In New Year, LS, RS get down to business

Peace returned to Parliament on its first sitting in the New Year as the regular business was conducted without any obstructions or adjournments.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu acknowledged that he could complete all special mentions and zero hour statements in the first hour of the day. The Rajya Sabha witnessed most of disruptions since the Winter Session began on December 15. He went a step further to order the parliamentary affairs minister to ensure that all concerned ministers reply to the MPs after the session on the concerns expressed by them through these mentions and statements as it will enhance "productivity of the House."

Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agrawal raised the issue of doctors going on a day's strike strike across the country in protest of the government's move to replace the Indian Medical Association (IMA) with a new National Medical Commission. The Chairman, however, rejected his point of order after Health Minister JP Nadda said he had talks with the doctors on Monday and the talks are still continuing. He said the Bill for setting up the new commission was coming up for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday itself to provide more clarifications.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien also congratulated the House for passing the Bill for Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code by a voice vote in record two-and-a-half hours. The Bill that replaces an Ordinance was passed by the Lok Sabha last week. The Rajya Sabha also passed the NABARD Amendment Bill after a brief discussion. The Bills passed by the Lok Sabha included the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains amendment Bill.

After heated exchanges during zero hour in Lok Sabha with the Congress demanding an unconditional apology from BJP MP Nepal Singh for his reported comments that army jawans should expect death because of the profession they are in, the House transacted normal business. Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said the comments by the BJP MP reflected that the government was not serious about the lives of the armed forces personnel.

"The remarks by the BJP MP are not accpetable. He must tender an unconditional apology," Scindia said while raising the issue of the terror attack on a CRPF battalion in Pulwama on Sunday. Rebutting the Congress leader's allegations, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar accused the opposition of politicising the issue, asserting that government has high regards for the armed forces.

The House later passed a Bill to allow the government to take up infrastructure projects within prohibited areas around protected monuments. Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma thanked MPs for supporting the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017. "We are happy to say that in the last three years UNESCO has recognised six monuments (of India)," the minister said. The bar on new construction within prohibited areas of a protected monument was adversely affecting various public works and developmental projects of the central government, the bill's Statement of Objects and Reasons said.

Amendments have been proposed in the legislation to the 1958 Act that prohibits carrying out any public work or project or other constructions in any prohibited area around protected monuments.

A 'prohibited area' means land in the 100-metre radius around a protected monument. Currently, construction is not allowed in the prohibited areas except for repair and renovation works. Addressing to the concerns of Shashi Tharoor (Congress), he said the change which is being brought about was in the national interest. He said no individual or private entity should be benefited and this bill should be used only in the interest of the nation.

GOOD SHOW

• Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien also congratulated the House for passing the Bill for Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code by a voice vote in record two-and-a-half hours
   
• The Upper House also passed the  BARD Amendment Bill.