Winter Session 2023 highlights: Both houses adjourned, to resume tomorrow at 11 am

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been adjourned for the day and will resume tomorrow at 11 am.

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for the day and will resume at 11 am on Tuesday.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary meets newly elected Rajasthan BJP MLA Baba Balak Nath on the premises of Parliament in Delhi.

The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Post Office Bill, 2023 that seeks to repeal the 125-year-old Indian Post Office Act and consolidate and amend the law relating to post offices in the country.

According to the proposed legislation, "the central government may, by notification, empower any officer to intercept, open or detain any item in the interest of the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency or public safety, or upon the occurrence of any contravention of any of the provisions of any law for the time being in force".

Replying to the discussion for the consideration of the Bill in the Upper House of Parliament, Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained the provision for interception.

PTI

AAP leader Raghav Chadha on Monday expressed happiness over being allowed to attend the proceedings of Rajya Sabha after the House accepted the recommendation of the Privileges Committee that his suspension for more than three months is enough punishment for "violating the rules".

As regards the sentence, the committee finds the suspension suffered by him since 11th August 2023 from the house thus far as the sufficient sentence that will meet the ends of justice. The committee stands committed to upholding the sanctity of Parliamentary proceedings and safeguarding the integrity of the institution. The committee expresses hope that Raghav Chadha will reflect and introspect, RS Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar says in Parliament.

The Privileges Committee of Rajya Sabha on Monday held AAP MP Raghav Chadha guilty of presenting misleading facts to the media and was allowed to attend the House proceedings after his suspension was ended through a motion.

Chadha was also held guilty of adding names of members in the proposed select panel without their consent.

A motion to end his suspension was moved in the house by BJP member GVL Narasimha Rao, which was adopted by a voice vote, that said his suspension so far is "sufficient punishment" for him.

Lok Sabha has taken up The Advocates Bill, 2023 for discussion in Parliament.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha's suspension revoked by Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on the motion moved by BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao.

Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha begin after it was adjourned for an hour.

"We expect that TMC MP Mahua Moitra should be expelled (from Lok Sabha) today because she has played with the security of the nation. CM Mamata Banerjee is trying to take her side and trying to confuse the people," BJP leader in Bengal Agnimitra Paul said.

On the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee report on ‘cash-for-query’ case, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said she will speak when the report is tabled before the House.

"What can I say when it was not even tabled (before the Parliament)? Had they tabled it, I would have said something. I will speak when they table it," she said.

Alleging the TMC-led West Bengal government over the misappropriation of central funds, Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “.Over half a dozen ministers are in jail and they are scared that their leadership will also be sent to jail.”

“In the PM Poshan Yojana (Mid-day meal scheme) they (West Bengal Govt) have misappropriated ₹4000 crores and the Govt of India has given the inquiry to the CBI,” he added.

Following the conclusion of the Zero Hour, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm.

Raising issues over the deep fake controversy related to filmstars and public figures, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal requested the government to devise a stringent law to deal with the raising concern surrounding the ever-changing technological sector, including the dynamic artificial intelligence.

“The item of filing of the Ethics Committee report was skipped when they laid papers on the table... We have a number of very fundamental questions about this... In any procedure involving expulsion, there has to be the opportunity for cross-examination of witnesses for all sides to be heard... If an MP criticises the government on the grounds that have not been substantiated and on the basis of charges that would not stand up in any court of law, then we have real trouble with how the parliamentary system is working... I am hopeful that the government is rethinking it,” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said.

“Safety and security is the priority of our ministry. For security, our institute BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) keeps a keen watch on all airports and for safety DGCA issues CAR (Civil Aviation Rule) so that the safety of the passengers is kept in mind. Whenever any airline or airport is found guilty, a penalty is imposed on them,” Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in Rajya Sabha.

Congress Parliamentary Strategy Group meeting to be held today at 5 p.m. at Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's residence to chalk out the strategy for the winter session of Parliament.

On the Ethics Committee report on TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Congress leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “We will oppose that such an expulsion should not be done. We have written a letter and we have been saying that the issues of Parliament should be dealt with inside the Parliament.”

"A discussion in the House must take place because she (Mahua Moitra) was not allowed to complete her deposition because the chairman of committee asked all filthy question about her personal life. That's why we objected and the opposition members walked out," BSP MP Danish Ali said.

"The way they (BJP) have won is surprising, especially in MP and Chhattisgarh but I congratulate them. PM Modi himself was campaigning in these states as BJP had no CM face there. The results of Assembly elections do not convert into Lok Sabha elections. People vote on the issues of the country. INDIA alliance will sit and prepare the agenda and discuss seat sharing as well," Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said as she arrived in Parliament to attend the winter session.

BSP MP Danish Ali stages protest inside the Parliament premises, demanding action against BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri.

“Let the report be tabled. I don't know what is mentioned in the report...What I had to say, I said before the Ethics Committee...I will be able to make a comment only after the report is tabled. Report will be tabled after 12 pm...I don't know how was the report leaked, I think Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury leaked it,” BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said.

"This is the victory of the Prime Minister. People voted in his name. In 2024 election, BJP is winning at least 400 seats. Mission 400 paar," BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said after arriving at the Parliament for the Winter Session.