Both the Houses are set to have a general discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23.Here are the latest updates:Rajya Sabha | 11.40 a.m.
Rural economy is under stress
Dr. Amar Patnaik, BJP, says the budget devotes about eight paragraphs on climate action and climate change and commends the Minister for the same. He says that it is important to devote a part of the budget to combat climate change and says that it is the poor who are disproportionately affected. Mr. Patnaik quotes the 15th Finance Commission report and notes that investment in primary health sector requires a definitive push.He demands for the implementation of Swaminathan Committee. He says that rural economy is under stress.Rajya Sabha | 11.35 a.m
“What is more important to women, a diamond or a sanitary napkin?”
Mohamed Abdulla, DMK, is continuing his speech. Enforcing 30% tax on cryptocurrency without an Act has never been heard of, Mr. Abdulla says. “Does an illegal activity become legal if one pays tax?”, he asks. “Is a diamond more important to a girl or a sanitary napkin?”, he asks and condemns the taxation of sanitary napkins at 12%. The budget is not focussed on unemployment and agricultural crisis, he says. Quoting Oxfam report he notes that the number of Indian billionaires grew from 102 to 142. He says the poor and middle class have been hit and demands that the government tax corporate establishments suitably.Rajya Sabha | 11.32 a.m.
Discussion on Union Budget 2022-23 starts
Rajya Sabha | 11.30 a.m.Questions concerning the use of drugs are being taken up.Rajya Sabha | 11.23 a.m.Questions concerning moral education in schools are being entertained in the House.Rajya Sabha | 11.16 a.m.Binoy Viswam talks about the roots of left wing ideology. Deputy Chairman says it won’t go on record. Mr. Rai says “we don’t use the term urban naxal, be it rural area or urban area, when it comes to LWE, be it a city or any other place we take strict action accordingly.”Rajya Sabha | 10.59 a.m.
Maoist ideology in India inspired by international groups: MoS Home Nityanand Rai
Rakesh Sinha, BJP, Nominated, says some sitting in universities and educational institutions are propagating urban naxals ideology and adds that it is happening under the garb of media too. MoS Home Nityanand Rai says in India, Maoist ideology inspired by international groups. If some action is taken, then some international groups come forward to help them. Left wing Extremism is a dangerous ideology, those who raise Anti- India slogans can never be part Of Indian culture that is constructive, PM Modi is the messiah of the poor, the LWE ideology under wane under his leadership. Efforts taken to arrest the urban naxal ideology. Left Wing Extremists want to bring dictatorship at the point of gun. – Vijaita SinghRajya Sabha | 10.47 a.m.Questions concerning Highway construction are being entertained. BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar says no work done on road from Ghazipur to Hajipur, though work was sanctioned in 2016, big potholes. Minister Gen. (Retd.) V.K Singh says four landing of road under process, DPR has been finalised. – Vijaita SinghRajya Sabha | 10.33 a.m.
Question Hour begins
Question Hour begins in Rajya Sabha and questions concerning education of girls are being entertained.Rajya Sabha | 10.29 a.m.
On arrested fishermen
Shaktisinh Gohil, INC, says “yesterday night Pakistan Marine confiscated 10 boats and arrested 60 fishermen, 27 in the past few days , 643 Gujarat fishermen in Pakistani jails. Government should press for their release.” – Vijaita SinghRajya Sabha | 10.23 a.m.
On increasing cost of education
V. Sivadasan, CPI(M), Kerala, talks about the increasing cost of education for students during the pandemic and lists the fellowships whose grants have been slashed. He notes that scholarship for SCs by UGC have been cut down drastically from more than 9,500 in 2016 to 3986 in 2020-21. The post doctoral fellowships have come down from 553 to 332, he says. – Vijaita SinghRajya Sabha | 10.20 a.m.
On Retirement age for judges and the naming of Odisha High Court
Prasanna Acharya, BJD, Odisha, asks that the name of Odisha High Court be changed to High Court of Odisha and P. Wilson, DMK, Tamil Nadu suggests that the age of retirement for judges be increased from 62 to 65. – Vijaita SinghRajya Sabha | 10.14 a.m.
On forest cover and ‘Clean Ganga’ project
Vandana Chavan, NCP, Maharashtra, talks about how coffee, palm trees do not constitute as forest cover and Kumar Ketkar, INC, Karnataka, asks the status of the Clean Ganga project and notes that that about 20,000 – 30,000 crores has been alloted to the project. – Vijaita SinghRajya Sabha | 10.09 a.m.
‘We can raise an Afghan battalion and deploy them in Kashmir’
A.D. Singh, RJD, Bihar, says “hundreds of students stranded in Afghanistan are being denied visa. When we know Afghanistan is pro-India we can easily raise a battalion of Afghans like the Gorkhas and deploy them in Kashmir to give a befitting reply to Pakistan.”Rajya Sabha | 10.04 a.m.
Zero Hour begins
Zero Hour begins in Rajya Sabha.Rajya Sabha | 10.00 a.m.
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin
Rajya Sabha proceedings begin. Papers are being laid on the table.Rajya Sabha
List of Business in Rajya Sabha (10.00 a.m.)
1. Papers to be laid on the table.2. Question Hour3. General Discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23 Lok Sabha
List of Business in Lok Sabha (4.00 p.m.)
1. Question Hour2. Papers to be laid on the table.3. General Discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23
Day 7 recap
The Rajya Sabha proceedings were marked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech as a response to the Motion of Thanks to the President. The House also witnessed its first day of general discussion on the Union Budget 2022-23, with P. Chidambaram and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda taking part in the same.The Lok Sabha continued the general discussion on the Union Budget. The House also discussed matters of urgent importance after the Question Hour.