Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE: Lok Sabha debates on re-introduced Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2023

12:17 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Question Hour concludes in the Lok Sabha

Question Hour concluded in the Lok Sabha. Speaker Om Birla announced that no adjournment motions have been granted.

12:14 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw raises concern about duplicity in questions asked

While response to MP Ritesh Pandey, Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw accused Ritesh Pandey of posing a question that was nearly identical to those posed by Congress MPs K. Muraleedharan, Vincent H. Pala, Digvijay Singh, and Priyanka Chaturvedi in their respective houses.

Pandey stated that members trade questions among themselves since established protocols state that the more queries that are similar across different alleyways, the more likely it would be brought up for debate.

11:57 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha debates on re-introduced Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2023

The Central Government has reintroduced three measures to reform India's criminal laws, notably the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill 2023 (Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2023).

11:53 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Dharmendra Pradhan likely to move Central Universities Bill, 2023

Today, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is set to table the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha for debate and passage.

The legislation, which seeks to amend the Central Universities Act of 2009, was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha.

11:52 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

MP Gaurav Gogoi asks govt about how it would ensure net neutrality if telecos charge network usage fee

A heated debate erupted between Kaliabor MP Gaurav Gogoi and Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw when the former expounded on his concerns, claiming that two large telecom corporations had the majority of the market share. 

In response, Vaishnaw stated that net neutrality was acknowledged as a concept in 2017. Since then, new telecom licences have incorporated this notion within their terms and conditions.

11:42 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Ambedkar Nagar MP Ritesh Pandey asks govt about the utilisation of the Universal Services Obligation Fund

In response, Union Telecom Minister Rajnath Singh informed the House that the amount was used by BharatNET to extend optical fibre network to 2 lakh panchayats across the country. It was also used to give 4G connection in previously disconnected locations.

Mr Vaishnaw claimed that the government had sanctioned 4G towers for 40,000 villages while enumerating efforts done by the government to provide connectivity.

11:41 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Members ask government about Net Neutrality

A member of parliament from Ambedkar Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) inquired about the government's plans to preserve net neutrality.

In response, Union Telecom Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw remarked that the method is not new and has been in place for some time. He informed the House that the ministry adheres to the framework approved in 2018.

It establishes licencing terms to guarantee that no provider participates in any discriminatory activities involving the use of internet-based services.

11:35 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJP MP S Selvaganabathy requests setting up a national council for improvement of primary education

S Selvaganabathy, a BJP MP, calls for the formation of a national council to strengthen basic education. The MP also calls on the government to take steps to minimise school dropouts, improve basic infrastructure, and provide kids with regular medical exams.

11:35 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

BJP MP S Selvaganabathy requests setting up a national council for improvement of primary education

S Selvaganabathy, a BJP MP, calls for the formation of a national council to strengthen basic education. The MP also calls on the government to take steps to minimise school dropouts, improve basic infrastructure, and provide kids with regular medical exams.

11:25 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

INDIA alliance to oppose Chief Election Commissioner Bill, says Congress's Manickam Tagore

It is very unfortunate. INDIA alliance as well as Congress party has been opposing this. We will oppose it in the Lok Sabha too. We are very clear that the independence of Election Commission must be maintained...It is very disturbing for the democratic processes in India. The Election Commission of India is under attack: Manickam Tagore

#WATCH | On Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill 2023 passed in the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore says, "It is very unfortunate. INDIA alliance as well as Congress party has been… pic.twitter.com/yR9myTVBGf— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023

11:20 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Lok Sabha members pay tribute to martyrs on 20^th anniversary of the terrorist attack in parliament

Members observe a minute of silence in remembrance of martyrs and personnel on the 20th anniversary of the attack in the parliament complex. Speaker Om Birla said the opportunity must be utilised to strengthen their resolve in fighting against terrorism. 

11:20 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar remembers the soldiers who were killed in the 2001 attack

“Their sacrifice will be remembered as we reiterate our commitment to wipe out terrorism,” Mr. Dhankhar says.

Rajya Sabha MPs observe silence as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the attack.

11:12 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah speaks to media

Ahead of the Parliament session, National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah spoke to the media and said, "In 75 years, Union Territories have become states, but states have never become Union Territories." 

#WATCH | Delhi: National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah says, "...In 75 years, Union Territories have become states but states have never become Union Territories. Why is Jammu and Kashmir a UT then? Why statehood is not being reinstated?..." pic.twitter.com/DroI6hOJlq— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023

11:00 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Here are the highlights of key bills and statements in Lok Sabha

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will seek for leave to present a Bill to modify the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, in the Lok Sabha.
• Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, will introduce the Post Office Bill, 2023, to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Post Office in India and to provide for matters connected with or incidental thereto, as passed by Rajya Sabha.
• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will make remarks about the Ministry of Earth Sciences' progress in adopting recommendations from various studies.
• Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister, will make a statement on the status of implementation of the recommendations in the 384th Report of the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests, and Climate Change on Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations and observations in the 377th Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2023-2024) pertaining to the Department of Space.
• Union Minister Raosaheb Dadarao Danve will deliver a remark on the progress of the recommendations included in the 16th Report of the Standing Committee on Railways on "Performance of Rail Land Development Authority" applicable to the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board).
• Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu of the YSR Congress Party will table a report on the 357th Report on the government's action in response to the recommendations and observations in the 351st and 358th reports on "Demands for Grants 2023-24 of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports" and "Research-based Education and Anusandhan Scenario in Sciences and Related Fields."
• BJP MP Pralhad Joshi and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will introduce a motion stating, "That this House do agree with the Forty-sixth Report of the Business Advisory Committee presented to the House on December 12th, 2023."
• Congress MP Manish Tewari has tabled an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha to review the plight of Indian Navy personnel in Qatar and the actions being taken to return them to India.

10:57 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Education Minister to move Central Universities Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister, will introduce the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha today for discussion and passage.

The bill amends the Central Universities Act of 2009. The Bill was already approved by the Lok Sabha.

10:43 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

PM Modi, Amit Shah, others pay tributes to fallen jawans on 22 yrs of Parliament attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other top political leaders and ministers of the country on Wednesday reached the old Parliament building and paid their tributes to the fallen Jawans on the 22 years of the Parliament Attack.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP national president JP Nadda and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also paid their tributes to the fallen Jawans.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with the family members of the Jawans who sacrificed their lives in the Parliament attack on December 13, 2001.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also paid the floral tributes.

10:32 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Congress MP Manickam Tagore gives adjournment motion in Lok Sabha

Manickam Tagore, a Congress MP, moved an adjournment resolution in Lok Sabha to highlight the Central Government's unusual purposeful delay in commencing census excise and to ask the Government to initiate procedures for the census process without further delay.

10:30 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the situation of Navy personnel in Qatar

Winter Session of Parliament | Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the situation of Navy personnel in Qatar and the steps taken to bring them back to India. pic.twitter.com/T2Tbvoxtz3— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023

10:23 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Union Education Minister to move Central Universities Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha

The 10th day of the Winter Session of Parliament is anticipated to witness considerable work in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introducing the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha for discussion and passage today.

The bill proposes to eliminate some laws and change another. The Lok Sabha has previously approved the measure.

Dharmendra Pradhan, another Union Minister, will introduce the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha today for discussion and passage.

The bill amends the Central Universities Act of 2009. The Bill was already approved by the Lok Sabha.

09:55 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Nation will forever be indebted to security personnel: Prez Murmu on 2001 Parliament attack

President Droupadi Murmu said Wednesday that the nation would be forever grateful to the courageous security officials who gave their lives in the 2001 terror assault on Parliament, and he urged everyone to renew their commitment to eradicating terrorism.

On December 13, 2001, terrorists from Pakistan's Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed groups attacked the Parliament complex, killing nine people. Security personnel shot and killed all five terrorists.

On this day, 22 years ago, the nefarious plan of terrorists to eliminate the top line of political leadership of the country and damage our Temple of Democracy was foiled by the brave security personnel, including the nine who laid down their lives for the motherland. The nation…— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 13, 2023

09:53 (IST)

Parliament Winter Session 2023 LIVE

Govt replaces 'mental illness' with 'unsound mind' in 3 criminal law bills

On the suggestion of a parliamentary panel, the government has substituted the phrase "unsound mind" for "mental illness" in the redrafted criminal code legislation that seek to replace the British-era Indian Penal Code, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, together with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam bills, was tabled in the Lok Sabha for the first time on August 11.

The proposed legislation utilised the word ‘mental illness’ with meaning granted to it in clause (a) of section 2 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.