Government rejects opposition's resolution on Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza
A strident opposition led by the Congress and the Left parties on Friday reportedly stalled proceedings in Rajya Sabha during Question Hour, demanding immediate discussion on the killings of innocent women and children in Gaza. The BJP-led NDA government was placed in a tight spot over its reluctance to hold a discussion on the issue even after the motion was admitted by the presiding officer. The government finally agreed to discuss it today.
Government accused of diluting importance of water ministry in Lok Sabha by oppositionOpposition members in the Lok Sabha today accused the government of diluting the importance of the Water Resources Ministry in a drought year by its emphasis only on the river Ganga and its cleaning. They also faulted the Centre for not allocating any money for dam safety studies and expressed concern over the growing contamination of groundwater. Initiating a discussion on the demands for grants of the Water Resources Ministry, Congress member Gaurav Gogoi said no one will have any objection to the ambitious programme of cleaning the holy Ganga. But, the allocation of thousands of crores of rupees for cleaning Ganga without having any implementable roadmap would not lead anywhere, he said. The member took exception to the absence of Water Resources minister Uma Bharti in the House when the discussion was taken up. Read more
Discussion on Railway Budget begins in Rajya Sabha
Government rejects opposition's resolution on Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. "Indian stand on #Gaza hasnt changed," informs Sushma Swaraj. Opposition stages walkout in Rajya Sabha after demand for resolution on Gaza is not accepted.
Opposition parties condemn Gaza violence in Rajya SabhaOpposition parties today condemned the violence in Gaza and pressed for adoption of a resolution by the Rajya Sabha against it besides demanding suspension of all military purchases from Israel as the House took up a discussion over the matter ending a week-long deadlock. The House, which was paralysed over the issue last week, also saw demands from members for India raising its concern over the Israel attack on Gaza strip at the United Nations. Initiating a discussion on the 'Unprecedented spurt in violence in Gaza and West Bank area of Palestine causing death of scores of civilians', Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad slammed the government over the delay in discussing the issue questioning whether it has made any change in the country's foreign policy towards Palestine. Read more
Discussion resumes in Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha discusses Israel-Palestine conflict. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad says It was not our opposition's responsibility, but the government's to discuss this issue.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon following uproar by AIADMK
After ruckus in both Houses of Parliament, over former Supreme Court judge Justice Markandey Katju's allegations of corruption in judiciary during UPA rule, Rajya Sabha was adjourned for 10 minutes. The Rajya Sabha will have a short-duration discussion today on the violence in Gaza, where over 400 people have lost their lives in the Israel-Palestine conflict. Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari last week turned down government's request to drop the discussion on the violence in Gaza.
The Parliament Schedule for July 21 (Monday)
Lok Sabha1. Discussion and voting on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Water Resources for 2014-15 2. Discussion and Voting on the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Environment and Forests for 2014-15
Rajya Sabha1. Discussion on the spurt in violence in Gaza and West Bank area of Palestine2. The Appropriation (Railways) No 2 Bill, 2014 3. The Appropriation (Railways) No 3 Bill, 2014