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Parliament Winter Session: Ambedkar Controversy; Houses Adjourned Until 2 PM

December 19, 2024, 11:42 am

The Parliament Winter Session enters its penultimate day on Thursday, with the government set to introduce a motion for the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal. Amid the ongoing controversy over Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments on Dr. BR Ambedkar, Congress continues to demand an apology.

The session, which concludes on Friday, still has significant matters to address, including the government’s motion to establish a JPC to discuss bills on the mechanism for simultaneous elections. Prominent members from both the ruling and opposition parties are expected to be part of the panel, which is slated to present its report during the final week of the next year’s budget session. The Ambedkar remarks row remains a key point of contention, with Congress staging nationwide protests.

Parliament Winter Session: Om Birla Urges MPs to Refrain from Personal Remarks in House

December 12, 2024, 11:58 am

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday condemned the previous day’s incident in the House, highlighting the inappropriateness of personal remarks, especially those targeting individuals based on caste, society, or gender. He stressed that such comments undermine the dignity of the House and urged members to avoid making personal attacks in their speeches.

The Speaker also noted that Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee had apologized both in the House and in writing for his personal remark about Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s family and appearance, which had caused an uproar during Wednesday’s session.

Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, proceedings were adjourned until 2 p.m. after opposition members raised objections and demanded discussions on several notices, including one to impeach an Allahabad High Court judge over controversial remarks. The Chairman rejected the notice, while BJP members pressed the Congress to respond to allegations of ties between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and financier George Soros.

The government has listed three bills for final consideration and passing in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Earlier on Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha had also been disrupted by BJP leader JP Nadda’s demand for a discussion on the alleged Congress-Soros link.

Prior to the session, the Congress held a strategy meeting, and opposition parties protested outside Parliament, focusing on issues related to the Adani case.

Parliament Winter Session: Lok Sabha adjourned till 28 Nov

November 27, 2024, 12:59 pm

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Wednesday following a massive uproar over the opposition’s demand to discuss multiple issues, including the Adani indictment. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned for the day. Earlier in the session, the lower house had been suspended until 12:00 PM on the second day of the winter session. After Union Minister Jitendra Singh’s motion was passed, BJP MP Dilip Saikia, presiding over the session, announced that the house would reconvene on November 28 at 11:00 AM.

This comes after the opposition MPs gave notices to move an adjournment motion in both the lower and upper houses to discuss issues related to Manipur, the Adani indictment and the ongoing violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal.
Earlier, Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Manish Tewari moved for an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha before the commencement of the session today.
In a notice addressed to the Secretary-General Lok Sabha today, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, “I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house to discuss a definite matter of urgent importance.”
Congress MP Manish Tewari also gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha and demanded discussion on the “Impact on India as a business destination and the robustness of our regulatory and oversight processes, following two indictments in the United States against the Adani conglomerate.”
Congress MP Hibi Eden moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday demanding a discussion on the ‘deteriorating condition’ in Manipur. In his notice, Hibi Eden urged the government to “take accountability and implement immediate measures to restore peace and justice.”
In Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala also issued a notice on the same subject and said, “I hereby give notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for November 27, 2024. That this House suspends all scheduled business to discuss the serious revelations in a US court indictment alleging that the Adani Group engaged in bribery of state officials to secure power supply agreements through SECl tenders.”
The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20.

Parliament Winter Session : Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Adjourned Amid Chaos

November 25, 2024, 12:27 pm

The Winter Session of Parliament kicked off today, but proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were quickly disrupted and adjourned for the day following uproarious scenes. The government had earlier appealed to all political parties for smooth and constructive discussions during the session, which is scheduled to run for nearly a month.

Representatives from 30 political parties have submitted a range of issues for debate and consideration. Key matters on the agenda include legislative proposals and discussions on pressing national concerns.

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc parties held a crucial meeting at 10 a.m. at the Parliament House office of Congress President and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge. The meeting focused on building a cohesive strategy and presenting a united front for the session ahead.

With both sides gearing up for a contentious session, the coming days are expected to see heated debates and critical decisions.

Adani Bribery Allegation, Waqf Act & Manipur Voilence set to Spark Parliament Winter Session

November 25, 2024, 8:48 am

The winter session of Parliament starts today and will run until December 20, with several key bills and issues set to dominate discussions. Among the legislative agenda are the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, and others. Notably, the session is expected to see debates on the Waqf Act (Amendment) Bill and other topics like the Manipur violence, air pollution in North India, and bribery allegations against the Adani Group.

Legislative Focus Areas

The government plans to introduce and debate multiple bills, including:

Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill
Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Goa Assembly Constituencies Bill
Bills of Lading Bill
Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill
Railways (Amendment) Bill
Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill
Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill

Opposition’s Agenda

The INDIA bloc, representing the opposition parties, will finalize its strategy in a meeting at Parliament House before the session begins. Key points of focus include:

Adani bribery allegations: US prosecutors recently indicted Gautam Adani and others for alleged involvement in a $265 million bribery scheme. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as baseless.
Manipur violence: Continued unrest in the northeastern state.
North India air pollution: Persistent smog and its impact on public health.

Government Seeks Cooperation

At an all-party meeting on Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged political parties to cooperate for a smooth session. However, the final agenda will be determined by the business advisory committees of both Houses, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

With contentious issues on the table, the winter session is poised to be both eventful and critical in addressing legislative and public concerns.

Parliament Winter Session: Amid suspension row, 3 new Bills to replace criminal laws to be presented before RS today

December 21, 2023, 12:29 pm

The Parliament will meet again on Thursday for the 14th day of the current Winter Session, one day after the Opposition’s strength was further diminished with the suspension of two more Lok Sabha members for creating a commotion over their demand for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the security breach on December 13. The Upper House on Wednesday passed three bills that would replace the criminal laws from the colonial era. The Rajya Sabha is scheduled to discuss and approve these bills on Thursday. 97 opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha were suspended, so they were unable to participate in the proceedings when the draft laws were approved by voice vote.

Two more Opposition MPs — Thomas Chazhikadan of the Kerala Congress (Mani) and A M Ariff of the CPI(M) — were suspended from Lok Sabha for misconduct on Wednesday, taking the tally of ousted members to 143.
Of the members suspended, 97 belong to the Lower House and 46 to the Upper House.
After reintroducing the three Bills to replace the British-era criminal laws on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the draft legislations — the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita Bill, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita Bill and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill — were in consonance with the spirit of the Constitution.
Replying to the debate on three Bills on Wednesday, Home Minister Shah said their passage will be a big step towards the deliverance of speedy justice.
Referring to a popular line from a Bollywood movie, he said ‘Tareekh Pe Tareekh’ has been a bane of the criminal justice system.

Parliament Winter Session: Parliament to reconvene today after a day of disruptions and more suspensions

December 20, 2023, 12:03 pm

On Wednesday, both Houses will reconvene for business following an additional day of disruptions and suspensions that brought the total number of members suspended for the duration of the current Winter Session to 141. On the 17th day of the winter session of Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will move for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 in the Rajya Sabha when the session resumes. The Lok Sabha had already approved the Bill.

She will also move the Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023 in the Upper House on Wednesday for consideration and return to provide for the immediate effect for a limited period of provisions in Bills relating to the imposition or increase of duties of customs or excise. The Bill was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is also scheduled to move a motion in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday regarding election to the University of Delhi court. This will allow the House to elect a member from among its members to the Court of the University of Delhi, following the Chairman’s instructions. Additionally, MPs Tiruchi Siva, Birendra Prasad Baishya, and Sulata Deo will present (in Hindi and English) the 324th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry related to the Department on the “Promotion of Electric Vehicles in the Country” with reference to the Ministry of Heavy Industries.

BJP MP and Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti will make a statement regarding the status of implementation of recommendations contained in the 29th Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj on Demands for Grants 2023-24 pertaining to the Department of Rural Development.

Parliament Winter Session: Lok Sabha suspends five congress MPs till end of winter session

December 14, 2023, 3:15 pm

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion on Thursday to suspend five Congress members from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the winter session due to their “unruly behavior.” He introduced the motion after informing the House of the actions taken following the security breach that occurred yesterday, when two men leaped from the visitor’s gallery into the Lok Sabha chamber. The House adjourned earlier in the day, and the motion was made shortly after it reconvened at 2:00 PM.

Joshi moved the motion to suspend Congress MPs – TN Prathapan, Hibi Eden, S Jothimani, Ramya Haridas and Dean Kuriakose – for the remainder of the winter session, which will conclude on December 22.
BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab was on the chair when the motion was moved and adopted amid sloganeering by opposition members.
Joshi said that Speaker Om Birla has written to the Home Secretary for a high-level inquiry into yesterday’s incident and the probe has begun.
He cited instances from the past, including when papers were thrown from the visitors gallery, and such unfortunate incidents had occurred earlier too. He called upon opposition members not to “politicise” the issue.

Parliament Winter Session: Trinamool member Derek O’Brien suspended for ‘gross misconduct’

December 14, 2023, 1:22 pm

Derek O’ Brien member of the Rajya Sabha for the Trinamool Congress, has been suspended from the remainder of the winter session of parliament for his actions on Thursday morning, specifically for “gross misconduct” and “defying the Chair.” The winter session will continue through December 22. A motion to suspend the Trinamool member has been approved by the Upper House of Parliament. In response to the security breach incident, where two men leaped from the visitors’ gallery into the Lok Sabha and burst yellow smoke canisters, O’Brien had demanded a discussion. Soon after, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar named the Trinamool MP and requested that he leave the House.

In spite of the Chair’s warning, O’Brien and a few other opposition members persisted in their protest and asked that Union Home Minister Amit Shah appear in the House to answer for the security breach incident that occurred yesterday. While addressing the media outside of Parliament, Trinamool MP Dola Sen also called for the prosecution of BJP MP Pratap Simha, who she claimed had assisted the accused Manoranjan in obtaining a Parliament visitor pass.

“Why is the Ethics committee is quiet on this? Pratap Simha who is a BJP MP, why is he not being expelled. We seriously want to know if the security of parliamentarians is compromised then what will happen to the people of the county? Home minister did not even give statement on this. TMC needs a proper investigation” Dola Sen said.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha secretariat suspended eight security personnel on Thursday over security lapses that led to a major security breach in Parliament on Wednesday.

Lok Sabha Introduces Bill Proposing One-Third Women’s Quota in J-K Assembly

December 12, 2023, 2:39 pm

A significant move was made in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday with the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023. Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, introduced the bill in the House, aiming to bring about greater gender representation and participation of women in the legislative processes within the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.

The proposed bill aligns with the Parliament’s previous enactment of the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023, facilitating the reservation of one-third of the total seats for women in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and the Delhi assembly.

To echo these provisions in Jammu and Kashmir, the bill seeks to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. Its primary focus is to offer women enhanced representation and involvement in the decision-making procedures within the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.

During the bill’s introduction, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy expressed concerns, highlighting that elections for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly have not been scheduled yet. Roy questioned the urgency behind introducing the bill at this moment.

This legislative initiative is viewed as a significant step toward ensuring a more inclusive and representative political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, marking an effort to empower and engage women in the state’s governance and law-making processes.

Parliament winter session: Amit Shah to present 2 J-K Bills in Rajya Sabha today

December 11, 2023, 11:34 am

As Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be introducing the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha this afternoon, it is anticipated that there will be few significant business discussed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the eighth day of the Parliament’s Winter Session. The Lok Sabha had earlier approved the bill. Aside from that, the Standing Committee on Water Resources is expected to lay its reports, and Guman Singh Damor, the Minister of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation, will present the “Demands for Grants (2023–24).”

The House will also see Ministers making statements on the status of the implementation of various reports and several private members move for leave to introduce Bills.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sushil Kumar Modi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Wilson, and Telugu Desam Party MP Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar are to present a copy of each (in English and Hindi) of seven reports of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice.
These include the 134th Report on Action Taken on 103rd Report of the Committee on “Functioning of the Virtual Courts/Court Proceedings through Video Conferencing” pertaining to Department of Justice ; 135th Report on Action Taken on 126th Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2023-24) pertaining to Department of Personnel and Training ; 136th Report on Action Taken on 127th Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants ( 2023-24) pertaining to Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances; and Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare ; 137th Report on Action Taken on 128th Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2023-24) pertaining to Department of Justice; 138th Report on Action Taken on 129th Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2023-24) pertaining to Department of Legal Affairs ; 139th Report on Action Taken on 130th Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2023-24) pertaining to Legislative Department ; and 140th Report on “Appointment of Notaries”.

Congress Shifts INDIA Bloc Meeting to Later Date in December, Coordination Meet Set to Continue

December 5, 2023, 2:12 pm

The INDIA alliance, consisting of 28 opposition parties, including the Congress, has rescheduled its crucial party head meeting to the third week of December following reports of discord within the bloc. Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had called for a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, which received a lukewarm response from several front-line leaders.

stated that she was unaware of the scheduled meeting and would have attended if informed. Furthermore, key opposition leaders such as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren will be unable to attend for a variety of reasons.

On Wednesday, parliamentary leaders from the INDIA bloc will convene at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence for a coordination meeting. Gurdeep Singh Sappal, Kharge’s coordinator, confirmed the meeting and announced that the next meeting of Party Presidents and India Alliance Heads would be held in the third week of December to accommodate all members.

The agenda is expected to focus on crucial topics, notably seat-sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which are merely four months away. The meeting holds significance for Congress, particularly after losing key states in recent Assembly polls.

However, Congress might face challenges within the bloc, especially with the Samajwadi Party expressing discontent and accusing Congress of not fulfilling commitments during the assembly elections. The meeting’s success is crucial for Congress if it aims to present a formidable opposition against PM Narendra Modi and the BJP in the 2024 elections.

The India alliance aims to counter PM Modi’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and prevent its re-election in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Their previous meetings emphasized a united approach and collaborative contesting in the upcoming elections, aiming to adopt a spirit of cooperation for finalizing seat-sharing arrangements.

Parliament’s Winter Session to Encompass 21 Bills, Including Crucial Financial Items

December 2, 2023, 4:18 pm

The upcoming Winter Session of Parliament is poised to address a significant legislative agenda with 21 items on the docket, including two vital financial bills, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi disclosed after an all-party meeting held ahead of the session’s commencement.

Minister Joshi outlined, “We are introducing 19 bills along with two financial items, totaling 21 items for discussion. Key among these are bills related to central universities, constitutional orders, and several crucial amendments.”

The legislative list encompasses significant proposals such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, Repealing and Amending Bill, and the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, among others.

Scheduled to commence on December 4 and conclude on December 22, this session will witness 15 sittings over a span of 19 days. Joshi, speaking about the all-party meeting, highlighted the attendance of 30 leaders from 23 political parties, which resulted in a host of valuable suggestions.

Key bills, including amendments related to Jammu and Kashmir’s Scheduled Castes and Tribes Order, Jammu and Kashmir Reservation, and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation, will also feature in the session’s agenda.

Moreover, proposals such as the Post Office Bill, the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Bill, the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, and others are set to be discussed.

The financial business scheduled includes the discussion and voting on Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2023–24 and Excess Grants for 2020–21, alongside related Appropriation Bills. These proceedings reflect the significant legislative spectrum awaiting deliberation and action during the Winter Session.

All-party meeting held ahead of Winter Session of Parliament

December 2, 2023, 12:56 pm

With the upcoming Winter Session scheduled to begin on December 4, a crucial gathering of floor leaders from both houses of Parliament and different political factions occurred on Saturday. The session, presided over by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, was attended by a number of key leaders.

The Winter Session, which is scheduled to last until December 22, drew early attention as leaders convened at the Parliament Library building for deliberations, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, and Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, Pramod Tiwari, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji were among the opposition representatives, indicating broad participation across party lines.

The meeting, a day ahead of the much-awaited announcement of assembly election results in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana (scheduled for December 3), is expected to have repercussions on the parliamentary session. Various exit polls have speculated diverse outcomes for the contesting parties, heightening the session’s anticipation.

Expressing optimism, Mahua Maji of JMM stated, “We are hopeful that our government will be formed in many states.” Meanwhile, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari highlighted the unreliability of exit polls, emphasizing their reliance on feedback from grassroots workers and asserting the likelihood of forming majority governments in the aforementioned states and an alliance in Mizoram.

The session is poised to address crucial bills, including those aimed at replacing the IPC, CrPC, and the Evidence Act. Additionally, the Ethics Committee’s report on the ‘cash-for-query’ allegations involving Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra is slated for presentation on the inaugural day of the Winter Session in Lok Sabha.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar to officiate on Rajya Sabha’s Chair amid Winter session

December 7, 2022, 12:02 pm

The first day of the winter session of Parliament began on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar to officiate as Rajya Sabha Chair.

Jagdeep Dhankhar, the newly elected vice president, is serving as the Rajya Sabha chair for the first time. At the opening address in the Parliament, PM Modi said, “I congratulate the chairman on behalf of this house as well as the nation. You have reached this stage while going ahead in life amid struggles, it’s an inspiration for several people in the country. You are gracing this august post in the House.”
“Our Vice President is a Kisan Putra, and he studied at a Sainik school. Thus, he is closely associated with Jawans and Kisans,” he added.

Modi further stated, “This Parliament session is being held at a time when we are marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and when India has assumed the G-20 Presidency.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that receiving the G20 Presidency for India is a big opportunity on Wednesday, just prior to the opening of the Winter Session of Parliament.

Addressing media persons before the start of the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament, PM Modi said, “It’s the first day of Winter Session. This session is important because we met before August 15th. 75 years of independence were completed on August 15th, and we are going ahead in Azadi ka Amrit Kaal. We are meeting at a time when India has received the opportunity to preside over the G20.”
“The manner in which India has made a space in the global community, the manner in which expectations with India have risen, and the manner in which India is increasing its participation on the global platform, at a time like this, India receiving the G20 Presidency is a huge opportunity,” PM Modi said.
“This G20 Summit is not only a diplomatic event, but it is also an opportunity to showcase India’s capability to the world. Such a large country, the mother of democracy, with such diversity and capability-it’s an opportunity for the world to know India and for India to show its capability to the world,” he added.

An intergovernmental meeting of the world’s leading developed and emerging economies is known as the G20 or Group of 20. On December 1, India formally took over G20 presidency.

At the Bali summit last month, Indonesia transferred the G20 chairmanship to India in the presence of Prime Minister Modi.

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union make up this group.

On Wednesday, the Parliament’s winter session will get underway. There will be a total of 17 working days in the session.

The winter session of Parliament will have 16 new measures on the agenda of the BJP-led central government.

HARSIMRAT SLAMS CENTRE FOR SCRAPPING WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

December 16, 2020, 3:26 am

SAD’s Bathinda MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Tuesday condemned the Union government for scrapping the winter session of Parliament, stating that the government was running away from its responsibility to resolve the grievances of farmers by repealing the three farm laws. She demanded that a special one-day session be held at the earliest to repeal the three laws as per the wishes of the farming community.

She said, “the Centre knows that it is in the wrong. It knows it has legislated on agriculture which is a state subject and that farmers of all states have rejected the three acts it bulldozed through in the last session. It knows it cannot face the people on this issue and that it is why it has invented the excuse of Covid-19 to cancel the winter session of Parliament.”

Terming the move as a murder of democracy, Badal said that parliamentarians have been denied an opportunity to raise the voice of the farmers. “The farmers are suffering untold hardship in biting cold wave conditions and parliamentarians wanted to highlight this. They also wanted to put pressure on the government to repeal the three farm laws which have been rejected by the farmers. There is no reason to keep laws in force which the people don’t want,” she added. “Adequate safety precautions can be taken for a special one-day Parliament session to repeal the laws and the government should not make any excuses on this score,” asserted Badal

She said that the Congress should not adopt double standards. Badal said that while Punjab CM Amarinder Singh was toeing the Centre’s line and asking farmers to lift their dharna and a majority of Congress MPs were oblivious to the suffering of the farmers, four Congress MPs were indulging in a sit-in at Delhi to befool the farmers.