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Women’s Bill brought with intention to ‘allure’ women before upcoming elections, says Mayawati

September 20, 2023, 3:35 pm

As the Women’s Reservation Bill is debated in the Lok Sabha, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) head Mayawati claimed in a media briefing on Wednesday that the Bill is a “allurement” to women in preparation for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

She also asserted that the bill is not designed to give women reservations. “According to this bill, the reservation will not be provided to women in the country in the coming 15-16 years. After the passing of this bill, it wouldn’t be implemented immediately. First, a census of the country would be conducted and after this delimitation of seats would be done,” Mayawati said during a press briefing.

She added, “A census takes a lot of time…After this, only this bill would be implemented…It is clear that this bill was not brought with the intention of giving reservations to women. But to give an allurement to the women before the upcoming elections.”

Earlier on Tuesday, she confirmed her party’s and other parties’ support for the Women’s Reservation law, which was introduced in Parliament, while calling for a distinct quota for women from the OBC, SC, and ST sectors in the reservation in the law.

“Along with BSP, most of the parties will give their vote in the favour of Women’s Reservation Bill. We expect that after the discussion this bill will get passed this time as it has been pending for a long,” she said.

Parliament Special Session: It was Rajiv Gandhi’s dream Bill, says Sonia Gandhi

September 20, 2023, 11:55 am

Prior to her address in the Lok Sabha regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill, Sonia Gandhi, the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, remarked, ““It was Rajiv ji’s (Gandhi’s) dream (Bill).”

The 128th Amendment to the Constitution Bill of 2023 aims to introduce three new articles and one new clause.

The newly proposed Clause 239AA lays out various provisions concerning the reservation of seats for women. Specifically, it necessitates that one-third of the seats set aside for scheduled castes (SC) must also be allocated to women. Additionally, it requires that one-third of all seats filled through direct elections in various legislative bodies, including the Delhi legislative assembly, be reserved for women.

In the context of the recently introduced Article 330A, it expands the reservation for women in the Lok Sabha. It states that one-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha must also be earmarked for women. Furthermore, one-third of the total seats filled through direct elections to the Lok Sabha will be reserved for female candidates.

Article 332A, which is another recent addition, deals with the reservation of seats for women in every state Legislative Assembly. It mandates that one-third of the seats designated for SCs and STs in state Legislative Assemblies must also be reserved for women. Moreover, one-third of the total seats filled through direct elections to these Legislative Assemblies will be reserved for women.

INDIA alliance to meet ahead of discussion on Women Reservation Bill

September 20, 2023, 10:55 am

On the third day of the current special session in Parliament, where the Women’s Reservation Bill is being discussed in the Lok Sabha, the floor leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance will convene a meeting to formulate their strategy for the parliamentary proceedings.

This meeting will take place at the office of the Rajya Sabha Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, within the Parliament premises.

The ongoing special session of Parliament, which commenced on Monday, is scheduled to conclude on Friday. During this session, the Lok Sabha is slated to deliberate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, which was presented by the government for discussion today at 11 am when the House proceedings begin.

The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2023 aims to reserve 33 percent of seats in the Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies for women.

According to reliable sources, Sonia Gandhi, the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, is expected to be the primary spokesperson from her party during the debate on the Women’s Quota Bill in the Lok Sabha. This Bill received approval from the Union Cabinet on Monday.

Discussion will be done through the day, claims Arjun Ram Meghwal on Women Reservation Bill

September 20, 2023, 10:29 am

Prior to the Lok Sabha’s deliberation on the Women Reservation Bill today, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the bill’s discussion will span the entire day and is unrelated to political matters.

Outside the new Parliament building, Arjun Ram Meghwal said “Discussion on the Bill will be done through the day. It will begin at 11 AM and it has been scheduled to continue till 6 pm. This has nothing to do with politics.”

On September 19, in the inaugural session of the Lok Sabha at the newly constructed Parliament building, the Union Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, introduced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill. Arjun Ram Meghwal emphasized that once this bill is enacted, the representation of women in the Lok Sabha will rise to 181 seats.

Additionally, it was brought to attention by Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury that the freshly distributed copies of the Constitution on the opening day of the new Parliament building do not include the terms ‘socialist’ and ‘secular.’

Arjun Ram Meghwal said “When the Constitution was drafted, it was like this. An amendment was made later. This is the original copy. Our spokesperson has replied to the same. Such a big step, such a progressive law, a bill to increase women’s participation in development, still do they have any objection to it?”

The floor leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) are scheduled to convene a meeting at the office of Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha within the Parliament premises. The purpose of this meeting is to formulate a strategic plan for their actions on the parliamentary floor.

Today, in the Lok Sabha, at 11 am, discussions will commence on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, which was introduced by the Central government for deliberation. This discussion will take place once the House proceedings begin.

The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2023 proposes a significant change, aiming to allocate 33 percent of seats in the Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies for women.

Bit confused as to why it was necessary, says Shashi Tharoor on Parliament Special Session

September 18, 2023, 7:56 pm

Congress Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor stated that they were all perplexed as to why this special session was called, given that the laws that the administration has been discussing might have been introduced later.

Shashi Tharoor told the media “We were all a bit confused as to why it was necessary because in many ways, a lot of bills they have been talking about could have been introduced later. But it is now becoming clear, the government wanted to make a special moment out of shifting from one building to another. They have tried to do it in a special way. We can understand the objective there.”

Furthermore, on the last day of Parliamentary proceedings in the old building, Congress MP Tharoor stated that leaving an institution rich in history and memories is always an emotional experience.

“Well this building is full of memories as the PM also said, it is full of history. It will be a sad moment. Let’s hope that the new building has better facilities, new technology and more convenience for the members of the Parliament. But still, it is always an emotional moment to leave an institution which is so full of history and memories,” Shashi Tharoor added.

The Parliament’s five-day special session began at 11 a.m. on Monday. The special session is being held at the old Parliament building, and MPs will relocate to the new building on Tuesday, the second day of the session.

Earlier in the day, while speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that several crucial decisions will be made during this special session of Parliament. The Prime Minister urged MPs to commit to working to make India a developed country by 2047.

Building will never give results but discussion will, says KC Venugopal

September 18, 2023, 6:59 pm

On the first day of the special session of Parliament, Congress leader KC Venugopal stated that the new Parliament building is unimportant, but the debate within it is.

The last day of Parliamentary activities in the old building is today. Beginning tomorrow, proceedings will be held in the new Parliament building, which is adjacent to the old one.

Venugopal told the media that “The old building is very beautiful, what is the problem in this one? Buildings are not important but the discussion inside them is very important. Parliament is for strengthening democracy and raising the concerns of the poor people of the country. When you talk about building, it will never give results but the discussion will.”

The Congress leader went on to speak about the women’s reservation law, saying that if the government is sincere, it should pass it at the special session.

“We are totally for women reservation, if they (the government) have any sincerity they should pass women reservation bill in this session. our LoP has told this in Rajya sabha too,” Venugopal said.

Deepender Singh Hooda, a Congress lawmaker, also spoke on the final day of the old Parliament building, saying that he considers himself fortunate that his family has been a part of this 75-year journey.

“It is an emotional moment for all of us, I consider myself fortunate that our family also had a part in this journey of 75 years. My grandfather was released from the British prison and after release he had taken oath in this Parliament only, he was a Member of this Parliament till 1978. After that, my father was a member here and since the last 20 years, I got this opportunity. It is not easy to define this Parliament,” Deepender Singh Hooda told the reporters.

Amid Parliament special session PM Modi calls Union Cabinet meeting

September 18, 2023, 4:59 pm

According to insiders, a significant Union Cabinet meeting will take place on Monday at 6:30 p.m., during the present special session of Parliament. According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called a meeting of the Union Cabinet.

According to sources, Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi, and others met with Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah ahead of the cabinet meeting. The meeting will most likely take place in the Parliament Annexe building. The meeting’s agenda has yet to be published.

Key Highlights of Parliament Special Session Day One

September 18, 2023, 2:39 pm

As the five-day special session began today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the discussion on the parliamentary journey. The meeting is being held in the historic Parliament building.

However, on September 19, the second day of the session, the proceedings will be moved to the new facility. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi told floor leaders of political parties about the plan on the eve of the extraordinary session, which will end on September 22.

Only three days of the session will be dedicated to government business, the specifics of which are unknown. The government stated that eight bills, four of which were already mentioned, will be considered during the extraordinary session. The Centre had already faced a barrage of inquiries about why it is preserving “secrecy” about the agenda for the session. Several opposition leaders felt it demonstrated the Centre’s lack of faith in Parliament.

Here are the Highlights of Parliament’s Special Session

The Upper House continues to debate 75 years of parliamentary democracy.

On the last day of the parliament’s current session, members offered their views on how democracy works. Members specifically discussed the current state of democracy and secularism in the country.

“You can build mansions and structures but that would not strengthen democracy,” said CPI(M) John Brittas.

Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, said the historic Parliament building is rich with memories and history.

“It will be a sad moment. Let’s hope that the new building has better facilities, new technology and more convenience for the members of the Parliament… But still, it is always an emotional moment to leave an institution which is so full of history and memories…”

Speaking to media, the MP said “t is now becoming clear the government wanted to make a special moment out of shifting from one building to another. They have tried to do it in a special way. We can understand the objective there.”

Both India and Bharat make me happy and comfortable: Sudip Bandyopadhyay

“Before moving from old building to new, we need to understand the true meaning of our country India that is Bharat. We are happy and comfortable with both names.. we want to reiterate this,” says the Trinamool Congress MP.

He adds, “In a parliamentary democracy, the House should belong to the Opposition. Bills are being passed without debate or discussion. It is not a good precedence. Both sides are to be more objective in their approach and outlook.”

Mallikarjun Kharge wants women’s reservation to be examined alongside persistent unemployment and inflation.

He warned that if unemployment continues to rise, democracy could be jeopardized. Taking a jab at the Treasury, he stated that while the G20 was wonderful, something needed to be done on this front as well. He mentioned that the Lotus was obscuring the ‘0’ in G20, making it unclear whether it was “G2.”

Taking note of the remark, both Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that the G20 meeting should not be denigrated in this manner.

Brief Arguments ensued in Upper House

When Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge declared that members of the opposition are not allowed to speak in the house in general during the current session, there was verbal anarchy in the Upper House. Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar objected, remarking that Mr Kharge had targeted the chair.

Opposition leaders claimed that the chair was continuously interfering with the LoP’s speech today.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury questions ‘No Question Hour, Zero Hour’ move

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress questioned the administration on the nature of the special session, asking why the Question Hour and Zero Hour were eliminated from the session. He did, however, add that while Parliament would be relocated to a new edifice, the old will be remembered. As he finished his lecture, he said, “Old is gold.”

Parliament Special Session: Article 370, GST, One Rank One Pension, PM Modi remembers key bills

September 18, 2023, 2:11 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed “historic decisions” – referring to his government’s contentious initiatives on Article 370, the GST, and the ‘One Rank-One Pension’ laws – in his opening remarks on the first day of a special session that would see Parliament relocate to a new facility.

The Prime Minister recounted “bitter-sweet memories” associated with the old building, including the 2001 terror attack, in a lengthy speech that featured barbs at the opposition.

“The House will always say proudly that (the abrogation of) Article 370 became possible due to it… GST was also passed here… ‘One Rank-One Pension’ was witnessed (and) 10 per cent reservation for Economically Weaker Sections was successfully allowed for the first time without dispute,” he said.

“Bidding goodbye to this building is an emotional moment…many bitter-sweet memories associated with it. We had differences and disputes but we witnessed ‘parivaar bhaav’ (‘feeling of family’),” he continued as MPs from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party thumped their desks in agreement.

“There was a terror attack (on Parliament). This was not an attack on a building…. in a way, it was an attack on the ‘Mother of Democracy’… on our living soul. The country can never forget that incident,” he said as he paid tribute to security personnel who were killed in that attack.

The reference to India as the “Mother of Democracy” was a repeat of what was expressed earlier this month during the G20 conference in Delhi to G20 leaders and foreign diplomats.

The portrayal of India as such caused eyebrows at the time, with many pointing out that it was an accolade normally held for Greece; most historians think the concept (and even the name) of democracy originated around 500 BC in the ancient city-state of Athens, now the Greek capital.

In a nostalgic speech, the Prime Minister remembered his first memories of the old Parliament building.

Parliament Special Session: PM Modi recalls Nehru, Vajpayee, Indira in his speech

September 18, 2023, 1:54 pm

In discussing India’s 75-year parliamentary journey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s historic remarks.

The echo of Nehru’s ‘tryst with destiny’ speech to mark India’s liberation from colonial rule, according to Modi, will continue to inspire us.

“The echo of Pandit (Jawahlal) Nehru’s ‘at the stroke of midnight’ in this Parliament will continue to inspire us.

“And this is that very Parliament where Atal Ji said ‘sarkaren aayengi, jayengi; partiyan banegi, bigedgi; magar ye desh rahna chahiye’ (governments will come and go; parties will form and dissolvel; but the country should remain),” Prime Minister Modi said in Lok Sabha.

PM Modi’s speech also had a somber moment when he recalled three former prime ministers who died while in office.

“When this Parliament lost three serving PMs — Nehru ji, Shastri ji and Indira ji — they were given fitting tribute,” PM Modi said.

“From Nehru to Shastri to Vajpayee, this Parliament has seen several leaders presenting their vision of India. This session is short but based on the timing, it is very big,” PM told the media, without elaborating.

The Parliament is debating its 75-year journey, including accomplishments, experiences, memories, and lessons learned.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier stated that the Parliament session would witness “historic decisions.”

“This session of the Parliament is short but going by the time, it is huge. This is a session of historic decisions. A speciality of this session is that the journey of 75 years is starting from a new destination,” the prime minister said.

“Now, while taking forward the journey from a new place…we have to make the country a developed country by 2047. For this, all the decisions of the time to come will be taken in the new Parliament building,” he added.