Parliament's Winter Session: Key Discussions and Protests on Air Pollution
Overview of the Fourth Day of Parliament's Winter Session
Today marked the fourth day of the winter session in Parliament, where both houses conducted regular business. However, the opposition raised significant noise regarding pollution issues, staging protests against air quality concerns. Additionally, they attempted to highlight the ongoing depreciation of the rupee as a critical issue. Several opposition members called for an extension of the deadline for Waqf registration in the Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, discussions centered around the safety of doctors, with demands for a national law to address this concern. The government clarified that there are no current proposals to increase the retirement age for judges.
Lok Sabha Proceedings
- On Thursday, Union Minister for Water Power, C.R. Patil, assured that complaints regarding the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' raised by MPs would be addressed. During the question hour, he emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to providing tap water to every household, stating that any discrepancies in this initiative would not be tolerated.
- The Congress party criticized the bill imposing a tax on pan masala, labeling it a return to 'Inspector Raj' and suggested it should be referred to a select committee. In contrast, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) praised the bill, asserting it would serve both health and national security interests. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman explained that the tax aims to generate additional resources for health and national security, with a portion of the revenue to be shared with states.
- Union Minister for Road Transport, Nitin Gadkari, announced that the current toll collection system would be phased out within a year, to be replaced by an electronic system ensuring seamless travel for highway users.
- BJP MP Arun Govil called for the installation of CCTV cameras in mosques and madrasas, arguing that these are significant public and community spaces where security is essential. He noted that CCTV cameras are already installed in various public places across the country, including temples, churches, gurdwaras, colleges, hospitals, and markets.
- Congress MP Manickam Tagore questioned the coaching system in the country, urging the government to thoroughly review the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). He argued that NEET has not promoted merit but has commercialized education by empowering private coaching institutes and weakening schools.
- A member of the Samajwadi Party raised concerns about the sale of counterfeit cough syrup in Uttar Pradesh, demanding a fair and thorough investigation. During zero hour, SP MP Priya Saroj highlighted that several innocent children died last month due to the consumption of a dangerous illegal drug, claiming that over 98 FIRs have been registered in connection with this case.
Rajya Sabha Proceedings
- On Thursday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha that Punjab has reported the highest number of human trafficking cases in the country. Responding to supplementary questions during question hour, he mentioned that the Punjab government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a fact-finding committee to investigate these cases.
- In the Rajya Sabha, Biju Janata Dal's Sulata Dev criticized the ruling BJP for its election slogan '400 Par', pointing out that the air quality index in Delhi has indeed crossed 400.
- Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan clarified the scope of Rule 267, stating that discussions can only occur on topics already included in the day's agenda, prohibiting discussions on unrelated subjects.
- Congress member Vivek Tankha expressed concern over the sharp decline of the Indian rupee against the US dollar, stating that the weakening currency has increased economic hardships for the common people.