&nbsp; 
 
Currently, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is underway. The session will conclude on July 26.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came down heavily on some ministers who were absent from Parliament duty. During the BJP's weekly parliamentary party meeting, he asked for a list of ministers who did not adhere to the roster and were absent from their Parliament duty today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday came down heavily on some ministers who were absent from Parliament duty. During the BJP's weekly parliamentary party meeting, he asked for a list of ministers who did not adhere to the roster and were absent from their Parliament duty today. Whenever Parliament is in session, a roster is prepared for the MPs. It mentions as to when an MP should compulsorily attend the House. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also asked parliamentarians to work towards ensuring that government schemes reach people across the country. He urged BJP MPs to work on humanitarian causes apart from their parliamentary duties."He told members to work on humanitarian causes. He took the example of the disease of leprosy," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi. Modi also asked the lawmakers to work towards the issues related to water scarcity. The meeting was attended by all BJP MPs of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, and Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan were among the early leaders to arrive for the meeting. Currently, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is underway. The session will conclude on July 26. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Narendra Modi upset with BJP MPs for skipping roster duty in Parliament

While addressing Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) parliamentary meeting with lawmakers, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-upset-with-bjp-mps-over-attendance-in-parliament-236321">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> said that number of days in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament can be extended, if needed.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi came down heavily on some ministers who were absent from Parliament duty.

During the meeting, he asked for a list of ministers who did not adhere to the roster and were absent from their Parliament duty today.

The prime minister also asked parliamentarians to work towards ensuring that government schemes reach people across the country.

The meeting was attended by all BJP MPs of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of External Affairs, S&nbsp;Jaishankar, and Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan were among the early leaders to arrive for the meeting.&nbsp;

Currently, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is underway. The session will conclude on July 26.

While addressing Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) parliamentary meeting with lawmakers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that number of days in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament can be extended, if needed.

While addressing Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) parliamentary meeting with lawmakers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that number of days in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament can be extended, if needed. Earlier in the day, PM Modi came down heavily on some ministers who were absent from Parliament duty. During the meeting, he asked for a list of ministers who did not adhere to the roster and were absent from their Parliament duty today. The prime minister also asked parliamentarians to work towards ensuring that government schemes reach people across the country. The meeting was attended by all BJP MPs of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, and Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan were among the early leaders to arrive for the meeting. Currently, the Monsoon Session of Parliament is underway. The session will conclude on July 26.

Can extend Parliament session if needed: PM Modi tells BJP lawmakers

Congress MPs on Monday submitted an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over 'pension of disabled Army personnel'. 
 
An adjournment motion is an extraordinary procedure which, if admitted, leads to setting aside the normal business of the House for discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance.

The disability pension till now was not taxed by the government but recently, the government decided to tax it leading to opposition from the veterans community. 
 
On July 2, the Army headquarters clarified that though it is concerned for all personnel who are invalidated out of service in combat conditions or otherwise, and need additional support but "discourages those who seek financial gains through their disabilities."

Over the years broad-banding and compensation awarded for disability with income tax exemption has led to a rise in personnel seeking disability, even for lifestyle diseases. The trend is worrisome that too when the security challenges to the nation are on the rise," the Army headquarters stated. 
 
The sources said the Army has immense respect for the officers and jawans who suffer disability in line of action and they deserve much more than they are getting in terms of financial gains. 
 
The Army has also stated that higher compensation awarded for disability with tax exemption has over the years led to a rise in personnel seeking disability even for lifestyle diseases. At a time when the Army is trying to fight the trend of an increasing number of its personnel seeking disability pensions, it had emerged that more than 2,000 officers including more than 85 Brigadiers and Major Generals have sought disability pension for diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure in the last two years. 
 
In 2018, 52 officers above the rank of Brigadier and 977 officers of the rank of Colonel and below have sought disability pensions, sources said.&nbsp;

Congress MPs on Monday submitted an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over 'pension of disabled Army personnel'. An adjournment motion is an extraordinary procedure which, if admitted, leads to setting aside the normal business of the House for discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance.

Congress MPs on Monday submitted an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over 'pension of disabled Army personnel'. An adjournment motion is an extraordinary procedure which, if admitted, leads to setting aside the normal business of the House for discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance. The disability pension till now was not taxed by the government but recently, the government decided to tax it leading to opposition from the veterans community. On July 2, the Army headquarters clarified that though it is concerned for all personnel who are invalidated out of service in combat conditions or otherwise, and need additional support but "discourages those who seek financial gains through their disabilities." Over the years broad-banding and compensation awarded for disability with income tax exemption has led to a rise in personnel seeking disability, even for lifestyle diseases. The trend is worrisome that too when the security challenges to the nation are on the rise," the Army headquarters stated. The sources said the Army has immense respect for the officers and jawans who suffer disability in line of action and they deserve much more than they are getting in terms of financial gains. The Army has also stated that higher compensation awarded for disability with tax exemption has over the years led to a rise in personnel seeking disability even for lifestyle diseases. At a time when the Army is trying to fight the trend of an increasing number of its personnel seeking disability pensions, it had emerged that more than 2,000 officers including more than 85 Brigadiers and Major Generals have sought disability pension for diseases including diabetes and high blood pressure in the last two years. In 2018, 52 officers above the rank of Brigadier and 977 officers of the rank of Colonel and below have sought disability pensions, sources said.

Congress submits adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over 'pension of disabled Army personnel'

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Wednesday reply to the debate on the Union Budget which she presented in Parliament on July 5.

Opposition leaders have criticised the Budget which aims to make India a $5 trillion economy in the next five years.

Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have called the Budget disappointing.

"There is nothing new, it is a repetition of old promises. They are talking about new India but the Budget is the same old wine in a new bottle. There is no plan for employment generation, no new initiatives," Chowdhury had said.

Tharoor had express unhappiness over the government's decision to hike fuel prices.

"We are already paying the highest petrol rates in the world and they now want us to pay Rs 2 more for every litre. This will affect the 'aam aadmi'&nbsp;(common man) as prices of all items of consumption will become expensive with the rise in petrol price," Tharoor had said.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had described the Budget as "anti-people, anti-youth, anti-poor and farmers"."(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji's new government is against people, youth, poor and farmers. The Finance Minister not even once mentioned about the plight of farmers. She did not mention as to how the income of farmers will be doubled or how employment will be generated," Surjewala had said.&nbsp;

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Wednesday reply to the debate on the Union Budget which she presented in Parliament on July 5. Opposition leaders have criticised the Budget which aims to make India a $5 trillion economy in the next five years.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will on Wednesday reply to the debate on the Union Budget which she presented in Parliament on July 5. Opposition leaders have criticised the Budget which aims to make India a $5 trillion economy in the next five years. Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have called the Budget disappointing. "There is nothing new, it is a repetition of old promises. They are talking about new India but the Budget is the same old wine in a new bottle. There is no plan for employment generation, no new initiatives," Chowdhury had said. Tharoor had express unhappiness over the government's decision to hike fuel prices. "We are already paying the highest petrol rates in the world and they now want us to pay Rs 2 more for every litre. This will affect the 'aam aadmi' (common man) as prices of all items of consumption will become expensive with the rise in petrol price," Tharoor had said. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had described the Budget as "anti-people, anti-youth, anti-poor and farmers"."(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji's new government is against people, youth, poor and farmers. The Finance Minister not even once mentioned about the plight of farmers. She did not mention as to how the income of farmers will be doubled or how employment will be generated," Surjewala had said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to reply to Budget debate in Parliament today

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary party meeting took place on Tuesday at the Parliament library building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the meeting which included the Members of Parliament of both the houses.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi briefed the media about the meeting.

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Briefed the Media after the BJP Parliamentary Party Meeting today at GMC Balayogi Auditorium along with <a href="https://twitter.com/arjunrammeghwal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@arjunrammeghwal</a> ji<a href="https://twitter.com/mpa_india?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mpa_india</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BJP4India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BJP4India</a> <a href="https://t.co/VUF3SI88g1">pic.twitter.com/VUF3SI88g1</a>
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshiPralhad/status/1148466488979816448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
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While addressing the media, Joshi said, ''In his address, PM Modi mentioned a very important programme regarding 'Gandhi 150', the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Between October 2-31, a 150 kilometres long ''padayatra'' will be undertaken in each Lok Sabha constituency.''

''Rajya Sabha MPs will be allotted a constituency. 15-20 teams will be formed in each constituency. They'll undertake 15 kilometres 'padayatra' daily. MPs will organise programs on Gandhi Ji, freedom struggle, tree plantation. There'll be a party level committee to implement it,'' Joshi added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior leaders were also present at the meeting.

The leaders at the meeting congratulated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/budget-2019-here-is-what-favours-you-and-what-does-not-233308">Sitharaman for presenting the Union Budget 2019</a>. She is the first full-time woman Finance minister who presented the budget.

This was the first meeting of BJP after the Budget.

The finance minister unveiled India's Budget for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, to Parliament on June 5. She announced a slew of measures in the Budget to boost the economy.&nbsp;

The budget proposals were welcomed with frequent thumping of desks by the treasury benches with PM Modi too joining the members.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary party meeting took place on Tuesday at the Parliament library building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the meeting which included the Members of Parliament of both the houses.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Parliamentary party meeting took place on Tuesday at the Parliament library building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the meeting which included the Members of Parliament of both the houses. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi briefed the media about the meeting. Briefed the Media after the BJP Parliamentary Party Meeting today at GMC Balayogi Auditorium along with @arjunrammeghwal ji@mpa_india @narendramodi @BJP4India pic.twitter.com/VUF3SI88g1 — Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) July 9, 2019 × While addressing the media, Joshi said, ''In his address, PM Modi mentioned a very important programme regarding 'Gandhi 150', the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Between October 2-31, a 150 kilometres long ''padayatra'' will be undertaken in each Lok Sabha constituency.'' ''Rajya Sabha MPs will be allotted a constituency. 15-20 teams will be formed in each constituency. They'll undertake 15 kilometres 'padayatra' daily. MPs will organise programs on Gandhi Ji, freedom struggle, tree plantation. There'll be a party level committee to implement it,'' Joshi added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior leaders were also present at the meeting. The leaders at the meeting congratulated Sitharaman for presenting the Union Budget 2019. She is the first full-time woman Finance minister who presented the budget. This was the first meeting of BJP after the Budget. The finance minister unveiled India's Budget for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020, to Parliament on June 5. She announced a slew of measures in the Budget to boost the economy. The budget proposals were welcomed with frequent thumping of desks by the treasury benches with PM Modi too joining the members.

PM Modi asks MPs to take 150 kilometres march on Gandhi Jayanti

Memorable lines from the Union Budget 2019. Sangam literature, life principles and more; here are some of the quotable quotes from Nirmala Sitharaman's maiden budget.

Gravitas: Nirmala Sitharaman's maiden Budget: Quotable quotes

Nirmala Sitharaman's maiden budget has not brought in any changes in income tax limits; but there are crucial changes. Surcharge on the super-rich rises while commodities like Gold & fuel get dearer. Palki summarises.

Gravitas: Budget 2019: The taxation picture

All you need to know about Union Budget 2019. It was not a populist budget, but Nirmala Sitharaman covered a host of areas in her maiden budget. Palki sums up the key areas of focus in Budget 2019.

Gravitas: Budget 2019: Key areas of focus

From harnessing India's space prowess to setting up social stock exchange to incentivising the transition to electric vehicles to making availability credit easier for MSMEs, here's Palki summing up some of the unique elements in Nirmala Sitharaman's maiden budget.

Gravitas: What's unique about Budget 2019

In Budget 2019, Re 2/litre increased on petrol and diesel each, custom duty on gold hiked #Budget2019 #UnionBudget2019 #IndiaBudget2019 #Budget

Budget 2019: Re2/litre increased on petrol and diesel each, custom duty on gold hiked

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