Parliament Approves Amravati as Andhra Pradesh's Sole Capital
Legislative Developments in Parliament
On Thursday, Parliament granted approval to a bill recognizing Amravati as the only permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. The Rajya Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2026 through a voice vote following a brief discussion and a response from Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai. The Lok Sabha had already approved the bill the previous day. The government is making efforts to involve private companies in the Khelo India Mission to promote sports; however, there are no directives for job reservations for athletes in the private sector. During the question hour in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nikhil Khadse stated that the decision to hire athletes in private firms rests entirely with the companies.
Proceedings in the Lok Sabha
Congress MP Deepender Hooda criticized the government on Thursday regarding the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, claiming that after asserting the elimination of Naxalites, the government has jeopardized the future prospects of central forces through this legislation. Another Congress MP, Harish Chandra Meena, expressed concerns in the Lok Sabha about the hurried introduction of the bill concerning the service conditions and promotions of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) officers, demanding that it be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for thorough discussion.
Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, raised the issue of a woman being publicly harassed in Nalanda, Bihar, during the Lok Sabha session, urging for swift justice to ensure the perpetrators are punished promptly.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed displeasure over some members engaging in prolonged discussions during the session. He also instructed the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to ensure that relevant ministers are present when supplementary questions are posed, as the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Jitan Ram Manjhi, was absent when questions related to his department were raised.
Discussions in the Rajya Sabha
In the Rajya Sabha, Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman brought up the management of the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, demanding that its control be handed over to followers of Buddhism. He emphasized that the temple is of international significance and is recognized as the site where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan stated that individuals with autism should not only be accommodated but fully empowered as integral members of society, highlighting a shared national responsibility. The United Nations has designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.
As discussions about increasing Lok Sabha seats and implementing the Women's Reservation Bill continue, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the session would be adjourned and that there would be a reconvening soon for a 'very important' bill, following questions from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh regarding the government's plans.