Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE: 1 J&K Assembly seat to be reserved for PoK refugees, Amit Shah tells Lok Sabha

16:19 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Center wants zero terrorism in J&K: Amit Shah in Lok Sabha

During a discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that about 45,000 people had died in Jammu and Kashmir as a result of terrorism to date.

For three years, the Modi administration intends to achieve "zero terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir force." By 2026, it will be prosperous," Shah continued. 

16:13 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

15:58 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

1 seat in J&K Assembly to be reserved for refugees from PoK: Amit Shah 

During a discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that one seat in the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Assembly is to be reserved for those who have been displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

15:49 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Amit Shah bats for bills on Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament

During a discussion on the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah stated that one of the two proposals concerning Jammu and Kashmir aims to nominate two members of the Kashmiri Migrant community, including a woman, to the assembly.

15:39 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Congress has done 'greatest harm' to OBCs: Amit Shah alleges in Lok Sabha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah took a swipe at the Congress, the opposition party, saying that it has caused "greatest harm to Other Backward Classes," while emphasising that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working nonstop for the welfare of these groups.

15:36 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

'Had terrorism been tackled at beginning': Amit Shah targets UPA government in Lok Sabha

"Had terrorism been tackled at beginning without considering vote-bank politics, Kashmiri Pandits wouldn't have had to leave valley," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha, while speaking on the two Bills — the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill.

15:21 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Amit Shah briefs Lok Sabha on J&K reservation bill

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke about the flight of Kashmiri pandits who were forced out of the Valley in 1991, saying that "they lived as refugees in their own country."

With the passage of this measure, they regain their rights to employment, education, and reservation-based voting.

Praising the Modi administration for repealing Article 370, he claims that this Bill included a just delimitation process.

The Home minister is making a statement during the debate on the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

15:07 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

MoS Home Nityanand Rai highlights government initiatives to curb voluntary retirement in CAPF

The number of voluntary retirement cases in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifle (AR) vary from year to year and no trend in this regard has been observed. Reasons for voluntary retirement as indicated by forces are personal and domestic reasons including children/family issues, health issues of self or family members, social/family obligations and commitments, better career opportunities are some of the major reasons for voluntary retirement. The steps taken by the Government to reduce the number of personnel seeking voluntary retirement: MoS Home Nityanand Rai. 

14:58 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Non-BJP ruled States should not be at an economic disadvantage, says JMM MP Mahua Maji in Rajya Sabha

We can only think about improvement in fields like literature and art once fundamental requirements like food, clothing, and shelter are fulfilled, Maji said.

“How will a hungry person contribute to the country’s development?” she added.

She also raised questions about the Agniveer scheme and its impact on jeopardising financial security of poorer families.

14:53 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Have you followed Vajpayee’s Kashmiriyat, Jamhuriyat and Insaniyat”: INC MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

INC MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that it was shocking that former and current ministers were bringing in Nehru in the Sabha, and were casting aspersions on him.

He invoked Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words- “Kashmiriyat, Jamhuriyat and Insaniyat” and asks the treasury to reflect if they have followed it.

14:38 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

India's coal import drops 5% in Apr-Sep period to 125.21 million tonnes

Parliament was informed on Wednesday that the country's coal imports fell by 5% to 125.21 million tonnes (MT) during the April–September period of the current fiscal year.

In response to a question in the Lok Sabha, Pralhad Joshi, the minister of coal and power, stated that if commercial coal auctions had not been started, the country would have needed to import 150 million tonnes (MT) of coal annually at the compound annual growth rate (CAGR). However, during the April–September 2023–24 period, only 125.21 MT of coal were imported.

14:31 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Nominated BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani defends government’s policies during discussion on India’s economic situation

“The World Bank estimates have proved to be hopelessly wrong, and in the last two quarters, India’s growth rate has been very impressive, and way above the world average growth rate,” said Jethmalani.

In his statement on Tuesday, the MP disputed several claims made by Congress MP P. Chidambaram.

14:28 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar resigns as MP from Morena

Tomar was just elected from Dimani, Madhya Pradesh, to the State Assembly.

According to A.M. Jigeesh, sources said that Mr. Tomar will stay on as Agriculture Minister till further orders came from the BJP leadership.

14:26 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Almost all BJP MPs who won assembly polls tender resignations from Parliament

All BJP members of parliament have tendered their resignations, with the exception of Rajasthani MP Mahant Balaknath and Chhattisgarh MP Renuka, who emerged victorious in assembly elections.

14:04 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

TMC MP Mahua Moitra at Parliament

Visuals of TMC MP Mahua Moitra at Parliament. pic.twitter.com/29C6jqNk1w— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 6, 2023

13:51 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

When will migrant receive reservation benefit: SS MP Vinayak Raut

Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, a Shiv Sena MP, raises his hand to support the bills. He claims that Balasaheb Thackerey also advanced the idea of a single Constitution and set of laws.

He poses various queries, pointing out that no elections have been declared yet and expressing hope that the minister would address this in his response. Among them is when the migrants will obtain the representation stipulated in the Bill. In addition, he states that it is imperative to ascertain who now possesses the property in Jammu and Kashmir and restore it to the 42,000 people who own it.

13:37 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Kharge asks Centre to release Rs 18,171 crore for Karnataka drought relief

Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, requested on Wednesday that the central government pay out Rs 18,171 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Karnataka, which is suffering greatly from a severe drought.

The Congress president brought up the issue in the House during Zero Hour, stating that Karnataka is experiencing the worst drought in 123 years and that the anticipated loss to crops is more than Rs 35,162 crore.

He states that crops sustain damage ranging from 40 to 90 percent.

According to Kharge, the state administration has asked the NDRF for Rs 18,171 crore in order to assist the impacted individuals.

13:30 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Govt seeks nod from Lok Sabha for net additional spending of Rs 58,378 crore this fiscal

On Wednesday, the administration requested approval from the Lok Sabha to increase net spending by Rs 58,378 crore for the current fiscal year.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary presented the lower house of parliament with the first set of supplemental claims for funding for the 2023–24 fiscal year.

The increased funding requests total more than Rs 1.29 lakh crore in gross additional spending, which would be offset by savings of Rs 70,968 crore.

The plan, according to the paper submitted to the Lok Sabha, calls for a net cash outlay of Rs 58,378.21 crore.

One of the significant expenditures is Rs 13,351 crore for fertiliser subsidies.

13:29 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha takes up Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is brought before the Lok Sabha for discussion and eventual passage.

13:16 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

DMK MP demands team to be sent to Tamil Nadu

DMK MP TR Baalu in Lok Sabha calls upon the Centre to send to team to Tamil Nadu to assess flood damage due to the cyclone and consider declaring it a national calamity.

#WATCH | DMK MP TR Baalu in Lok Sabha calls upon the Centre to send to team to Tamil Nadu to assess flood damage due to the cyclone and consider declaring it a national calamity pic.twitter.com/pyCKYDCAyP— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2023

13:14 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Digital India Act unlikely to be in place before next Lok Sabha polls, says Rajeev Chandrasekhar

The Centre may not be able to put in place the Digital India Act, which aims to replace the over 23 years old IT Act 2000, before the next Lok Sabha polls, since there is not much time left for extensive consultation, minister of state for electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Wednesday.

Addressing the Global Technology Summit 2023, the minister, however, said that the rules for Digital Personal Data Protection Act will be out later this month for consultation and are expected to be notified by the end of December or early January.

Read More

13:06 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Zero Hour concludes, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment Bill) and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment Bill) taken up for discussion

As Zero Hour comes to an end, the Chair asks those who were permitted to raise issues under rule 377 to place their remarks on the House table within a certain amount of time.

The House then picks back up where it left off with its debate of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill.

13:03 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Amit Shah to speak in Lok Sabha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to speak on two key bills related to Jammu and Kashmir, in Lok Sabha today.

13:02 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Investigate Chikunguniya-like disease in Punjab: INC MP Gurjeet Singh Auijla

Gurjeet Singh Aujla, an INC MP from Amritsar, Punjab, spoke on the need for a procedure in his constituency to treat fevers resembling Chikunguniya.

He added that there are concerns that it could be a kind of Covid and that the fever and symptoms do not go away even if the Chikunguniya test is negative. He claimed that the State government has not given any notice in the past six months.

He asked that a committee be established by the government to investigate the prevalence of this illness.  

12:50 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Apply NRC, remove illegal Bangladeshi immigrants: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey requests that the NRC be implemented and that illegal immigrants from Bangladesh be deported, citing concerns for the Adivasi community in West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand. 

12:44 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

DMK MP Senthilkumar withdraws statement on north-side divide made in Lok Sabha yesterday

D.M.V. Senthilkumar, a DMK MP, says he would want to retract his comments if it unintentionally offended persons or groups within the public.

In addition, he apologised and asked for the comments to be removed from the record.

12:35 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

'Nehruvian Blunder' delayed integration of Jammu and Kashmir into India in 1947, says Union Minister Jitendra Singh

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday that the Congress did not implement the Indian Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir and that they are now teaching us, amid a chorus of demands from the opposition benches that the Centre restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and set a timeline for holding Assembly elections there.

12:34 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Rajya Sabha MP Vandana Chavan questions steps taken towards participation of women in gram panchayats

In response to the question, MoS Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil told the House that one of the six required gramme sabhas should be designated specifically for women.

12:32 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Declare Cyclone Michaung as a natural calamity: DMK MP T.R Baalu

DMK MP T.R Baalu raises the issue of suffering of people of Tamil Nadu due to cyclone Michaung and ensuing floods.

The particular area should be described as calamity area. The Government of India should send relief and assessment be done, he said.

12:30 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Priyanka Chaturvedi speaks on postponement of INDIA meet

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi speaks to the reporters about the postponement of the INDIA alliance meeting.

VIDEO | "All of us can see the situation in Tamil Nadu (due to Cyclone Michaung). We can't expect CM MK Stalin to attend the meeting in this situation. We will finalise a date (for meeting) later after consulting everyone," says Shiv Sena (UBT) MP @priyankac19 on INDIA alliance… pic.twitter.com/oiq7rJ01Xj— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 6, 2023

12:28 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Mahua Moitra speaks on tabling of Ethics Committee report

Outside the Parliament, TMC MP Mahua Moitra spoke on the tabling of the Ethics Committee report in the 'cash-for-query' case.

"When they have not tabled the report, then what can I say? Let them table the report first," she says.

VIDEO | Parliament Winter Session: "When they have not tabled the report, then what can I say? Let them table the report first," says TMC MP Mahua Moitra on tabling of Ethics Committee report in 'cash-for-query' case.#ParliamentWinterSession pic.twitter.com/qsHq6PREnV— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 6, 2023

12:27 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Chaos in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour

The House erupts with demands for an apology as Zero Hour matters are brought up members. T.R Baalu’s remarks are questioned.

12:09 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha resumes business, lays papers on the table

The Lok Sabha resumes proceedings at 12 p.m. The Chair announces that the Speaker has not admitted any notices to suspend the business of the House to hold discussions. The House proceeds with the laying of papers and reports on the table, as is usual practice. 

12:09 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Rajya Sabha takes up Question Hour

The House has also been informed that yesterday’s short-duration discussion on the country’s economic situation will continue today, and the members who wish to participate should put their names down through their party leaders by 1 p.m.

12:07 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena speaks on Gogamedi's murder

Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena commented on the murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, and said, "Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi had requested the state government for security several times, he was being threatened by hardcore criminals, still the government did not provide security to him and this is the result of that.”

12:03 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Sonia Gandhi responds to questions on her going to Hyderabad

"Probably yes," says Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi when asked if she plans to travel to Hyderabad, Telangana, tomorrow.

State Congress head Revanth Reddy will be sworn in as Telangana head Minister tomorrow in Hyderabad.

#WATCH | Delhi | "Probably yes," says Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi when asked if she will go to Hyderabad, Telangana tomorrow.

State Congress chief Revanth Reddy will be sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Telangana in Hyderabad tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/4hcb6kPbmK— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2023

11:50 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal speaks on I.N.D.I. Alliance

On differences amongst leaders over the INDIA alliance meeting, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal says, "When Kamal Nath had remarked Akhilesh Yadav, it had become clear that this alliance is just for photos but not in reality..."

#WATCH | On PM face of INDIA bloc, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says," There will be a discussion on this. There should indeed be a face...Uddhav Thackeray is a Hindutvawadi, nationalist face. A person who gets the approval of the INDIA alliance members can be the (PM) face. I… pic.twitter.com/NXVwOHUC4V— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2023

11:48 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

‘Should indeed be a face’: Sanjay Raut speaks about PM face to reporters

On PM face of INDIA bloc, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says," There will be a discussion on this. There should indeed be a face... Uddhav Thackeray is a Hindutvawadi, nationalist face. A person who gets the approval of the INDIA alliance members can be the (PM) face. I don't want to say anything outside which might create any rift in the alliance."

#WATCH | On PM face of INDIA bloc, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says," There will be a discussion on this. There should indeed be a face...Uddhav Thackeray is a Hindutvawadi, nationalist face. A person who gets the approval of the INDIA alliance members can be the (PM) face. I… pic.twitter.com/NXVwOHUC4V— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2023

11:46 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm

Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 pm amidst ruckus against DMK MP's 'cow urine' remark.

11:45 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Karti Chidambaram says his confidence in EVMs is 'absolute'

"...My confidence in the EVM is absolute," says Congress MP Karti Chidambaram.

"I have no doubts about the efficacy of the EVM. I know that many party colleagues might have a differing opinion. But I have been involved in the election since 1996, either as a candidate or as an agent for other candidates. My confidence in the EVM remains unchanged," he said. 

11:45 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

DMK MP speaks on Cyclone Michaung

DMK MP T Siva speaks to the media about the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister seeking interim relief as Cyclone Michaung wreaks havoc.

"The Chief Minister has written to the PM seeking early relief for the state. The damage is high and the situation has not come back to normal," he said. 

11:41 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Robust food distribution scheme, says Union Minister Piyush Goyal in Lok Sabha

Even one person does not die in this nation as a result of hunger, says Union Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking about the distribution of foodgrains to the underprivileged and responding to a question from MP Manickram Tagore.

Leader of the Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury queries his views, to which Goyal responds by asking whether it bothers him that impoverished people are getting foodgrains for free, and that his party is only delivering 5 kg of rice out of a promised 10 kg in Karnataka.

We have guaranteed that rations are available wherever people go; we have united the country via technology; do not separate the country, adds Goyal.

11:31 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi calls railway’s ‘dynamic pricing’ a way of looting travellers

In light of the recent series of railway mishaps, the MP also raises additional concerns about the industry, including passenger safety and security.

He also mentioned the August incident in which RPF constable Chetan Singh reportedly killed his superior, an Assistant Sub-Inspector, and three passengers near Palghar station on Mumbai's outskirts.

11:30 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

What is the pendency of complaints in consumer fora versus civil lawsuits: INC MP Manish Tewari

Congress MP Manish Tewari asked about pendency of complaints in the consumer courts. He questioned if any study had considered the difference in the pendency of complaints in consumer fora versus civil suits.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that this area had been neglected before 2014.

We have inherited a broken system, he said.

Now consumers can file complaints in 17 languages through a simple number (1915) and there is a 12-hour helpline in place, he outlines. We have a variety way to encourage consumers. We are making it certain that consumer’s voices are heard, Goyal concluded.

11:28 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJP MP Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti speaks on 'Gaumutra' remark

On the 'Gaumutra' statement, which has hence been expunged, made by DMK MP DNV Senthilkumar in Parliament yesterday, BJP MP Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti remarks, "They have forgotten that there was BJP govt in Karnataka. Most number of MPs in Karnataka are from BJP. We have 3 MPs from Telangana, 8 MLAs have been elected. They should not try to divide India. I hope Sonia Gandhi will give a clarification on this matter."

11:25 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Union minister Kailash Choudhary speaks on Gogamedi's murder

Outside the Parliament, Union Minister Kailash Choudhary speaks about the assassination of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, the national chief of Rajasthan's Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena.

"There is no place for goons in Rajasthan. Punishment should be given to those who indulge in criminal activities," he says.

11:24 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Ruckus in Lok Sabha over 'cow urine' remark

The DMK Lok Sabha member DNV Senthil's statement on 'gaumutra' caused a commotion in the Lok Sabha.

On Tuesday, Kumar sparked outrage by referring to the Hindi heartland as "gaumutra states," prompting immediate condemnation from the BJP and its ally Congress, whose leaders demanded an apology from him.

11:12 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJP leader Anurag Thakur slams opposition alliance for disrespecting the country, culture

While PM Modi is attempting to spread the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' around the world and running the government with the motto of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' the opposition has begun using foul language and blaming the EVMs for their losses in the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, said Union minister Anurag Thakur at a press conference.

11:08 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament

#WATCH | Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament for its winter session proceedings. pic.twitter.com/boMXxmOJWF— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2023

10:50 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Discussions in Rajya Sabha today

Today in Rajya Sabha, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Sumer Solanki and Biju Janata Dal MP Niranjan Bishi are expected to start a dicussion on the Study Visit Report of the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to Havelock Island, Port Blair, Mahabalipuram, and Mumbai from 24 August 2023, to 29 August 2023.