Parliament LIVE: Lok Sabha proceedings extend till midnight

The Lower House proceedings extended till mid-night to accommodate members' participation in the Budget discussion.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh would issue a statement regarding the present situation in Eastern Ladakh in Rajya Sabha tomorrow, according to the defence minister's office.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy said on Wednesday that the Centre had not imposed the lockdown to control the spread of Covid-19 at an appropriate time.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal hit out at PM Modi's address in the Rajya Sabha regarding the farmers' movement by saying that he spoke nothing about the protesters who lost their lives. "Where would the ministers have gone in Punjab when they couldn't go to the borders of Delhi in the last 75 days?," Badal added.

Amid the ongoing farmers agitation against the Centre's three new farm laws, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said on Wednesday that the government failed to constructively engage with the farmers. Prime Minister Modi had earlier said that the Centre respected the sentiments of the agitating farmers and talks were being held with them when the movement was limited to Punjab.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday targeted the Central government over this year's Union budget in the areas of health, agriculture, defence and fiscal stimulus.

Trinamool Congress MPs were seen going out of the Lok Sabha during Prime Minister Modi's address. This comes after leaders of the Congress party had walked out of the lower house.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that work had to be done towards making the country's farmers' self reliant, giving them freedom to sell their produce .

As leaders of the Congress party started walking out of the Lower House during PM Modi's address, the Prime Minister said that such a divided and confused party could neither help itself nor think about the country's welfare. "The Congress, which ruled this country for nearly six decades, is in such a state that its leaders in the Rajya Sabha go in one direction, and those in Lok Sabha go in a different direction," he added.

Speaking about the laws passed by the Centre against triple talaq and dowry, Prime Minister Modi said no one in the country had asked for these laws but they were introduced keeping in mind the country's progress.

Further sharpening his attack on opposition parties regarding the Centre's three new farm laws, PM Modi said that the current uproar in the House and the noise over these laws is a part of a well-though strategy.

"This House and this government respects the sentiments of the agitating farmers. This is why senior ministers have been holding talks with the farm leaders even when it was still limited to Punjab. We agree that if there is a flaw in the law, then it will be fixed. We are still waiting if they cite a specific point, and it is convincing, we will not hesitate to make changes," PM Modi said.

Hitting back at Congress party which has criticised the farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the party only made noise about the laws but never discussed its content. The Prime Minister added that if there were any flaws in the laws, there is nothing wrong in amending them but the farmers would have to come up with convincing points.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Centre's call of 'Vocal for Local' was being heard in every corner of the country. "People look for local. This sense of self-respect is working a lot for Aatmanirbhar Bharat," Modi added.

During his address in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the post Covid-19 world was turning out to be very different adding that India would have to emerge as a strong player.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the way India handled and helped itself and the world during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis was a turning point.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that President Ram Nath Kovind's address showcased the country's 'Sankalp Shakti'. He added that Kovind's words also boosted the spirit of confidence among Indian citizens.

Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh said on Wednesday that Kerala along with Maharashtra continued to remain critical coronavirus (Covid-19) hotspots and further urged the Centre to take this issue seriously. Suresh further alleged that Communist Party of India (Marxist)- led government led in Kerala didn't handle the pandemic properly

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tirath Singh Rawat said on Wednesday that Union home minister Amit Shah had provided all updates on the flash floods in Uttarakhand.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. In moments from now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be replying to the motion of thanks on the President's address in Lok Sabha.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh gave a Zero Hour Notice in the Rajya Sabha for tomorrow, raising the issue of provision of financial aid to the flash floods affected victims of Uttarakhand, reports ANI.

Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday that the Major Ports Authorities Bill, 2020 would encourage good competition among major and private ports adding it would also boost port land usage and amplify competition in port tariffs. The bill was passed through ballot votes with 84 in favour and 44 against it in the Rajya Sabha.

Regarding whether the Centre would issue instructions to all the states and Union Territories to investigate all cases of custodial death and encounter, the Union home ministry quoted the Constitution's seventh schedule which says that Police and Public Order are state subjects. The MHA added that it is for states and UTs to see that provisions of law are followed in letter and spirit.