<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-continues-attack-on-opposition-says-congress-mukt-bharat-was-gandhis-idea-32115" target="_blank">speech</a> in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday was&nbsp;interrupted by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury who began laughing during his address.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reacting to her laughter, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu asked her not to indulge in such &quot;unruly behaviour&quot;. He also told her to go to a doctor &quot;if you have any problem&quot;.</p>

<p>Modi however told Naidu not to say anything to Chowdhury, adding that &quot;he had not heard such laughter since the Ramayan serial&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Sabhapati Jji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan seriel ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai,&quot; Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Sabhapati Ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961192558591430657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Chowdhury said the PM&#39;s &quot;personal remark&quot;&nbsp;was &quot;denigrating the status of a woman&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM made a personal remark, what else do you expect from him? I can&#39;t fall to that level to reply to him. This is actually called denigrating the status of a woman: Renuka Chowdhury,Congress <a href="https://t.co/5DIEYAOfdf">pic.twitter.com/5DIEYAOfdf</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961229554126815232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>While Union MInister Smriti Irani said it was Chowdhury who had been making &quot;indecent remarks&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi,&quot; Irani said.</p>

<p>&quot;Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks and when those remarks are met sarcastically, she makes her gender her shield?&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi. Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks &amp; when those remarks are met sarcastically she makes her gender her shield?: Union Minister Smriti Irani on PM Modi&#39;s remark on Renuka Chowdhury <a href="https://t.co/WeIicEjpRX">pic.twitter.com/WeIicEjpRX</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/961221794018545673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Chowdhury had started laughing during Modi's address

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday was interrupted by Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury who began laughing during his address. Reacting to her laughter, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu asked her not to indulge in such "unruly behaviour". He also told her to go to a doctor "if you have any problem". Modi however told Naidu not to say anything to Chowdhury, adding that "he had not heard such laughter since the Ramayan serial". "Sabhapati Jji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan seriel ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai," Modi said. Sabhapati Ji meri aapse vinti hai Renuka Ji ko kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aisi hansi sunne ka saubhagya aaj jaake mila hai: PM Modi on Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury laughing during his speech in Rajya Sabha — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × Chowdhury said the PM's "personal remark" was "denigrating the status of a woman". PM made a personal remark, what else do you expect from him? I can't fall to that level to reply to him. This is actually called denigrating the status of a woman: Renuka Chowdhury,Congress pic.twitter.com/5DIEYAOfdf — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 × While Union MInister Smriti Irani said it was Chowdhury who had been making "indecent remarks". "I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi," Irani said. "Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks and when those remarks are met sarcastically, she makes her gender her shield?" I was present there. I heard the kind of indecent remarks she was making on PM Modi. Is it justified that she makes indecent remarks & when those remarks are met sarcastically she makes her gender her shield?: Union Minister Smriti Irani on PM Modi's remark on Renuka Chowdhury pic.twitter.com/WeIicEjpRX — ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2018 ×

Renuka Chowdhury interrupts Modi's speech in Rajya Sabha, spat follows

<p>Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said there has been&nbsp;increase in the number of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/highest-number-of-youth-joined-militant-group-in-2017-report-27600" target="_blank"> youth who have joined militancy </a>in 2017.</p>

<p>&quot;Number of youths who joined militancy in 2017 is 126, while in 2016 the number was 88 and in 2015, it was 66,&quot; the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said in a written reply in the state assembly.</p>

<p>According to the date, 2017 has been marked as the year of highest recruitment of youth in militant groups in the last seven years.</p>

<p>The data placed before Parliament in March last year, showed a steady hike in the number of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards, as compared to 2011, 2012 and 2013.</p>

<p>This rush in locals joining militancy was witnessed after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in South Kashmir on July 8, 2016.</p>

<p>Mufti further said that certain Separatist leaders including two women were detained in terms of the provisions of the Public Safety Act, 1978 to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state or maintenance of the public order.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


'Number of youths who joined militancy in 2017 is 126, while in 2016 the number was 88 and in 2015, it was 66,' Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply in the state assembly

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said there has been increase in the number of youth who have joined militancy in 2017. "Number of youths who joined militancy in 2017 is 126, while in 2016 the number was 88 and in 2015, it was 66," the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said in a written reply in the state assembly. According to the date, 2017 has been marked as the year of highest recruitment of youth in militant groups in the last seven years. The data placed before Parliament in March last year, showed a steady hike in the number of youths taking up arms in the Valley from 2014 onwards, as compared to 2011, 2012 and 2013. This rush in locals joining militancy was witnessed after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in South Kashmir on July 8, 2016. Mufti further said that certain Separatist leaders including two women were detained in terms of the provisions of the Public Safety Act, 1978 to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of the state or maintenance of the public order.

Spike in number of youths joining militancy: Mehbooba

<p>Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged a &quot;scam&quot; Tuesday in the Rafael deal, after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to disclose details of the deal on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;For the first time, the defence minister is saying that we will not share details of money spent on buying the aircraft...I spoke during the Gujarat polls that there is a scam (in the Rafale deal). Modi ji has personally got the deal done,&quot; PTI quoted Gandhi as telling reporters outside Parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Modi ji had personally gone to Paris. Personally the deal was changed. The entire India knows it. And the defence minister is saying she will not inform India, the Indian martyrs and their relatives about the money spent on buying those aircraft. What does this mean? This only means there is some scam,&quot; Gandhi added.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Defence Minister says that we will not reveal the amount paid for buying <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rafael?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rafael</a> aircrafts. What does this mean? This only means there is a scam. Modi ji personally went to Paris, he changed the deal. The whole country knows it: Congress President Rahul Gandhi <a href="https://t.co/C81lszYE9g">pic.twitter.com/C81lszYE9g</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960838110404849665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sitharaman had told Parliament on Monday that the government cannot disclose details of the fighter jet deal because of a secrecy pact between the governments of India and France.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Her response was to a written question in Rajya Sabha by Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal, who had asked whether the government did not want to disclose in public domain the agreement between India and France for purchasing the aircraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi party had sought disclosure of the amount being paid in the present deal.</p>

<p>The Congress has alleged that the price paid for the jets by the NDA government is higher than that finalised by the UPA in the previous deal.</p>

<p>Sitharaman was also asked whether there was any involvement of a private sector company in the deal, to which she clarified that neither any public sector nor private sector company was included in the agreement.</p>

<p>Sitharaman further added that the deal has been finalised at an amount lower than the earlier deal.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


'The defence minister is saying she will not inform India... What does this mean? This only means there is some scam,' said Rahul

Congress President Rahul Gandhi alleged a "scam" Tuesday in the Rafael deal, after Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to disclose details of the deal on Monday. "For the first time, the defence minister is saying that we will not share details of money spent on buying the aircraft...I spoke during the Gujarat polls that there is a scam (in the Rafale deal). Modi ji has personally got the deal done," PTI quoted Gandhi as telling reporters outside Parliament. "Modi ji had personally gone to Paris. Personally the deal was changed. The entire India knows it. And the defence minister is saying she will not inform India, the Indian martyrs and their relatives about the money spent on buying those aircraft. What does this mean? This only means there is some scam," Gandhi added. The Defence Minister says that we will not reveal the amount paid for buying #Rafael aircrafts. What does this mean? This only means there is a scam. Modi ji personally went to Paris, he changed the deal. The whole country knows it: Congress President Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/C81lszYE9g — ANI (@ANI) February 6, 2018 × Sitharaman had told Parliament on Monday that the government cannot disclose details of the fighter jet deal because of a secrecy pact between the governments of India and France. Her response was to a written question in Rajya Sabha by Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal, who had asked whether the government did not want to disclose in public domain the agreement between India and France for purchasing the aircraft. Leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi party had sought disclosure of the amount being paid in the present deal. The Congress has alleged that the price paid for the jets by the NDA government is higher than that finalised by the UPA in the previous deal. Sitharaman was also asked whether there was any involvement of a private sector company in the deal, to which she clarified that neither any public sector nor private sector company was included in the agreement. Sitharaman further added that the deal has been finalised at an amount lower than the earlier deal.

Rahul alleges 'scam' in Rafale deal

<p>It took a lot of time for this government to fill the &quot;hole&quot; it inherited from its predecessor, BJP President Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha Monday. Shah was making his debut speech in Parliament.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah said that taking that into consideration, his government&#39;s &quot;achievements&quot;&nbsp;should be looked at differently.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Sarkaar ne jab kaam-kaaj sambhala, tab sarkaar ke paas virasat me kya tha? Jis prakaar ka gaddha tha, wo gaddha bharne mein hi sarkaar ka bahut saara samay gaya hai aur gaddha bharne ke baad in uplabhdhiyon ko ek alag najariye se dekhein: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://t.co/W9mY8IkOEV">pic.twitter.com/W9mY8IkOEV</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960434519210897408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">BJP ne kabhi GST ka virodh nahi kiya tha, iske tarikon ka virodh kiya tha. UPA ye kar sudhar leke aayi, Cess ghatane se rajyon ko nuksaan hua, wo UPA ko chukana tha, par nahi chukaya. 37,000 crore NDA ne chukaya: Amit Shah <a href="https://t.co/LKxLhCx48e">pic.twitter.com/LKxLhCx48e</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960441082206150656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shah also referred to Prime Minister Modi&#39;s recent statement that a person selling pakodas should be seen as being employed. (The statement had been widely criticised.)</p>

<p>Shah however said Monday that he thought it better that somebody was working than begging. And that the children of the person selling pakodas would go on to become businessmen.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Abhi mai chidambaram sahab ka tweet padh raha tha ki &#39;mudra bank ke saath kisi ne pakode ka thela laga diya, isko rozgari kehte hain?&#39; Haan main maanta hu ki bheekh maangne se to accha hai ki koi mazdoori kar raha hai. Uski dusri pidhi aage aayegi to udyogpati banegi: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960436944235892736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;A chaiwala&#39;s son,&quot;&nbsp;he said, &quot;is sitting in Parliament today.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also spoke about &quot;Modicare&quot;, this government&#39;s proposal to give 500 million people health insurance. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;No other government has had the courage to do it,&quot; Shah said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Puri duniya mein jitne bhi loktantra hai, un sab ki yojanaon ko koi khangal kar dekh le, 50 crore logon ko 5 lakh ka bima suraksha dena, kisi bhi sarkaar me ye saahas nahi hai. Isiliye, Ayaushman Bharat ko ab &#39;Namo healthcare&#39; ke naam se ye janta jaanegi: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960438614256701440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shah also spoke about the &quot;surgical strikes&quot;, calling them a &quot;historic moment&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;World started seeing India from a different view. They realised that after America and Israel, India is the only country which can protect its soldiers and army,&quot; Shah said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shah also said that &quot;we handled the Kashmir issue very well&quot;. And that Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kashmir issue is very crucial problem for the nation. Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years. We handled the Kashmir issue very well: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960446104612556800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Sarvanumat se faisla hua hai.Aur shabd kya diya? Gabbar Singh Tax, kon hai Gabbar Singh? Sholay film me dakait ka naam tha. Kanoon se bana hua tax wasoolna daikaiti hai kya?: Amit Shah</p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/960443178561212416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The BJP President made his debut speech in the Rajya Sabha Monday

It took a lot of time for this government to fill the "hole" it inherited from its predecessor, BJP President Amit Shah said in the Rajya Sabha Monday. Shah was making his debut speech in Parliament. Shah said that taking that into consideration, his government's "achievements" should be looked at differently. Sarkaar ne jab kaam-kaaj sambhala, tab sarkaar ke paas virasat me kya tha? Jis prakaar ka gaddha tha, wo gaddha bharne mein hi sarkaar ka bahut saara samay gaya hai aur gaddha bharne ke baad in uplabhdhiyon ko ek alag najariye se dekhein: Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha pic.twitter.com/W9mY8IkOEV — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × BJP ne kabhi GST ka virodh nahi kiya tha, iske tarikon ka virodh kiya tha. UPA ye kar sudhar leke aayi, Cess ghatane se rajyon ko nuksaan hua, wo UPA ko chukana tha, par nahi chukaya. 37,000 crore NDA ne chukaya: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/LKxLhCx48e — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Shah also referred to Prime Minister Modi's recent statement that a person selling pakodas should be seen as being employed. (The statement had been widely criticised.) Shah however said Monday that he thought it better that somebody was working than begging. And that the children of the person selling pakodas would go on to become businessmen. Abhi mai chidambaram sahab ka tweet padh raha tha ki 'mudra bank ke saath kisi ne pakode ka thela laga diya, isko rozgari kehte hain?' Haan main maanta hu ki bheekh maangne se to accha hai ki koi mazdoori kar raha hai. Uski dusri pidhi aage aayegi to udyogpati banegi: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × "A chaiwala's son," he said, "is sitting in Parliament today." He also spoke about "Modicare", this government's proposal to give 500 million people health insurance. The announcement was made by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech. "No other government has had the courage to do it," Shah said. Puri duniya mein jitne bhi loktantra hai, un sab ki yojanaon ko koi khangal kar dekh le, 50 crore logon ko 5 lakh ka bima suraksha dena, kisi bhi sarkaar me ye saahas nahi hai. Isiliye, Ayaushman Bharat ko ab 'Namo healthcare' ke naam se ye janta jaanegi: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Shah also spoke about the "surgical strikes", calling them a "historic moment". "World started seeing India from a different view. They realised that after America and Israel, India is the only country which can protect its soldiers and army," Shah said. Shah also said that "we handled the Kashmir issue very well". And that Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years". Kashmir issue is very crucial problem for the nation. Kashmir has never been so safe in the last 35 years. We handled the Kashmir issue very well: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 × Sarvanumat se faisla hua hai.Aur shabd kya diya? Gabbar Singh Tax, kon hai Gabbar Singh? Sholay film me dakait ka naam tha. Kanoon se bana hua tax wasoolna daikaiti hai kya?: Amit Shah — ANI (@ANI) February 5, 2018 ×

Better to sell pakodas than beg: Amit Shah in Parliament

<p>In his maiden Parliamentary address -- which also marked the beginning of the first phase of the budget session -- President Kovind talked about the possibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections this year.</p>

<p>In his address, President Kovind noted that holding frequent elections burden the economy as well as other resources. He called for a &quot;sustained debate&quot; on the matter participated by all political parties and entities so that a consensus can be achieved on the same.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Time and again, the Modi-government hinted at the possibility of going in for an early Lok Sabha elections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soon after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/economic-survey-turns-pink-asks-indians-to-confront-son-preference-31091">Economic Survey</a> was tabled in the Parliament yesterday, PM Modi held a meeting with his leaders and touched upon the idea of debating the matter to create a &#39;positive atmosphere&#39; for the proposal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The PM also batted for simultaneous elections for the simple reason that holding frequent elections meddle with the development exercises and cause a huge financial burden on the economy.</p>

<p>In an interview with WION earlier this month, PM&nbsp;Modi had noted that the assembly elections this year must happen along with the Lok Sabha elections. &quot;If the elections happen together, then the country can save a lot,&quot; PM Modi noted. He also shared that he had already shared the idea with various policymakers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Karnataka along with three northeast states of Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland are slated for assembly polls this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>PM Modi&#39;s term will end in May 2019.</p>


In his address, Kovind noted that holding frequent elections burden the economy

In his maiden Parliamentary address -- which also marked the beginning of the first phase of the budget session -- President Kovind talked about the possibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections this year. In his address, President Kovind noted that holding frequent elections burden the economy as well as other resources. He called for a "sustained debate" on the matter participated by all political parties and entities so that a consensus can be achieved on the same. Time and again, the Modi-government hinted at the possibility of going in for an early Lok Sabha elections. Soon after the Economic Survey was tabled in the Parliament yesterday, PM Modi held a meeting with his leaders and touched upon the idea of debating the matter to create a 'positive atmosphere' for the proposal. The PM also batted for simultaneous elections for the simple reason that holding frequent elections meddle with the development exercises and cause a huge financial burden on the economy. In an interview with WION earlier this month, PM Modi had noted that the assembly elections this year must happen along with the Lok Sabha elections. "If the elections happen together, then the country can save a lot," PM Modi noted. He also shared that he had already shared the idea with various policymakers. Karnataka along with three northeast states of Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland are slated for assembly polls this year. PM Modi's term will end in May 2019.

President Kovind's first Parliamentary address suggests early Lok Sabha polls

<p>Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tables the Economic Survey of 2018 in Parliament estimating the real GDP growth to clock 6.75 percent this fiscal year.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;economic survey predicts 7-7.5 percent growth in 2018-19. Employment, education &amp; agriculture will be the focus areas this term, noted Jaitley.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The survey was expected to take a close look at demonetization and the implementation of GST. The online report of the survey shared by Chief Economic Adviser, Arvind Subramanian, notes the following:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;One of the aims of demonetization and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was to increase the formalization of the economy and bring more Indians into the income tax net, which includes only about 59.3 million individual taxpayers...&nbsp;Has this happened and to what extent? At first blush, there does seem to have been a substantial increase in the number of new taxpayers.&nbsp;As income growth over time pushes many of the new tax filers over the<br />
threshold, the revenue dividends should increase robustly.&quot;</p>

<p>The online copy of the complete survey has dedicated sections on &#39;State of Indian Economy&#39;, &#39;View of the Indian Economy Through GST&#39;, &#39;Climate, Climate Change and Agriculture&#39;, among others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The event precedes the presentation of this year&#39;s Budget on February 1 and marks the commencement of the first phase of the budget session.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Economic Survey is the Finance Ministry&#39;s yearly document that reviews the economic development of the country in the past year.</p>

<p>Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian shared details about the survey in an official web blog yesterday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The highlights of the survey will be shared by Mr Subramanian at a press conference at 1:30 pm today.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hinted at the possibility of this year&#39;s to be non-populist in nature.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The phase 1 of the session will wrap up on February 9. The second phase will take place from March 5 to April 6.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The Economic Survey will also review the pros and cons of the Modi government's demonetization move carried out in November 2016

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tables the Economic Survey of 2018 in Parliament estimating the real GDP growth to clock 6.75 percent this fiscal year. The economic survey predicts 7-7.5 percent growth in 2018-19. Employment, education & agriculture will be the focus areas this term, noted Jaitley. The survey was expected to take a close look at demonetization and the implementation of GST. The online report of the survey shared by Chief Economic Adviser, Arvind Subramanian, notes the following: "One of the aims of demonetization and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was to increase the formalization of the economy and bring more Indians into the income tax net, which includes only about 59.3 million individual taxpayers... Has this happened and to what extent? At first blush, there does seem to have been a substantial increase in the number of new taxpayers. As income growth over time pushes many of the new tax filers over the threshold, the revenue dividends should increase robustly." The online copy of the complete survey has dedicated sections on 'State of Indian Economy', 'View of the Indian Economy Through GST', 'Climate, Climate Change and Agriculture', among others. The event precedes the presentation of this year's Budget on February 1 and marks the commencement of the first phase of the budget session. The Economic Survey is the Finance Ministry's yearly document that reviews the economic development of the country in the past year. Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian shared details about the survey in an official web blog yesterday. The highlights of the survey will be shared by Mr Subramanian at a press conference at 1:30 pm today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently hinted at the possibility of this year's to be non-populist in nature. The phase 1 of the session will wrap up on February 9. The second phase will take place from March 5 to April 6.

Budget 2018: Arun Jaitley tables Economic Survey in Parliament, predicts 7-7.5% growth in 2018-19

<p>AAP leaders will march to the Parliament today urging the Modi government to end sealing of markets in the national capital.</p>

<p>According&nbsp;to Saurabh Bharadwaj, chief spokesperson of party&#39;s Delhi unit, the ongoing sealing drive in Delhi was to due to conversion charges which are under the purview of the three municipal corporations ruled by the BJP and the Delhi Development Authority.</p>

<p>AAP leaders will march to Parliament to pressurize the Centre to bring in an ordinance in this regard.</p>

<p>Municipal corporations in Delhi have undertaken the Supreme Court-led sealing drive sealing commercial premises for failing to deposit conversion charges.</p>

<p>Conversion charge is the amount paid to convert one category of property to another -- &nbsp;i.e, from residential to commercial.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)&nbsp;</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


AAP leaders will march to Parliament to pressurize the Centre to bring in an ordinance in this regard.

AAP leaders will march to the Parliament today urging the Modi government to end sealing of markets in the national capital. According to Saurabh Bharadwaj, chief spokesperson of party's Delhi unit, the ongoing sealing drive in Delhi was to due to conversion charges which are under the purview of the three municipal corporations ruled by the BJP and the Delhi Development Authority. AAP leaders will march to Parliament to pressurize the Centre to bring in an ordinance in this regard. Municipal corporations in Delhi have undertaken the Supreme Court-led sealing drive sealing commercial premises for failing to deposit conversion charges. Conversion charge is the amount paid to convert one category of property to another -- i.e, from residential to commercial. (With inputs from PTI)

AAP leaders to march to Parliament today urging government to end sealing drive in Delhi 

<p>The Budget Session of Parliament will commence from January 29 and the Union Budget will be presented on February one, the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs recommended on Friday.</p>

<p>President Ramnath Kovind will address the joint sitting of the two Houses on January 29 and the Economic Survey will be tabled on the same day, Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said.</p>

<p>The first phase of the session will be from January 29 to February 9. After a recess, Parliament will meet again from March 5 to April 6, Kumar said.</p>

<p>The recommendation of the session dates were made by the CCPA which met in New Delhi.</p>

<p>The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/lok-sabha-adjourned-sine-die-12-bills-passed-in-winter-session-28617">Winter Session of Parliament</a> ended today.</p>


President Ramnath Kovind will address the joint sitting of the two Houses on January 29 and the Economic Survey will be tabled on the same day, Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said.

The Budget Session of Parliament will commence from January 29 and the Union Budget will be presented on February one, the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs recommended on Friday. President Ramnath Kovind will address the joint sitting of the two Houses on January 29 and the Economic Survey will be tabled on the same day, Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said. The first phase of the session will be from January 29 to February 9. After a recess, Parliament will meet again from March 5 to April 6, Kumar said. The recommendation of the session dates were made by the CCPA which met in New Delhi. The Winter Session of Parliament ended today.

Union Budget to be presented on February 1

<p>The Lok Sabha was on Friday adjourned sine die, bringing to an end the short Winter Session during which the House passed 12 bills, including the &#39;triple talaq&#39; legislation that seeks to criminalise instant divorce in the Muslim community.</p>

<p>Announcing the adjournment, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the session, which commenced on December 15, had 13 sittings spread over 61 hours and 48 minutes. The House lost about 15 hours due to disruptions and adjournments.</p>

<p>Important bills passed during the session included the central road fund (amendment) bill, the requisitioning and acquisition of immovable property bill, the national capital territory of Delhi laws (special provisions) second (amendment) bill and the goods and services tax (compensation to states) amendment bill.</p>

<p>A bill to hike the salary of high court and Supreme Court judges was also passed.</p>

<p>The Speaker said 16 bills were introduced by the government in the session.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House as she announced its adjournment after briefing members on the proceedings during the winter session.<br />
The discussion on supplementary demands for grants, second and third batch for 2017-18, lasted for more than six hours before the demands were voted and the related appropriation bills passed, she said.</p>

<p>&quot;In this session, while we lost over 14 hours and 51 minutes of time due to interruptions followed by forced adjournments, the House also sat late for 8 hours and 10 minutes to discuss various important issues,&quot; she said.</p>

<p>During the session, 280 starred questions were listed, of which 45 questions were answered orally. Written replies to the remaining starred questions along with 3220 unstarred questions were tabled, she said.</p>

<p>About 198 matters of urgent public importance were raised by the members and by sitting late in the evening, while the members also raised 226 matters under rule 377, she said.</p>

<p>Standing committees presented 41 reports to the House.</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha held a short duration discussion under rule 193 regarding natural calamities in various part of the country, with special reference to cyclone Ockhi in South India. The discussion was concluded with the reply by Home Minister, she said.</p>

<p>During the session, as many as 2255 papers were tabled by the ministers concerned, she said, adding that 98 Private Members&#39; bills on different subjects were also introduced.</p>


The Speaker said 16 bills were introduced by the government in the session.

The Lok Sabha was on Friday adjourned sine die, bringing to an end the short Winter Session during which the House passed 12 bills, including the 'triple talaq' legislation that seeks to criminalise instant divorce in the Muslim community. Announcing the adjournment, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the session, which commenced on December 15, had 13 sittings spread over 61 hours and 48 minutes. The House lost about 15 hours due to disruptions and adjournments. Important bills passed during the session included the central road fund (amendment) bill, the requisitioning and acquisition of immovable property bill, the national capital territory of Delhi laws (special provisions) second (amendment) bill and the goods and services tax (compensation to states) amendment bill. A bill to hike the salary of high court and Supreme Court judges was also passed. The Speaker said 16 bills were introduced by the government in the session. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House as she announced its adjournment after briefing members on the proceedings during the winter session. The discussion on supplementary demands for grants, second and third batch for 2017-18, lasted for more than six hours before the demands were voted and the related appropriation bills passed, she said. "In this session, while we lost over 14 hours and 51 minutes of time due to interruptions followed by forced adjournments, the House also sat late for 8 hours and 10 minutes to discuss various important issues," she said. During the session, 280 starred questions were listed, of which 45 questions were answered orally. Written replies to the remaining starred questions along with 3220 unstarred questions were tabled, she said. About 198 matters of urgent public importance were raised by the members and by sitting late in the evening, while the members also raised 226 matters under rule 377, she said. Standing committees presented 41 reports to the House. The Lok Sabha held a short duration discussion under rule 193 regarding natural calamities in various part of the country, with special reference to cyclone Ockhi in South India. The discussion was concluded with the reply by Home Minister, she said. During the session, as many as 2255 papers were tabled by the ministers concerned, she said, adding that 98 Private Members' bills on different subjects were also introduced.

Lok Sabha adjourned sine die; 12 bills passed in Winter Session

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 -- or the triple talaq bill -- will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today.</p>

<p>The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties, including those friendly to the ruling BJP, have raised objections to it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition parties say the bill, while supporting it in large part, should be referred to a select committee so as to be able to further understand any lacunae in it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The parties say the bill turns a civil issue into a criminal one by recommending a jail term extending up to three years for people who continue to use the practice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The practice of triple talaq, which allows a man to divorce his wife by saying the word &quot;talaq&quot; (divorce) three times,&nbsp;was recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP however has so far been hopeful that the bill will be passed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ishrat-jahan-triple-talaq-petitioner-joins-bjp-28214" target="_blank">Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan joins BJP, says will work in women&#39;s wing</a></p>

<p>&quot;I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them,&quot; Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday.</p>

<p>Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction.</p>

<p>&quot;I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament to ensure passage of the bill.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Commentators say noisy scenes are expected in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>


The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties -- including those friendly to the ruling BJP -- have raised objections to it

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 -- or the triple talaq bill -- will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha today. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last Thursday but various opposition parties, including those friendly to the ruling BJP, have raised objections to it. The opposition parties say the bill, while supporting it in large part, should be referred to a select committee so as to be able to further understand any lacunae in it. The parties say the bill turns a civil issue into a criminal one by recommending a jail term extending up to three years for people who continue to use the practice. The practice of triple talaq, which allows a man to divorce his wife by saying the word "talaq" (divorce) three times, was recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The BJP however has so far been hopeful that the bill will be passed. Also read: Triple talaq petitioner Ishrat Jahan joins BJP, says will work in women's wing "I have complete conviction that Congress will support the Bill the same way it did in Lok Sabha, or else the minority women will not spare them," Union Minister Giriraj Singh told ANI on Monday. Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar echoed the same conviction. "I believe all our office-bearers will talk to all parties, and all parties will understand the problem faced by our aggrieved sisters. This bill, I believe, will be passed in the Rajya Sabha," he said. The BJP has issued a three-line whip to its MPs to be present in Parliament to ensure passage of the bill. Commentators say noisy scenes are expected in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Triple talaq bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today

<p>Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Friday directed ministers to not use the term &#39;beg&#39; while tabling the listed official papers in the House.</p>

<p>Normally, the ministers say &quot;I beg to lay the papers ... listed against my name in today&#39;s order paper.&quot;</p>

<p>Naidu had on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dont-say-beg-we-are-a-free-nation-vice-president-venkaiah-naidu-to-ministers-26825">opening day of the Winter Session</a> of Parliament advised the ministers and members to shed the &quot;imperial mindset&quot; of using &quot;I beg to lay...&quot; the papers in the House.</p>

<p>He had said that instead they should say &quot;I rise to present the papers listed against my name...&quot;</p>

<p>However, today when Minister of State for Law and Justice P P Chaudhary used the term &quot;beg&quot; while laying papers, Naidu reminded him of the advise.</p>

<p>&quot;No begging please,&quot; Naidu told Chaudhary.</p>

<p>He said probably Chaudhary was not present when he had made the suggestion earlier and advised him to avoid using the word &quot;I beg&quot; while laying the papers.</p>

<p>&quot;Just rise to say you are laying papers,&quot; he told him and added &quot;it would be good if begging word is avoided.&quot;</p>

<p>No minister or member has used the word since Naidu&#39;s advise on December 15.</p>

<p>Chaudhary took the cue and did not use the word when he was called to lay a different set of papers shortly later.</p>

<p>During the paper tabling process, Naidu also chided members for speaking while seated.</p>

<p>He then went about conducting the Zero Hour as a strict headmaster reminding members not to deviate from their topics.</p>

<p>Mentioning an incident during Question Hour yesterday when B K Hariprasad of Congress used certain phrases, Naidu said he has decided to close the matter after the member met him this morning and said his remarks were made on the spur of the moment and he held the Chair in high esteem.</p>

<p>Incidentally, Hariprasad&#39;s remarks find no mention in the official record of the proceedings of yesterday.</p>


Naidu had on the opening day of the Winter Session advised the ministers and members to shed the "imperial mindset" of using "I beg to lay..." the papers in the House.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Friday directed ministers to not use the term 'beg' while tabling the listed official papers in the House. Normally, the ministers say "I beg to lay the papers ... listed against my name in today's order paper." Naidu had on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament advised the ministers and members to shed the "imperial mindset" of using "I beg to lay..." the papers in the House. He had said that instead they should say "I rise to present the papers listed against my name..." However, today when Minister of State for Law and Justice P P Chaudhary used the term "beg" while laying papers, Naidu reminded him of the advise. "No begging please," Naidu told Chaudhary. He said probably Chaudhary was not present when he had made the suggestion earlier and advised him to avoid using the word "I beg" while laying the papers. "Just rise to say you are laying papers," he told him and added "it would be good if begging word is avoided." No minister or member has used the word since Naidu's advise on December 15. Chaudhary took the cue and did not use the word when he was called to lay a different set of papers shortly later. During the paper tabling process, Naidu also chided members for speaking while seated. He then went about conducting the Zero Hour as a strict headmaster reminding members not to deviate from their topics. Mentioning an incident during Question Hour yesterday when B K Hariprasad of Congress used certain phrases, Naidu said he has decided to close the matter after the member met him this morning and said his remarks were made on the spur of the moment and he held the Chair in high esteem. Incidentally, Hariprasad's remarks find no mention in the official record of the proceedings of yesterday.

'No begging please': Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu reminds ministers

<p>External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke on the Kulbhushan Jadhav affair in Parliament on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Live: EAM Sushma Swaraj delivers statement on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> in Lok Sabha (Source- LSTV) <a href="https://t.co/2NR2ScAZhZ">https://t.co/2NR2ScAZhZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946269014136721409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>She said the Pakistani claim that there was a camera or a recording chip in Jadhav&#39;s wife&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-hidden-camera-or-recording-chip-found-in-chetnas-shoe-27916" target="_blank">shoe</a> was absurd.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj said Jadhav&#39;s wife Chetna had taken two international flights in those same shoes to get from Mumbai to Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Chetna had travelled from Mumbai to Dubai on an Air India flight, and from Dubai to Islamabad on an Emirates flight.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj said people might still believe Air India had helped Chetna, but asked how she could possibly have smuggled a hidden camera or a recording chip in her shoe onto an Emirates flight.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A meeting of a mother with her son &amp; a wife with her husband was turned into a propaganda tool by Pakistan :EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z5M28mVBGZ">pic.twitter.com/Z5M28mVBGZ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946256013379846144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj added that not only were Chetna&#39;s bindi and mangalsutra removed but also those of Jadhav&#39;s mother&#39;s Avanti.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Swaraj said that when Kulbhushan first saw his mother like that, without her mangalsutra and bindi, he thought something might have happened to his father.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Baba kaise hain?&quot; was the first thing Kulbhushan asked his mother, said Swaraj.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jadhav Ji&#39;s mother who only wears a saree was forced to wear salwar-kurta. Bindi, bangles &amp; mangalsutras of both mother &amp; wife were removed. Both the married women were made to like widows: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KulbhushanJadhav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KulbhushanJadhav</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946258931176824832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Swaraj spoke in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said the meeting was started in absence of the Indian deputy high commissioner accompanying Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother and that if he had seen how their clothes were changed, he would have registered a protest there and then.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She also took up the heckling of the women by the Pakistani media.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said it had been specifically agreed by both sides that media would not be allowed to come close to the family but that the Pakistani press not only came close to them but also harassed and hurled taunts at them:&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Thank god they didn&#39;t say that there was a bomb in her shoes! If for security reasons she was made to take off shoes, they should have returned them when she was leaving but no, they had to commit some sort of cruelty,&quot;&nbsp;Swaraj said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kulbhushan-jadhav-parroted-script-given-by-pakistan-during-meeting-with-family-mother-foils-attempt-reports-27934" target="_blank">Kulbhushan Jadhav parroted script given by Pakistan during meeting with family, mother foils attempt</a></p>

<p>&quot;It was nothing like a humanitarian gesture. Human rights of the family members were violated again and again and an environment of fear was created for them,&quot; Swaraj added.&nbsp;</p>


Swaraj said Jadhav's wife Chetna took two international flights in those same shoes. How then could she have hidden a camera or a chip inside them?

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke on the Kulbhushan Jadhav affair in Parliament on Thursday. #WATCH Live: EAM Sushma Swaraj delivers statement on #KulbhushanJadhav in Lok Sabha (Source- LSTV) https://t.co/2NR2ScAZhZ — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × She said the Pakistani claim that there was a camera or a recording chip in Jadhav's wife's shoe was absurd. Swaraj said Jadhav's wife Chetna had taken two international flights in those same shoes to get from Mumbai to Islamabad. Chetna had travelled from Mumbai to Dubai on an Air India flight, and from Dubai to Islamabad on an Emirates flight. Swaraj said people might still believe Air India had helped Chetna, but asked how she could possibly have smuggled a hidden camera or a recording chip in her shoe onto an Emirates flight. A meeting of a mother with her son & a wife with her husband was turned into a propaganda tool by Pakistan :EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha #KulbhushanJadhav pic.twitter.com/Z5M28mVBGZ — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Swaraj added that not only were Chetna's bindi and mangalsutra removed but also those of Jadhav's mother's Avanti. Swaraj said that when Kulbhushan first saw his mother like that, without her mangalsutra and bindi, he thought something might have happened to his father. "Baba kaise hain?" was the first thing Kulbhushan asked his mother, said Swaraj. Jadhav Ji's mother who only wears a saree was forced to wear salwar-kurta. Bindi, bangles & mangalsutras of both mother & wife were removed. Both the married women were made to like widows: EAM Sushma Swaraj in Rajya Sabha #KulbhushanJadhav — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Swaraj spoke in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. She said the meeting was started in absence of the Indian deputy high commissioner accompanying Jadhav's wife and mother and that if he had seen how their clothes were changed, he would have registered a protest there and then. She also took up the heckling of the women by the Pakistani media. She said it had been specifically agreed by both sides that media would not be allowed to come close to the family but that the Pakistani press not only came close to them but also harassed and hurled taunts at them: "Thank god they didn't say that there was a bomb in her shoes! If for security reasons she was made to take off shoes, they should have returned them when she was leaving but no, they had to commit some sort of cruelty," Swaraj said. Also read: Kulbhushan Jadhav parroted script given by Pakistan during meeting with family, mother foils attempt "It was nothing like a humanitarian gesture. Human rights of the family members were violated again and again and an environment of fear was created for them," Swaraj added.

Sushma Swaraj speaks on Jadhav row, says Pakistani claims of hidden camera absurd

<p>The &quot;constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me,&quot; Karnataka MP Ananth Kumar Hegde said Thursday in the Lok Sabha.</p>

<p>Hegde was apologising for his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">remarks</a> that &quot;people who call themselves secular... are like people without parentage&quot;&nbsp;and that the BJP has come to power to &quot;change the Constitution&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress&#39; Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s clarification, following which Hegde said, &#39;If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology.&#39; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LokSabha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LokSabha</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946253674971406336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-not-on-same-page-with-hedge-bjp-leaders-on-hedges-remarks-27859">Government doesn&#39;t agree with Hedge&#39;s remarks, ministers say in Parliament </a></p>

<p>&quot;I deeply respect the Constitution, the Parliament and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it,&quot; Hegde said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Regarding the deadlock in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I want to assure my friends that Constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me,&quot;&nbsp;he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both houses of Parliament had been adjourned Wednesday over Hegde&#39;s remarks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;If a person has no belief in the Constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament,&quot; the Congress&#39;s Ghulam Nabi Azad had said in the Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government had since distanced itself from Hegde&#39;s remarks. The opposition had called for him to apologise or to quit.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/constitution-the-foundation-of-our-country-is-under-threat-rahul-gandhi-27928" target="_blank">Constitution, the country&#39;s foundation, is under threat: Rahul Gandhi </a></p>


'The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it,' he said

The "constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me," Karnataka MP Ananth Kumar Hegde said Thursday in the Lok Sabha. Hegde was apologising for his remarks that "people who call themselves secular... are like people without parentage" and that the BJP has come to power to "change the Constitution". Congress' Mallikarjun Kharge objected to Ananth Kumar Hegde's clarification, following which Hegde said, 'If anyone was hurt by my statements I tender an apology.' #LokSabha — ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2017 × Also read: Government doesn't agree with Hedge's remarks, ministers say in Parliament "I deeply respect the Constitution, the Parliament and Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The Constitution is supreme for me, there can be no question on it, as a citizen I can never go against it," Hegde said. "Regarding the deadlock in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha due to my statement, I want to assure my friends that Constitution is supreme to me, Parliament is supreme to me," he added. Both houses of Parliament had been adjourned Wednesday over Hegde's remarks. "If a person has no belief in the Constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament," the Congress's Ghulam Nabi Azad had said in the Rajya Sabha. The government had since distanced itself from Hegde's remarks. The opposition had called for him to apologise or to quit. Also read: Constitution, the country's foundation, is under threat: Rahul Gandhi

Constitution is supreme: Ananth Kumar Hegde apologises in Lok Sabha

<p>The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, which criminalises <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/triple-talaq-all-you-need-to-know-19324">triple talaq</a> among Muslims, will be presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid several Muslim organisations as well as opposition parties&nbsp;such as Congress, Left and BJD voicing their concerns.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover, the BJP is believed to have issued a three-line whip to its MPs asking them to be present&nbsp;to ensure that the introduction is smooth.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The BJP is understood to have issued the whip so that any stiff opposition from members on the other side at the introduction stage could be blocked.</p>

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<h5>Opposition parties have voiced reservations over the jail term -- which may extend to three years -- and fine included in the bill</h5>
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<p>The opposition parties have expressed their reservations over the given jail term for violators of the instant divorce, which may extend to three years and a fine for the accused and further envisages entitling Muslim women for maintenance.</p>

<p>It also has a provision for the divorced Muslim women to have the custody of their minor children. The offences under the purview of this bill will be cognisable and non-bailable.</p>

<p>The draft bill says, &quot;any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal&quot;.</p>

<p>The government is sure to press ahead with the bill in Lok Sabha considering its strong majority even though the oppositions parties voice their apprehensions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bill will be introduced by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The government is all set for questions and comments and is ready to discuss the justification for proposing the law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/triple-talaq-destroying-lives-of-muslim-women-says-indian-pm-narendra-modi-7849">&nbsp;Triple talaq destroying lives of Muslim women, says Indian PM Narendra Modi</a></p>

<p>The opposition parties have said that the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/aimplb-says-will-request-pm-to-withhold-withdraw-triple-talaq-bill-27594">All India Muslim Personal Law Board</a> (AIMPLB) have held that the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The AIMPLB urges the Central Government to not table the Bill in the Parliament,&quot; said AIMPLB&#39;s Sajjad Nomani after attending an emergency meeting organised by the Board in Lucknow.</p>

<p>The AIMPLB spokesperson further accused the Centre of not following the laid procedure in drafting the bill.</p>

<p>&quot;No procedure was followed in drafting this bill; neither was any stakeholder consulted,&quot; said Nomani.</p>

<p>AIMPLB even claimed that the Bill was against women and children, and if implemented, it would destroy many families.</p>

<p>Earlier in August, in a historic judgement, the Supreme Court had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is &quot;void&quot;, &quot;illegal&quot; and &quot;unconstitutional&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017 will be introduced by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017, which criminalises triple talaq among Muslims, will be presented in the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid several Muslim organisations as well as opposition parties such as Congress, Left and BJD voicing their concerns. Moreover, the BJP is believed to have issued a three-line whip to its MPs asking them to be present to ensure that the introduction is smooth. The BJP is understood to have issued the whip so that any stiff opposition from members on the other side at the introduction stage could be blocked. Opposition parties have voiced reservations over the jail term -- which may extend to three years -- and fine included in the bill × The opposition parties have expressed their reservations over the given jail term for violators of the instant divorce, which may extend to three years and a fine for the accused and further envisages entitling Muslim women for maintenance. It also has a provision for the divorced Muslim women to have the custody of their minor children. The offences under the purview of this bill will be cognisable and non-bailable. The draft bill says, "any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal". The government is sure to press ahead with the bill in Lok Sabha considering its strong majority even though the oppositions parties voice their apprehensions. The bill will be introduced by law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The government is all set for questions and comments and is ready to discuss the justification for proposing the law. Also read: Triple talaq destroying lives of Muslim women, says Indian PM Narendra Modi The opposition parties have said that the jail term may be excessive and some Muslim organisations like All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) have held that the Supreme Court ruling striking down triple talaq as unconstitutional is against Sharia law. "The AIMPLB urges the Central Government to not table the Bill in the Parliament," said AIMPLB's Sajjad Nomani after attending an emergency meeting organised by the Board in Lucknow. The AIMPLB spokesperson further accused the Centre of not following the laid procedure in drafting the bill. "No procedure was followed in drafting this bill; neither was any stakeholder consulted," said Nomani. AIMPLB even claimed that the Bill was against women and children, and if implemented, it would destroy many families. Earlier in August, in a historic judgement, the Supreme Court had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional". (With inputs from ANI)

Government to table triple talaq bill in Lok Sabha today, BJP reportedly issues whip to MPs

<p>Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday announced to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament tomorrow on the treatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother in Pakistan.</p>

<p>Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon on Thursday.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier today, Parliament witnessed protests after Opposition condemned the way Pakistani authorities&nbsp;humiliated the family of jailed Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav during their visit to&nbsp;Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>From removing bangles, bindi and mangal sutra of Jadhav&#39;s wife to preventing his mother to speak in her mother tongue, Pakistani officials harassed the two before their 40 minutes meeting with him.</p>

<p>The meeting between Jadhav and his family took place on December 25 at the Pakistani foreign affairs ministry in Islamabad after repeated requests by India for family access.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am tomorrow and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon, media reports. ?

Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday announced to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament tomorrow on the treatment of Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother in Pakistan. Swaraj will first address the Rajya Sabha at 11 am and later the Lok Sabha at 12 noon on Thursday. Earlier today, Parliament witnessed protests after Opposition condemned the way Pakistani authorities humiliated the family of jailed Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav during their visit to Islamabad. From removing bangles, bindi and mangal sutra of Jadhav's wife to preventing his mother to speak in her mother tongue, Pakistani officials harassed the two before their 40 minutes meeting with him. The meeting between Jadhav and his family took place on December 25 at the Pakistani foreign affairs ministry in Islamabad after repeated requests by India for family access.

Sushma Swaraj to speak on Kulbhushan Jadhav's family meet in Parliament tomorrow

<p>The government and the opposition used the Kulbhusan Jadhav issue to work out their row, which had stalled Parliament for the last two weeks, but news reports said Thursday that another one was brewing over Karnataka BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/those-who-call-themselves-secular-dont-know-about-their-parentage-mp-ananth-kumar-hegde-27714" target="_blank">statements</a> on secular people not knowing their parentage and changing the constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The impasse had begun over Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391" target="_blank">statement</a> while campaigning for the Gujarat election that Congress leaders were conspiring with Pakistan to affect the outcome of the Gujarat election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The impasse had hit the winter session of Parliament, with the Congress demanding an apology from the prime minister on the floor of the house.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Congress had later -- after the BJP had said there was no apology coming -- watered down its demand for an apology to asking for a clarification.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said Modi in his statements and speeches, &quot;did not question nor did he mean to question the commitment to this nation either by Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister, or Hamid Ansari, the former vice president.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;Any such perception is completely erroneous. We hold these leaders in high esteem, as also their commitment to this nation,&quot; Jaitley said.</p>

<p>Responding to his statement, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said: &quot;I want to thank the Leader of the House that he issued a clarification on the issue which was causing the deadlock.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;If during the elections, any member of our party gave such a statement that was against the stature of the prime minister, then our party dissociates itself from any such statement and we would not want any word to be said against the stature of the prime minister,&quot; Azad said.</p>

<p>News reports said Thursday that it was a formal meeting between Jaitley and and Azad earlier and other informal meetings that helped break the deadlock.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Azad later said the Congress wanted to discuss the treatment meted out by Pakistan to Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Azad was reported as saying that &quot;for us it is India first and opposition second&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added that &quot;we want to raise our voice for a fellow citizen&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the reports added that while the government and opposition had shut down one front, they had opened another.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Wednesday, the opposition forced the shutdown of the Lok Sabha a number of times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Apart from taking offence to his comments on secularism, the opposition also accused Hegde -- he is a union minister -- of disrespecting the architect of the constitution BR Ambedkar by saying &quot;we are here to change it&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government has since distanced itself from Hegde&#39;s comments but the opposition says he should either apologise or quit.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Congress had wanted to talk about Kulbhushan Jadhav which was proving impossible in a checkmated winter session of Parliament

The government and the opposition used the Kulbhusan Jadhav issue to work out their row, which had stalled Parliament for the last two weeks, but news reports said Thursday that another one was brewing over Karnataka BJP MP Ananth Kumar Hegde's statements on secular people not knowing their parentage and changing the constitution. The impasse had begun over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement while campaigning for the Gujarat election that Congress leaders were conspiring with Pakistan to affect the outcome of the Gujarat election. The impasse had hit the winter session of Parliament, with the Congress demanding an apology from the prime minister on the floor of the house. The Congress had later -- after the BJP had said there was no apology coming -- watered down its demand for an apology to asking for a clarification. In the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Leader of the House Arun Jaitley said Modi in his statements and speeches, "did not question nor did he mean to question the commitment to this nation either by Dr Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Minister, or Hamid Ansari, the former vice president." "Any such perception is completely erroneous. We hold these leaders in high esteem, as also their commitment to this nation," Jaitley said. Responding to his statement, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "I want to thank the Leader of the House that he issued a clarification on the issue which was causing the deadlock." "If during the elections, any member of our party gave such a statement that was against the stature of the prime minister, then our party dissociates itself from any such statement and we would not want any word to be said against the stature of the prime minister," Azad said. News reports said Thursday that it was a formal meeting between Jaitley and and Azad earlier and other informal meetings that helped break the deadlock. Azad later said the Congress wanted to discuss the treatment meted out by Pakistan to Kulbhushan Jadhav's wife and mother. Azad was reported as saying that "for us it is India first and opposition second". He added that "we want to raise our voice for a fellow citizen". But the reports added that while the government and opposition had shut down one front, they had opened another. On Wednesday, the opposition forced the shutdown of the Lok Sabha a number of times. Apart from taking offence to his comments on secularism, the opposition also accused Hegde -- he is a union minister -- of disrespecting the architect of the constitution BR Ambedkar by saying "we are here to change it". The government has since distanced itself from Hegde's comments but the opposition says he should either apologise or quit. (With inputs from PTI)

Government, opposition use Jadhav issue to end deadlock, but another brews

<p>As Anant Kumar Hegde&#39;s comment on the Constitution continues to garner condemnation, the government now seems to distance itself from the controversy stating that the BJP doesn&#39;t support or subscribe to Hegde&#39;s views.</p>

<p>Union minister Vijay Goel shared the same with the Upper House of the Parliament today stating that, &quot;we are committed to the Constitution. We do not agree with the Minister&#39;s remarks.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Union Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman also talked on similar lines noting that the government is not on the same page with Hedge&#39;s remarks, she told the reporters outside Rajya Sabha.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both houses of Parliament today met with disruptions as the members of the Opposition parties took strong objection and condemned Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde&#39;s remarks on amending the Constitution.</p>

<p>The leader of Opposition and Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad demanded Hedge&#39;s apology and stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi &quot;should take a call on whether such a person should continue as a minister,&quot; he told the reporters.</p>

<p>He said opposition parties had raised the matter before Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.</p>

<p>&quot;Opposition parties are of the opinion that any minister who does not believe in the Constitution should have no place in the council of ministers. It is for the prime minister to take a call on him,&quot; Azad said.Meanwhile,</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress&#39; Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of remarks made by Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde about the constitution, in Rajya Sabha; says &quot;if a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament&quot; <a href="https://t.co/UDaMge4yOd">pic.twitter.com/UDaMge4yOd</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/945893770981130240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Anant Kumar Hegde, sparked condemnation when he recently noted that&nbsp;Constitution &quot;will be changed in the days to come&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;We will respect the Constitution, but the Constitution has changed several times and it will change in the future too. We are here to change the Constitution and we&#39;ll change it,&quot; Hegde noted at an event in Karnataka.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Opposition now seems to press for Hegde&#39;s resignation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Reports also suggest that Hegde subtly hinted at amending the word &quot;secular&quot; in the Constitution.</p>

<p>&quot;Seculars do not know what their blood is. Yes, the Constitution has given that right to say &#39;we are secular and we will say it&#39;. Yes, I know but the Constitution has been amended many times, we will also amend it. We have come to power for that,&quot; an ANI report quoted Hegde.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Both the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/both-houses-of-parliament-adjourned-over-mp-ananth-kumar-hegdes-controversial-statement-on-secularism-constitution-27838">houses of Parliament were adjourned today</a> amid uproar sparked on Hedge&#39;s remark.&nbsp;</p>


The leader of Opposition and Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad demanded Hedge's apology

As Anant Kumar Hegde's comment on the Constitution continues to garner condemnation, the government now seems to distance itself from the controversy stating that the BJP doesn't support or subscribe to Hegde's views. Union minister Vijay Goel shared the same with the Upper House of the Parliament today stating that, "we are committed to the Constitution. We do not agree with the Minister's remarks." Union Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman also talked on similar lines noting that the government is not on the same page with Hedge's remarks, she told the reporters outside Rajya Sabha. Both houses of Parliament today met with disruptions as the members of the Opposition parties took strong objection and condemned Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde's remarks on amending the Constitution. The leader of Opposition and Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad demanded Hedge's apology and stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "should take a call on whether such a person should continue as a minister," he told the reporters. He said opposition parties had raised the matter before Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. "Opposition parties are of the opinion that any minister who does not believe in the Constitution should have no place in the council of ministers. It is for the prime minister to take a call on him," Azad said.Meanwhile, Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad raises the issue of remarks made by Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde about the constitution, in Rajya Sabha; says "if a person has no belief in the constitution, he has no right to be a member of Parliament" pic.twitter.com/UDaMge4yOd — ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2017 × Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Anant Kumar Hegde, sparked condemnation when he recently noted that Constitution "will be changed in the days to come". "We will respect the Constitution, but the Constitution has changed several times and it will change in the future too. We are here to change the Constitution and we'll change it," Hegde noted at an event in Karnataka. The Opposition now seems to press for Hegde's resignation. Reports also suggest that Hegde subtly hinted at amending the word "secular" in the Constitution. "Seculars do not know what their blood is. Yes, the Constitution has given that right to say 'we are secular and we will say it'. Yes, I know but the Constitution has been amended many times, we will also amend it. We have come to power for that," an ANI report quoted Hegde. Both the houses of Parliament were adjourned today amid uproar sparked on Hedge's remark.

Government doesn't agree with Hedge's remarks, ministers say in Parliament

<p>In a written reply to Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State of Railways, Rajen Gohain noted that the government does not plan to hike railway fares.</p>

<p>Gohain noted that the national transporter has seen an increase in passenger traffic by 0.68 per cent and a spike of 0.99 per cent between Delhi and Mumbai during April- November 2017 as compared to the corresponding period last year.</p>

<p>Gohain&#39;s reply addressed queries around passenger traffic, special trains and their fares.</p>

<p>He shared that &#39;special&#39; trains are made operational with an aim to clear extra rush of passengers during peak seasons, festivals and special events.</p>

<p>&quot;Special trains on special charges are introduced based on demand pattern. They run over and above the scheduled trains and are charged at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for the second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes,&quot; the minister said.</p>

<p>Suvidha trains are run based on the demand pattern. The minimum fare of such trains -- applicable for the initial 20 per cent&nbsp;bookings -- usually equals the standard Tatkal fare.&nbsp;Thereafter the fare for the subsequent 20 per cent of bookings go up by three times of the standard Tatkal fare, the minister noted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gohain explained higher fares of these trains as an outcome of escalating operational costs.</p>

<p>&quot;The operational cost of running passenger train services is increasing year after year while the passenger fare is highly subsidised,&quot; Gohain added.</p>

<p>&quot;At present, there is no such proposal&quot;, he replied to a query on government&#39;s plan of increasing fares.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


'At present, there is no such proposal', Minister of State of Railways Rajen Gohain

In a written reply to Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State of Railways, Rajen Gohain noted that the government does not plan to hike railway fares. Gohain noted that the national transporter has seen an increase in passenger traffic by 0.68 per cent and a spike of 0.99 per cent between Delhi and Mumbai during April- November 2017 as compared to the corresponding period last year. Gohain's reply addressed queries around passenger traffic, special trains and their fares. He shared that 'special' trains are made operational with an aim to clear extra rush of passengers during peak seasons, festivals and special events. "Special trains on special charges are introduced based on demand pattern. They run over and above the scheduled trains and are charged at the rate of 10 per cent of basic fare for the second class and 30 per cent of basic fare for all other classes," the minister said. Suvidha trains are run based on the demand pattern. The minimum fare of such trains -- applicable for the initial 20 per cent bookings -- usually equals the standard Tatkal fare. Thereafter the fare for the subsequent 20 per cent of bookings go up by three times of the standard Tatkal fare, the minister noted. Gohain explained higher fares of these trains as an outcome of escalating operational costs. "The operational cost of running passenger train services is increasing year after year while the passenger fare is highly subsidised," Gohain added. "At present, there is no such proposal", he replied to a query on government's plan of increasing fares. (With inputs from PTI)

'Don't plan to hike fares,' Indian Railways informed Parliament today

<p>In a first, cricket legend <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/finally-sachin-tendulkar-to-initiate-debate-in-rajya-sabha-today-27337">Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate</a> in Rajya Sabha today on &quot;Right to Play and the future of sports in India&quot;.</p>

<p>Sachin&#39;s debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Uproar in Rajya Sabha over PM Modi&#39;s remarks on Manmohan Singh during Gujarat election campaign, as MP Sachin Tendulkar gets up to speak. <a href="https://t.co/qbMh0qZ8yp">pic.twitter.com/qbMh0qZ8yp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943763327330553856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sachin Tendulkar was nominated to Rajya Sabha in the year 2012. He started off as an independent candidate with Congress&#39; support.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He (<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SachinTendulkar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SachinTendulkar</a>) has earned name for India at the world stage, it is a matter of shame that he was not allowed to speak even when everyone knew it was on today&#39;s agenda. Are only politicians allowed to speak?: Jaya Bachchan, Rajya Sabha MP <a href="https://t.co/NMRMHhdl5E">pic.twitter.com/NMRMHhdl5E</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/943772810165460992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The opposition created an uproar over <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-claims-pakistan-trying-to-influence-gujarat-elections-26391">PM Modi&#39;s remarks</a> on Manmohan Singh made during Gujarat election campaign.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There was an outcry at the parliament on Wednesday as well over PM Modi&#39;s remark.</p>

<p>Reportedly, PM Modi had made a statement previously stating&nbsp;that Manmohan Singh had allegedly colluded with Pakistan to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;There were media reports yesterday about a meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar&#39;s house. It was attended by Pakistan&#39;s high commissioner, Pakistan&#39;s former foreign minister, India&#39;s former vice president and former prime minister Manmohan Singh,&quot; PM Modi spoke at an election rally at Palanpur earlier this month.</p>

<p>Congress has strongly condemned PM Modi&#39;s remark, demanding his apology for the same.</p>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Minister Khurshid <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-cock-and-bull-story-former-pakistan-minister-on-pm-modis-colluding-claims-26660">Mahmud Kasuri trashed Modi&#39;s allegations</a>, calling them &quot;baseless&quot;.&nbsp;</p>


The opposition created an uproar over PM Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh during Gujarat election campaign

In a first, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was expected to lead a debate in Rajya Sabha today on "Right to Play and the future of sports in India". Sachin's debate could not be initiated as the Rajya Sabha session was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow after sloganeering began by the opposition. Uproar in Rajya Sabha over PM Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh during Gujarat election campaign, as MP Sachin Tendulkar gets up to speak. pic.twitter.com/qbMh0qZ8yp — ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017 × Sachin Tendulkar was nominated to Rajya Sabha in the year 2012. He started off as an independent candidate with Congress' support. He (#SachinTendulkar) has earned name for India at the world stage, it is a matter of shame that he was not allowed to speak even when everyone knew it was on today's agenda. Are only politicians allowed to speak?: Jaya Bachchan, Rajya Sabha MP pic.twitter.com/NMRMHhdl5E — ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017 × The opposition created an uproar over PM Modi's remarks on Manmohan Singh made during Gujarat election campaign. There was an outcry at the parliament on Wednesday as well over PM Modi's remark. Reportedly, PM Modi had made a statement previously stating that Manmohan Singh had allegedly colluded with Pakistan to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Gujarat. "There were media reports yesterday about a meeting at Mani Shankar Aiyar's house. It was attended by Pakistan's high commissioner, Pakistan's former foreign minister, India's former vice president and former prime minister Manmohan Singh," PM Modi spoke at an election rally at Palanpur earlier this month. Congress has strongly condemned PM Modi's remark, demanding his apology for the same. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri trashed Modi's allegations, calling them "baseless".

Rajya Sabha adjourned, Sachin not allowed to make maiden speech

<p>The BJP today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not uttered a single word for which he should apologise and accused the Congress of venting the frustration of its defeat in the recent assembly polls by stalling Parliament.</p>

<p>BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back at the Congress after its leaders demanded that Modi apologise for the allegation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh had colluded with Pakistan to influence Gujarat polls.</p>

<p>He told reporters that the opposition party should rather come clean at the dinner meeting as its leader Anand Sharma had first denied any such event before accepting it.</p>

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<h5>It was appalling, Patra claimed, that Congress had stooped to stalling Parliament</h5>
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<p>Patra alleged that Congress leaders, including its former chief Sonia Gandhi, her daughter Priyanka and many others, had humiliated Modi the multiple&nbsp;times and the opposition party never tendered an apology to him.</p>

<p>It was appalling, he claimed, that the Congress had stooped down to stalling Parliament.</p>

<p>If anyone ever humiliated Manmohan Singh, then it was Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had torn up an ordinance proposed by the UPA government and called it nonsense, he claimed.</p>

<p>&quot;Our prime minister has not uttered a single word or done any wrong for which he should apologise,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>The Congress ran out of issues after people showed their support to demonetisation and the GST by voting for the BJP as it used them to stall Parliament, he said.</p>

<p>&#39;Vikas purush&#39; (man of development) had defeated the &#39;Gabbar Singh&#39; and anti-reform politics, he said, a reference to Gandhi&#39;s moniker of &#39;Gabbar Singh Tax&#39; for the GST.</p>

<p>&#39;Vikas Purush&#39; is a reference to Modi.</p>

<p>When the Monsoon Session was delayed, then the Congress accused the government of not letting Parliament work and now when the session has started, it is not letting it work, Patra claimed.&nbsp;</p>


BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the Congress should come clean on its dinner meeting with Pakistani leaders

The BJP today said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not uttered a single word for which he should apologise and accused the Congress of venting the frustration of its defeat in the recent assembly polls by stalling Parliament. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra hit back at the Congress after its leaders demanded that Modi apologise for the allegation that his predecessor Manmohan Singh had colluded with Pakistan to influence Gujarat polls. He told reporters that the opposition party should rather come clean at the dinner meeting as its leader Anand Sharma had first denied any such event before accepting it. It was appalling, Patra claimed, that Congress had stooped to stalling Parliament × Patra alleged that Congress leaders, including its former chief Sonia Gandhi, her daughter Priyanka and many others, had humiliated Modi the multiple times and the opposition party never tendered an apology to him. It was appalling, he claimed, that the Congress had stooped down to stalling Parliament. If anyone ever humiliated Manmohan Singh, then it was Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had torn up an ordinance proposed by the UPA government and called it nonsense, he claimed. "Our prime minister has not uttered a single word or done any wrong for which he should apologise," he said. The Congress ran out of issues after people showed their support to demonetisation and the GST by voting for the BJP as it used them to stall Parliament, he said. 'Vikas purush' (man of development) had defeated the 'Gabbar Singh' and anti-reform politics, he said, a reference to Gandhi's moniker of 'Gabbar Singh Tax' for the GST. 'Vikas Purush' is a reference to Modi. When the Monsoon Session was delayed, then the Congress accused the government of not letting Parliament work and now when the session has started, it is not letting it work, Patra claimed.

Congress stalling Parliament to vent frustration over poll loss: BJP

<p>The Parliament has passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 with the Rajya Sabha adopting it on Tuesday (December 19).</p>

<p>The Lok Sabha had cleared the bill earlier in the monsoon session.</p>

<p>The bill intends to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business.</p>

<p>It provides for more than 40 amendments to the Companies Act, 2013, which was passed during the previous UPA regime.</p>

<p>Replying to issues raised by the members during a discussion on the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs PP Chaudhary said the amendment would ensure better corporate governance and improve the ease of doing business in the country.</p>

<p>The minister dismissed the apprehensions raised by members that the government was not doing enough to ensure that companies comply with the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, provisions.</p>

<p>&quot;The government has already issued notices to many companies for not complying with CSR provisions under the Companies Act,&quot; Chaudhary said.</p>

<p>On the government&#39;s promptness in taking action against companies at fault, Chaudhary said the government has taken several step against such firms which were not taken in last several years. He said the government has taken action against over two lakh shell companies and Special Fraud Investigation Office was looking into it.</p>


The bill intends to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business

The Parliament has passed the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017 with the Rajya Sabha adopting it on Tuesday (December 19). The Lok Sabha had cleared the bill earlier in the monsoon session. The bill intends to strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help improve ease of doing business. It provides for more than 40 amendments to the Companies Act, 2013, which was passed during the previous UPA regime. Replying to issues raised by the members during a discussion on the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs PP Chaudhary said the amendment would ensure better corporate governance and improve the ease of doing business in the country. The minister dismissed the apprehensions raised by members that the government was not doing enough to ensure that companies comply with the Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, provisions. "The government has already issued notices to many companies for not complying with CSR provisions under the Companies Act," Chaudhary said. On the government's promptness in taking action against companies at fault, Chaudhary said the government has taken several step against such firms which were not taken in last several years. He said the government has taken action against over two lakh shell companies and Special Fraud Investigation Office was looking into it.

Parliament passes Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2017

<p>Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu brought minor changes in the conduct of the Rajya Sabha on the first day on Friday after taking over as its Chairman, asking ministers and members not to use colonial terms while laying papers on the table.</p>

<p>Presiding over the Upper House proceedings on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Naidu said no one should use the word &quot;I beg to&quot; while laying papers on the table.</p>

<p>&quot;Just say I raise to lay on the table&quot; the listed papers, he said. &quot;No need to beg... this is independent India.&quot;</p>

<p>He made the observation after the ministers called to lay the listed papers on the table, began their sentences by saying &quot;I beg to lay on the table the papers listed against my name in today&#39;s revised list of business.&quot;</p>

<p>Naidu was however quick to clarify that this was only a suggestion and not an order.</p>

<p>This was not only the change that Naidu brought in on the first day as the presiding officer of the House. He also stood up while reading out obituary references.</p>

<p>His predecessors Hamid Ansari and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat used to read the obituary references while being seated.</p>

<p>Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan too stands while reading out obituary references.</p>

<p>Naidu took over as the Vice President of India in August.</p>

<p>Vice President is also the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha.</p>


Presiding over the Upper House proceedings on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Naidu said no one should use the word "I beg to" while laying papers on the table.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu brought minor changes in the conduct of the Rajya Sabha on the first day on Friday after taking over as its Chairman, asking ministers and members not to use colonial terms while laying papers on the table. Presiding over the Upper House proceedings on the opening day of the Winter Session of Parliament, Naidu said no one should use the word "I beg to" while laying papers on the table. "Just say I raise to lay on the table" the listed papers, he said. "No need to beg... this is independent India." He made the observation after the ministers called to lay the listed papers on the table, began their sentences by saying "I beg to lay on the table the papers listed against my name in today's revised list of business." Naidu was however quick to clarify that this was only a suggestion and not an order. This was not only the change that Naidu brought in on the first day as the presiding officer of the House. He also stood up while reading out obituary references. His predecessors Hamid Ansari and Bhairon Singh Shekhawat used to read the obituary references while being seated. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan too stands while reading out obituary references. Naidu took over as the Vice President of India in August. Vice President is also the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha.

Don't say 'beg', we are a free nation: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu to ministers

<p>The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 18 December, after obituary references by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the new Cabinet, following obituary references in both Houses.</p>

<p>The Winter Session of the parliament began today morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoped that the country would benefit and democracy will be strengthened from the session.</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;I have faith and all-party meeting yesterday shared the same idea that this Parliament session should be held with the positive approach to move the country forward. I also hope that country will be benefited and the democracy will be strengthened from the session,&#39;&#39; PM Modi said ahead of winter session</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinterSession?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WinterSession</a> of Parliament begins: Obituary references being made in the Rajya Sabha, by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu <a href="https://t.co/nO0xCVIfNP">pic.twitter.com/nO0xCVIfNP</a></p>
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<p>&#39;&#39;Generally, winter starts with Diwali. But due to global warming winter has not come in full force. But winter session has started now and I hope that country would be benefited from fruitful 2017-2018 winter session in Parliament,&#39;&#39; Modis&nbsp;said and added that he hoped for positive and innovative arguments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge was in favour of constructive suggestion and appealed the ruling party to respect the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&#39;&#39;We are always in favour of constructive suggestion, we are very much interested to run Parliament &amp; issues to be discussed, provided the Govt should take interest and create such an atmosphere which is conducive for discussion. They should respect the opposition,&#39;&#39; he said.&nbsp;</p>


Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoped that the country would be benefited and democracy will be strengthened from the session.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 18 December, after obituary references by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the new Cabinet, following obituary references in both Houses. The Winter Session of the parliament began today morning. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoped that the country would benefit and democracy will be strengthened from the session. ''I have faith and all-party meeting yesterday shared the same idea that this Parliament session should be held with the positive approach to move the country forward. I also hope that country will be benefited and the democracy will be strengthened from the session,'' PM Modi said ahead of winter session #WinterSession of Parliament begins: Obituary references being made in the Rajya Sabha, by Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu pic.twitter.com/nO0xCVIfNP — ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2017 × ''Generally, winter starts with Diwali. But due to global warming winter has not come in full force. But winter session has started now and I hope that country would be benefited from fruitful 2017-2018 winter session in Parliament,'' Modis said and added that he hoped for positive and innovative arguments. Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge was in favour of constructive suggestion and appealed the ruling party to respect the opposition. ''We are always in favour of constructive suggestion, we are very much interested to run Parliament & issues to be discussed, provided the Govt should take interest and create such an atmosphere which is conducive for discussion. They should respect the opposition,'' he said.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 18 December, after obituary references

<p>As many as 25 pending bills and 14 new ones, including Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Muslim women rights, will be picked up in the session spread over 22 days during the winter session that is all set to begin on Friday.</p>

<p>&quot;Main issues in the session will be supplementary demand for grants, Constitutional amendment Article 123 (Constitutional status to backward classes), Muslim women Right on Marriage 2017 bill. We will also discuss three ordinances including GST compensation to states,&quot; said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday.</p>

<p>Among the 25 Bills, few crucial Bills expected to be taken up are:</p>

<p>The Goods &amp; Services Tax (Compensation to States) Ordinance, 2017, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, Insolvency &amp; Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 are some the bills will be taken up during the session.</p>

<p>Earlier the Opposition alleged that the BJP led government at the Centre delayed the Winter Session to avoid questions on GST and other key issues ahead of the Gujarat and Himachal Assembly polls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gujarat polls were held in two phases on December 9 and 14, Himachal elections on November 9. The counting for both the states will be held on December 18.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an all-party meet to chalk out the strategy of the winter session of Parliament. He requested for cooperation by all parties in order to make the Parliament session a fruitful one.</p>

<p>&quot;The Prime Minister appealed to everyone for a successful Parliament winter session. He also appealed to everyone for a peaceful session following the high-pitched election,&quot; Kumar added.</p>

<p>Parliament Winter Session which begins on December 15, 2017, and lasts till January 5, 2018, is expected to witness heavy fireworks as the Congress would try to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over a range of issues.</p>

<p>Earlier, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had asserted that the Congress party would raise various issues in the Parliament session including Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetisation, Rafael deal and economic condition.</p>


Earlier the Opposition alleged that the BJP led government at the Centre delayed the Winter Session to avoid questions on GST and other key issues ahead of the Gujarat and Himachal Assembly polls.?

As many as 25 pending bills and 14 new ones, including Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Muslim women rights, will be picked up in the session spread over 22 days during the winter session that is all set to begin on Friday. "Main issues in the session will be supplementary demand for grants, Constitutional amendment Article 123 (Constitutional status to backward classes), Muslim women Right on Marriage 2017 bill. We will also discuss three ordinances including GST compensation to states," said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday. Among the 25 Bills, few crucial Bills expected to be taken up are: The Goods & Services Tax (Compensation to States) Ordinance, 2017, Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, Indian Forest (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 are some the bills will be taken up during the session. Earlier the Opposition alleged that the BJP led government at the Centre delayed the Winter Session to avoid questions on GST and other key issues ahead of the Gujarat and Himachal Assembly polls. Gujarat polls were held in two phases on December 9 and 14, Himachal elections on November 9. The counting for both the states will be held on December 18. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an all-party meet to chalk out the strategy of the winter session of Parliament. He requested for cooperation by all parties in order to make the Parliament session a fruitful one. "The Prime Minister appealed to everyone for a successful Parliament winter session. He also appealed to everyone for a peaceful session following the high-pitched election," Kumar added. Parliament Winter Session which begins on December 15, 2017, and lasts till January 5, 2018, is expected to witness heavy fireworks as the Congress would try to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over a range of issues. Earlier, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had asserted that the Congress party would raise various issues in the Parliament session including Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetisation, Rafael deal and economic condition.

Winter session of Parliament begins today, Centre seeks to pass 25 bills

<p>It was a cold day yesterday, December 13th when a large group of people got together in Connaught place. They represented organisations, such as the Centre for Social Research, Joint women&rsquo;s programme, Justice Seekers, Women Power Connect, CARE, YWCA of Delhi, YWCA India, NFIW, Muslim Women&rsquo;s Association, Sahaj Sambhav, SERWA, Delhi State Council of women, Delhi government and others.</p>

<p>The purpose of their rally was to make a strong request to the government to introduce the women&rsquo;s representation bill in the upcoming parliamentary session in December.</p>

<p>This bill guarantees that at least 1/3 of all the legislators in the parliament will be women. At least 1/3 of election tickets will be given to women so that they can contest the elections and have a chance to win a seat. Women have always been underrepresented in the Indian parliament (never more than 12 per cent), and this bill aims to set that right. The bill has already been passed in the Rajya Sabha and requires a simple majority in the Lok Sabha to become law.</p>

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<p>Women reservation bill seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies. (Others)</p>
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<p>The central government had promised citizens equal representation for women in its election manifesto. The government currently enjoys an absolute majority in the legislature. Activists are, therefore, baffled and dismayed that the government in spite of its rhetoric (of being sensitive to women&rsquo;s issues) has not seen fit to table and pass the bill. There seem to be no obvious impediments to its passage as the opposition supports the bill too. Women activists strongly believe the time is ripe for the government to take this progressive step.</p>

<p>Yesterday, during the rally, various activists, citizens and elected leaders voiced their arguments and concerns. Dr Ranjana Kumari, the iconic director of Centre for Social Research, reiterated her frustration at the government dragging its heels over this critical issue despite enjoying power for over 3 years. She felt it was one of the ways for them to regain the trust of the public who felt let down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ms Alka Lamba of Delhi government made a passionate speech, reminding all that women were not wallflowers to be stepped upon. They could, in fact, assume the role of warrior queen Rain Laxmibai or Goddess Kali when necessary, for a worthy cause.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Senior activists of the Joint women&#39;s programme, Padmini Kumar and Husna Subhani stated that it was a now or never situation for the re-tabling of the bill as the current government enjoyed an absolute majority, and there would be no difficulty in the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha. Mrs. Anshu Sahi, an ex-principal army public school, talked about her desire to see a level playing field for girls and boys.</p>

<p>Other activists sang, chanted slogans, expressed demands and answered questions posed by the media persons gathered there. The media wanted to ascertain why the bill was not being passed by the government despite gender experts advocating the importance of its passage for the overall development of the country. The activists felt this was due to a mixture of a prevalent patriarchal mindset and a reluctance of those in power to relinquish any part of it.</p>

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<p>Women activists organised a rally in support of women&rsquo;s representation bill. (Others)</p>
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<p>The committed activists and citizens defied the orders of the local policemen who tried to prevent them from marching and did execute a peaceful walk around Connaught Place, raising awareness about the bill. It was very fitting that the entire rally took place around the base of the Indian flag- since this bill relies on constitutional guarantees for the upliftment of women.</p>

<p>The rally was a wonderful reminder of the perseverance of the women&#39;s movement. For 21 long years, the women activists have not given up their tireless struggle to see that justice prevails and that women who make up 50 per cent of the population get their fair share of representation in governance at the highest levels. Having more female legislators in parliament will drive the country&#39;s development at a faster pace as a new talent pool will be available.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Simultaneously, more women will be empowered in significant ways. Several women&#39;s issues will be brought up and addressed more thoughtfully and comprehensively. Seeing more women in leadership roles will inculcate more respect for this sex in the general population and help reverse the patriarchal mindset.</p>

<p>The rally was also a reminder of the gumption of women activists and their fierce sense of social responsibility. Our school education helps us to think more logically and communicate our thoughts clearly. The fact that so many more of us women are educated is due to the fact that a committed set of activists of the past generations defied the social order that curtailed and restricted a woman&rsquo;s education beyond the 5th standard. Similarly we need to battle hard to leave an equally rich legacy for the generation after us.</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The central government needs to introduce the women?s representation bill in the upcoming parliamentary session in December

It was a cold day yesterday, December 13th when a large group of people got together in Connaught place. They represented organisations, such as the Centre for Social Research, Joint women’s programme, Justice Seekers, Women Power Connect, CARE, YWCA of Delhi, YWCA India, NFIW, Muslim Women’s Association, Sahaj Sambhav, SERWA, Delhi State Council of women, Delhi government and others. The purpose of their rally was to make a strong request to the government to introduce the women’s representation bill in the upcoming parliamentary session in December. This bill guarantees that at least 1/3 of all the legislators in the parliament will be women. At least 1/3 of election tickets will be given to women so that they can contest the elections and have a chance to win a seat. Women have always been underrepresented in the Indian parliament (never more than 12 per cent), and this bill aims to set that right. The bill has already been passed in the Rajya Sabha and requires a simple majority in the Lok Sabha to become law. Women reservation bill seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies. (Others) × The central government had promised citizens equal representation for women in its election manifesto. The government currently enjoys an absolute majority in the legislature. Activists are, therefore, baffled and dismayed that the government in spite of its rhetoric (of being sensitive to women’s issues) has not seen fit to table and pass the bill. There seem to be no obvious impediments to its passage as the opposition supports the bill too. Women activists strongly believe the time is ripe for the government to take this progressive step. Yesterday, during the rally, various activists, citizens and elected leaders voiced their arguments and concerns. Dr Ranjana Kumari, the iconic director of Centre for Social Research, reiterated her frustration at the government dragging its heels over this critical issue despite enjoying power for over 3 years. She felt it was one of the ways for them to regain the trust of the public who felt let down. Ms Alka Lamba of Delhi government made a passionate speech, reminding all that women were not wallflowers to be stepped upon. They could, in fact, assume the role of warrior queen Rain Laxmibai or Goddess Kali when necessary, for a worthy cause. Senior activists of the Joint women's programme, Padmini Kumar and Husna Subhani stated that it was a now or never situation for the re-tabling of the bill as the current government enjoyed an absolute majority, and there would be no difficulty in the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha. Mrs. Anshu Sahi, an ex-principal army public school, talked about her desire to see a level playing field for girls and boys. Other activists sang, chanted slogans, expressed demands and answered questions posed by the media persons gathered there. The media wanted to ascertain why the bill was not being passed by the government despite gender experts advocating the importance of its passage for the overall development of the country. The activists felt this was due to a mixture of a prevalent patriarchal mindset and a reluctance of those in power to relinquish any part of it. Women activists organised a rally in support of women’s representation bill. (Others) × The committed activists and citizens defied the orders of the local policemen who tried to prevent them from marching and did execute a peaceful walk around Connaught Place, raising awareness about the bill. It was very fitting that the entire rally took place around the base of the Indian flag- since this bill relies on constitutional guarantees for the upliftment of women. The rally was a wonderful reminder of the perseverance of the women's movement. For 21 long years, the women activists have not given up their tireless struggle to see that justice prevails and that women who make up 50 per cent of the population get their fair share of representation in governance at the highest levels. Having more female legislators in parliament will drive the country's development at a faster pace as a new talent pool will be available. Simultaneously, more women will be empowered in significant ways. Several women's issues will be brought up and addressed more thoughtfully and comprehensively. Seeing more women in leadership roles will inculcate more respect for this sex in the general population and help reverse the patriarchal mindset. The rally was also a reminder of the gumption of women activists and their fierce sense of social responsibility. Our school education helps us to think more logically and communicate our thoughts clearly. The fact that so many more of us women are educated is due to the fact that a committed set of activists of the past generations defied the social order that curtailed and restricted a woman’s education beyond the 5th standard. Similarly we need to battle hard to leave an equally rich legacy for the generation after us. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: India needs more women to contest elections

<p>Russian lawmakers will vote next week on measures banning all US media from the lower house of parliament, a deputy said Friday, in response to the US Congress stripping state channel RT of its credentials.</p>

<p>A senior United Russia party lawmaker Olga Savastyanova said the Russian Duma will vote on the ban on December 6. It is unlikely that the proposal would be rejected by the overwhelmingly pro-Kremlin assembly.</p>

<p>&quot;The ban will impact all American media,&quot; she said, according to the Duma&#39;s official website.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are 21 American media outlets accredited to work in Russia, according to the website of the foreign ministry which keeps the register and issues documents to journalists.</p>

<p>&quot;After the decree regarding closing access for American journalists to the Duma building is passed, we will work out all organisational and technical issues with the foreign ministry,&quot; Savastyanova said.</p>

<p>The ban would apply to US media rather than journalists from other foreign countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Such outrageous attacks on foreign media, in particular Russian media, go against the international practice of freedom of speech and unfortunately flourish in full Technicolor in the US,&quot; he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The ban would be the latest development in tit-for-tat fallout from Washington&#39;s forced registration of RT as a &quot;foreign agent&quot; in the US.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Washington views the channel as a propaganda arm of the Kremlin, which is accused of interfering in the presidential elections last year.</p>

<p>The congressional committee of journalists which regulates who is accredited to cover the legislature said Thursday they voted unanimously to withdraw RT&#39;s press pass.</p>


The ban would be the latest development in tit-for-tat fallout from Washington's forced registration of RT as a 'foreign agent' in the US

Russian lawmakers will vote next week on measures banning all US media from the lower house of parliament, a deputy said Friday, in response to the US Congress stripping state channel RT of its credentials. A senior United Russia party lawmaker Olga Savastyanova said the Russian Duma will vote on the ban on December 6. It is unlikely that the proposal would be rejected by the overwhelmingly pro-Kremlin assembly. "The ban will impact all American media," she said, according to the Duma's official website. There are 21 American media outlets accredited to work in Russia, according to the website of the foreign ministry which keeps the register and issues documents to journalists. "After the decree regarding closing access for American journalists to the Duma building is passed, we will work out all organisational and technical issues with the foreign ministry," Savastyanova said. The ban would apply to US media rather than journalists from other foreign countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "Such outrageous attacks on foreign media, in particular Russian media, go against the international practice of freedom of speech and unfortunately flourish in full Technicolor in the US," he said. The ban would be the latest development in tit-for-tat fallout from Washington's forced registration of RT as a "foreign agent" in the US. Washington views the channel as a propaganda arm of the Kremlin, which is accused of interfering in the presidential elections last year. The congressional committee of journalists which regulates who is accredited to cover the legislature said Thursday they voted unanimously to withdraw RT's press pass.

Russian MPs to vote on banning US media from parliament on December 6

<p>The government on Friday announced the dates for winter session of Parliament. The session will begin from December 15, a day after the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls, and will continue till January 5.</p>

<p>&quot;This will be a 14-day session. December 25 and 26 will be Christmas holidays,&quot; Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said.</p>

<p>The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA), headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, had earlier this week deliberated upon the dates of the session.</p>

<p>The opposition had attacked the government for delaying the winter session, claiming that it was being done to avoid a debate on scams, including the Rafale deal, ahead of Gujarat Assembly polls.</p>

<p>The BJP, however, rejected the Congress&#39;s tirade as a &quot;chorus of baseless allegations&quot; and insisted that previous governments, including the UPA, had also scheduled sessions after state polls as politicians were busy campaigning.</p>

<p>Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar had said the winter session, which generally starts from November&#39;s third week, would be convened in December.</p>


The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA), headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, had earlier this week deliberated upon the dates of the session.

The government on Friday announced the dates for winter session of Parliament. The session will begin from December 15, a day after the second phase of the Gujarat Assembly polls, and will continue till January 5. "This will be a 14-day session. December 25 and 26 will be Christmas holidays," Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar said. The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA), headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, had earlier this week deliberated upon the dates of the session. The opposition had attacked the government for delaying the winter session, claiming that it was being done to avoid a debate on scams, including the Rafale deal, ahead of Gujarat Assembly polls. The BJP, however, rejected the Congress's tirade as a "chorus of baseless allegations" and insisted that previous governments, including the UPA, had also scheduled sessions after state polls as politicians were busy campaigning. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar had said the winter session, which generally starts from November's third week, would be convened in December.

Winter Session of Parliament to be held from December 15 to January 5

<p>The Congress has accused the government of delaying the winter session of Parliament &ldquo;without ascribing any justification for doing so&rdquo; and approached President Ram Nath Kovind, urging him to direct the Centre to summon the Houses at the earliest.</p>

<p>The Congress Parliamentary Party, in its November 21, 2017, letter to the President, claimed that not convening the Parliament session on time would set an &ldquo;unhealthy precedent&rdquo;. The party accused the NDA government of delaying the session &ldquo;without ascribing any justification for doing so&ldquo;.</p>

<p>It claimed that the apparent reason informally mentioned by the government for &ldquo;delaying&rdquo; the session is the Gujarat Assembly election. The Congress argued that the session was convened &ldquo;as per the established practice and convention&rdquo; and not the poll schedule.</p>

<p>The letter was signed by the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress&rsquo; leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, party&rsquo;s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma, its chief whip in the Lower House Jyotiraditya Scindia and whip Deependra Hooda.</p>

<p>They also reiterated the party&rsquo;s allegation that the government was avoiding facing Parliament and answering questions on its &ldquo;flawed and unpopular&rdquo; policies an &ldquo;rampant corruption&rdquo;.</p>

<p>&ldquo;We seek to draw your attention to the inordinate delay by the government in convening the Winter Session of Parliament without ascribing any justification for doing so,&rdquo; they said in the letter.</p>

<p>The leaders said the 2012 Assembly polls in the State were held on December 13 and December 17. Parliament session, however, was duly convened on November 22 &ldquo;as per practice&rdquo; and adjourned on December 20 of that year.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It is also pertinent to mention, that Winter Session is preceded by the longest inter-session break after the Monsoon Session vis-?is all other inter-session breaks. Thus, not convening of Winter Session on time will set an unhealthy precedent,&rdquo; they added.</p>

<p>Claiming the government was avoiding facing questions on the floor of the Houses, the leaders said it was a &ldquo;matter of serious concern&rdquo; that the members of Parliament were allegedly being denied timely opportunity to discharge their duties.</p>

<p>&ldquo;It also undermines the institution of Parliament itself and calls for honorable president&rsquo;s urgent intervention as the custodian of the Constitution,&rdquo; they said.</p>


The Congress has accused the government of delaying the winter session of Parliament ?without ascribing any justification for doing so? and approached President Ram Nath Kovind, urging him to direct the Centre to summon the Houses at the earliest

The Congress has accused the government of delaying the winter session of Parliament “without ascribing any justification for doing so” and approached President Ram Nath Kovind, urging him to direct the Centre to summon the Houses at the earliest. The Congress Parliamentary Party, in its November 21, 2017, letter to the President, claimed that not convening the Parliament session on time would set an “unhealthy precedent”. The party accused the NDA government of delaying the session “without ascribing any justification for doing so“. It claimed that the apparent reason informally mentioned by the government for “delaying” the session is the Gujarat Assembly election. The Congress argued that the session was convened “as per the established practice and convention” and not the poll schedule. The letter was signed by the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress’ leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, party’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma, its chief whip in the Lower House Jyotiraditya Scindia and whip Deependra Hooda. They also reiterated the party’s allegation that the government was avoiding facing Parliament and answering questions on its “flawed and unpopular” policies an “rampant corruption”. “We seek to draw your attention to the inordinate delay by the government in convening the Winter Session of Parliament without ascribing any justification for doing so,” they said in the letter. The leaders said the 2012 Assembly polls in the State were held on December 13 and December 17. Parliament session, however, was duly convened on November 22 “as per practice” and adjourned on December 20 of that year. “It is also pertinent to mention, that Winter Session is preceded by the longest inter-session break after the Monsoon Session vis-?is all other inter-session breaks. Thus, not convening of Winter Session on time will set an unhealthy precedent,” they added. Claiming the government was avoiding facing questions on the floor of the Houses, the leaders said it was a “matter of serious concern” that the members of Parliament were allegedly being denied timely opportunity to discharge their duties. “It also undermines the institution of Parliament itself and calls for honorable president’s urgent intervention as the custodian of the Constitution,” they said.

Congress urges President to direct government to convene Parliament

<p>Zimbabwe&rsquo;s parliament began an impeachment process against President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday that looks set to bring his domination of a country he has ruled since independence nearly four decades ago to an ignominious end.</p>

<p>In the last week, Mugabe has clung on in the face of a collapse of his authority and a Monday deadline to quit.</p>

<p>The army seized power a week ago and there have been mass protests against him and calls to resign from many sides including on Tuesday from the ruling party&rsquo;s favourite to succeed him <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ousted-zimbabwe-deputy-president-asks-mugabe-to-resign-24737" target="_blank">Emmerson Mnangagwa</a>.</p>

<p>Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda said he received a motion to impeach and the parliament would adjourn for a hotel to start the proceedings on Tuesday afternoon. Zimbabwean law says a joint sitting can take place anywhere. Thousands of people demonstrated outside parliament urging Mugabe to quit.</p>

<p>Mugabe led Zimbabwe&rsquo;s liberation war and is hailed as one of Africa&rsquo;s founding fathers and a staunch supporter of the drive to free neighbouring South Africa from apartheid in 1994.</p>

<p>But many people in Africa and beyond also say he has damaged Zimbabwe&rsquo;s economy, democracy, and judiciary by staying in power for too long and has used violence to crush perceived political opponents.</p>


Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from British rule in 1980

Zimbabwe’s parliament began an impeachment process against President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday that looks set to bring his domination of a country he has ruled since independence nearly four decades ago to an ignominious end. In the last week, Mugabe has clung on in the face of a collapse of his authority and a Monday deadline to quit. The army seized power a week ago and there have been mass protests against him and calls to resign from many sides including on Tuesday from the ruling party’s favourite to succeed him Emmerson Mnangagwa. Parliament Speaker Jacob Mudenda said he received a motion to impeach and the parliament would adjourn for a hotel to start the proceedings on Tuesday afternoon. Zimbabwean law says a joint sitting can take place anywhere. Thousands of people demonstrated outside parliament urging Mugabe to quit. Mugabe led Zimbabwe’s liberation war and is hailed as one of Africa’s founding fathers and a staunch supporter of the drive to free neighbouring South Africa from apartheid in 1994. But many people in Africa and beyond also say he has damaged Zimbabwe’s economy, democracy, and judiciary by staying in power for too long and has used violence to crush perceived political opponents.

Zimbabwe's parliament starts impeachment process against Mugabe

<p>Russia&rsquo;s lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed on second reading a law that would allow the Russian authorities to designate foreign media operating in Russia as &ldquo;foreign agents&rdquo;, RIA news agency reported.</p>

<p>The US&nbsp;Department of Justice has required RT America, which has ties with the Kremlin-backed TV station RT, to register as a &ldquo;foreign agent&rdquo; after accusations by US&nbsp;intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in last year&rsquo;s presidential election.</p>

<p>Russia, which denies interference in the election, has said it would respond in kind to the U.S. action. A third reading is still required before the legislation passes on to the upper house of parliament for approval.</p>


Russia's lower house of parliament passed the law saying the foreign media operating there will be termed as ' Foreign Agents '

Russia’s lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed on second reading a law that would allow the Russian authorities to designate foreign media operating in Russia as “foreign agents”, RIA news agency reported. The US Department of Justice has required RT America, which has ties with the Kremlin-backed TV station RT, to register as a “foreign agent” after accusations by US intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in last year’s presidential election. Russia, which denies interference in the election, has said it would respond in kind to the U.S. action. A third reading is still required before the legislation passes on to the upper house of parliament for approval.

Russia passes law to designate foreign media as 'foreign agents'

<p>The Supreme Court today made it clear that it would not stay away from an issue just because Parliament was debating it and would rather ensure that the people&#39;s rights are protected.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The observation was made by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra which is hearing two petitions to decide questions including whether the court can rely on or refer to parliamentary committee reports in judicial proceedings.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The issue whether a parliamentary panel report can be relied upon in judicial proceedings had arisen after the petitioners had referred to the 81st Report of Parliamentary Standing Committee, issued on December 22, 2014, allegedly indicating some pharma firms for conducting trials of the controversial Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The power of judicial review remains unaffected...We would not stay our hands just because Parliament is debating an issue. We will proceed to ensure that people&#39;s rights are protected. You cannot say that this issue has been debated in Parliament, so stay away. No, we cannot do this,&quot; the bench, which also comprised Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It said that the apex court can enforce its orders under Article 142 and ask for setting up of commissions, seek reports and order enquiry to ensure justice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the outset, Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal referred to the privileges of the House and its committees and the concept of separation of powers and said that no report of any committee of Parliament can be subjected to &quot;judicial scrutiny or review&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;The separation of power has been recognised as part of basic structure of Constitution,&quot; the top law officer said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a parliamentary form of democracy, there is a doctrine of collective responsibility of the government and &quot;the question is where do we draw the line. Like separation of power, the power of judicial review is also part of basic structure,&quot; the bench observed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It is not that our power of judicial review gets affected. We can take up a case and do the needful on our own,&quot; it said, adding the issue was that can a PIL have an affidavit containing details of a report of a parliamentary committee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During the hearing, the AG said the Indian Supreme Court was the strongest court in the world as &quot;the government of the day&quot; respects it. He then submitted that at least 30 more fundamental rights have been created under Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty) and most of them cannot be enforced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;Article 21 is worded negatively but Your Lordships have read at least 30 positive rights into it. And they cannot be enforced,&quot; Venugopal said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;It can be enforced. Take our orders for ensuring green environment. My learned brother judge, Justice Sikri&#39;s order ensured that we could breathe after Diwali,&quot; Justice Chandrachud said, adding that the order ensured compliance of right to clean environment as a fundamental right.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On the issue whether parliamentary panel reports can be used in court, the AG said, &quot;the Committees of Parliament being an essential adjunct to Parliament, and their reports being for the purpose of advising and guiding Parliament for framing laws and the Executive for framing policies, it would be a breach of privilege of Parliament to judicially scrutinise and/or review these reports for any purpose whatsoever.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The broad separation of powers, which is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, would prevent the courts from subjecting the reports of Parliamentary Committees to judicial scrutiny or review, he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Referring to constitutional provisions, he said they established that there was a bar on the courts on scrutinising or judicially reviewing the functioning of the legislature or their reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, some pharma companies had said the report of a parliamentary standing committee has &quot;persuasive&quot; value but it is neither binding nor can it be used to prove disputed facts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The case came up for hearing in the apex court in 2012 and centred around aspects relating to action taken by the Drugs Controller General of India and the Indian Council of Medical Research pertaining to the approval of HPV vaccine manufactured by M/s GlaxoSmithKline Asia Pvt Ltd and MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd for preventing cervical cancer among women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The hearing remained inconclusive and would resume on October 31.</p>


'We will proceed to ensure that people's rights are protected,' a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said

The Supreme Court today made it clear that it would not stay away from an issue just because Parliament was debating it and would rather ensure that the people's rights are protected. The observation was made by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra which is hearing two petitions to decide questions including whether the court can rely on or refer to parliamentary committee reports in judicial proceedings. The issue whether a parliamentary panel report can be relied upon in judicial proceedings had arisen after the petitioners had referred to the 81st Report of Parliamentary Standing Committee, issued on December 22, 2014, allegedly indicating some pharma firms for conducting trials of the controversial Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. "The power of judicial review remains unaffected...We would not stay our hands just because Parliament is debating an issue. We will proceed to ensure that people's rights are protected. You cannot say that this issue has been debated in Parliament, so stay away. No, we cannot do this," the bench, which also comprised Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan, said. It said that the apex court can enforce its orders under Article 142 and ask for setting up of commissions, seek reports and order enquiry to ensure justice. At the outset, Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal referred to the privileges of the House and its committees and the concept of separation of powers and said that no report of any committee of Parliament can be subjected to "judicial scrutiny or review". "The separation of power has been recognised as part of basic structure of Constitution," the top law officer said. In a parliamentary form of democracy, there is a doctrine of collective responsibility of the government and "the question is where do we draw the line. Like separation of power, the power of judicial review is also part of basic structure," the bench observed. "It is not that our power of judicial review gets affected. We can take up a case and do the needful on our own," it said, adding the issue was that can a PIL have an affidavit containing details of a report of a parliamentary committee. During the hearing, the AG said the Indian Supreme Court was the strongest court in the world as "the government of the day" respects it. He then submitted that at least 30 more fundamental rights have been created under Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty) and most of them cannot be enforced. "Article 21 is worded negatively but Your Lordships have read at least 30 positive rights into it. And they cannot be enforced," Venugopal said. "It can be enforced. Take our orders for ensuring green environment. My learned brother judge, Justice Sikri's order ensured that we could breathe after Diwali," Justice Chandrachud said, adding that the order ensured compliance of right to clean environment as a fundamental right. On the issue whether parliamentary panel reports can be used in court, the AG said, "the Committees of Parliament being an essential adjunct to Parliament, and their reports being for the purpose of advising and guiding Parliament for framing laws and the Executive for framing policies, it would be a breach of privilege of Parliament to judicially scrutinise and/or review these reports for any purpose whatsoever." The broad separation of powers, which is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, would prevent the courts from subjecting the reports of Parliamentary Committees to judicial scrutiny or review, he said. Referring to constitutional provisions, he said they established that there was a bar on the courts on scrutinising or judicially reviewing the functioning of the legislature or their reports. Earlier, some pharma companies had said the report of a parliamentary standing committee has "persuasive" value but it is neither binding nor can it be used to prove disputed facts. The case came up for hearing in the apex court in 2012 and centred around aspects relating to action taken by the Drugs Controller General of India and the Indian Council of Medical Research pertaining to the approval of HPV vaccine manufactured by M/s GlaxoSmithKline Asia Pvt Ltd and MSD Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd for preventing cervical cancer among women. The hearing remained inconclusive and would resume on October 31.

Won't stay away from issue just because Parliament is debating it: Supreme Court

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