News
Lok Sabha
The opposition presented two adjournment notices under Rule 267 over Rahul Gandhi being stopped on his way to Sambhal and issues of fishermen in Kanyakumari.
The Congress MPs held a protest on the Adani issue inside the Parliament House complex before the parliament session began.
Proceedings begin.
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari while replying to the question on the quality of freeways clarified that the contractors breaching the agreement will be addressed adamantly by the government.
Congress MP KC Venugopal pointed out the death of five medical students in his constituency. The Transport Minister replied, “We have already sanctioned Ernakulam bypass. The student’s accident happened on the national highway. It was a black spot.”
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) MP Sougata Ray pointed out that six airports have been built with a total cost of ₹5,260 crores and have been handed out to private companies, especially the Adani Group. She also highlighted the NITI Aayog's recommendations that not more than two airports should be leased to the same entity. The Minister said the government held transparent bidding and a committee was formed that included the NITI Aayog's chair.
Amid the heated debate, the Speaker moved the Zero Hour where the Sambhal issue was to be discussed after BJP MP Nishikanth Dubey stated the government's stance. The House spiralled into a huge ruckus while the Speaker adjourned the Lower House till lunch.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw started responding to the questions posed by the House's Members yesterday. Chair Jagdambika Pal urged the opposition to hear the Minister's response. Rising to his feet, BJP MP Nishikanth Dubey said he would want to continue his remarks.
The opposition starts sloganeering, hence the chair adjourns the House till 3 PM.
The House resumed at 3 PM but was adjourned for the day due to protests from the opposition, following the remarks by the BJP MP.
The House will resume at 11 AM on December 6.
The Congress party demanded an apology for Nishikanth Dubey's alleged remarks targeting Rahul Gandhi and seeking to link him to a US-based multi-billionaire, George Soros.
Rajya Sabha
Proceedings begin.
BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said that the influence of foreign institutions is undermining the BJP's rule in India. To support his argument, he also gave examples of the 'BBC Documentary' and the Hindenburg Research allegations on the Adani Group.
This caused huge unrest in the House, leading to the adjournment of the Upper House till noon.
Question hour begins.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh questioned the safety of nuclear power plants and requested for a separate body to govern the issue. The Minister replied that apart from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), international organisations, like the World Association of Nuclear Operators are operational in India.
The Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, stated that India has been provided aid for Palestine and the nation firmly believes in a two-state solution. He also replied to a comment on Indian defence exports to Israel being used in Gaza, saying there is no public information available that indicates Indian exports being used in the war. He also said, India is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and does not have a formal stance on the arrest warrant of Israel's leadership.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha questioned the conflict of interest of judges making biased verdicts to fetch government positions after retirement. The Law Minister refuted any such instances.
The House was adjourned for lunch.
The House resumed discussion on the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 (the new Indian Aircraft Bill).
AITC MP Sagarika Ghose noted the bill proposed nothing new but rather just a name change from English to Hindi, "this is Hindi imposition" she added. She also noted there is no provision in the bill to monitor the airfares and the Central government should follow the Bengal model.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu proposed for the bill name to be changed to “Aircraft Bill, 2024”. BJP MP responded by saying naming the name in Hindi is the correct step towards abolishment of the colonial mindset of the nation.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP also pointed out the gaps in the Bill, highlighting no regulatory mechanism for capping the airfares. CPI(M) MP A A Rahim claimed the government had no control over the aviation sector, it is only controlled by "Tata, Indigo, and Adani.” Several other members demanded airports in their respective districts.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu replied that Bill's text is in English, hence no one should have a problem, while denying any constitutional violation in naming the Bill.
He also added that the Ministry is looking to address the airfare issue. He said a major chunk of airfare goes towards fuel prices and the State government decides taxes on the fuel. He encouraged State governments to reduce the taxes while pointing out the governments of Delhi, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
He affirmed to the House that he is willing to discuss potential airport developments in any member's constituency.
The bill was adopted with a voice vote.