Retiring MPs Seek ‘Dignity of Parliament’ As Modi Bids Them Adieu

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The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the 17th consecutive day amid protests. The no-confidence motion hasn’t yet been taken up yet. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha bid farewell to some of its retiring members including Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien and Sachin Tendulkar.

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 12:57 PM

Lower House Adjourned

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day. It will reconvene at 11 am on Thursday, 29 March.

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 12:57 PM

Leader of Oppn Welcomes Returning Members

The Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad welcomed the returning members of the Rajya Sabha. Taking a humourous dig at BJP MP Naresh Agrawal, Azad said, “Naresh Agarwal ji jaise ek suraj hai. Idhar nikle, udhar dubey, udhar dubey, idhar nikle. Mujhe yaqeen hai jis party mein vo gaye hain vo unki kshamta ka poora upyog karegi” (Naresh Agrawal ji is like the sun, he rises here, sets there, then rises somewhere else. I hope that the party he has joined will make full use of his capabilities).

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 12:57 PM

PM Modi Thanks Kurien and Other Retiring Members for Their Contribution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a farewell speech for the retiring members of the Upper House. He thanked Kurien for his role in the Rajya Sabha. “He always delivers everything with a smile.”

All those who are retiring from the house (Rajya Sabha) today have their own significance and each of them tried their best to contribute to the glorious future of this country. I wish you success in future.

PM Narendra Modi

He also said he wished that the retiring members could have been a part of historic upcoming bills like the Triple Talaq Bill.

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 12:57 PM

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien Bids Farewell

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu bid farewell to retiring members in the beginning of Wednesday’s session. He said, “A politician never retires, only his role changes.”

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien bid farewell to those member of the Rajya Sabha whose terms have ended. Kurien himself will be retiring as well. He addressed the issue of deterioration in parliamentary proceedings.

“The highest form of protest, then, was a walkout. Now instead of walking out of the House, they are walking in to the well. In those days, I remember how the Opposition used to grill ministers. Today, ministers are very happy, as the sloganeering ensures that nothing is achieved.”

He said that nobody in particular or no party in particular was to be blamed for the disruption in business, instead he urged all the members to walk together.

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 12:57 PM

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Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 12 pm

The Lower House of the Parliament has been adjourned till 12 pm on Wednesday.

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 11:19 AM

No Confidence Motion Likely to be Taken Up Today

The no-confidence motion hasn’t yet been taken up in the Lok Sabha against the government yet, as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has been adjourning the House daily amid noisy protests.

In a novel way to convey they have enough numbers to seek the no-confidence motion, members from the Congress, the Left and some other parties, on Tuesday, 27 March, displayed blue-coloured placards, each with a circled number along with the words 'For no-confidence'. The numbers ranged from 1 to at least 80.

At least 50 members need to support a no-confidence notice for the House to accept it and start a debate.

It is expected for the no-confidence motion to be taken up today, as Mahajan told the House on Tuesday, 27 March, that she received notices for no-confidence motion from members of various parties, adding that she was duty-bound to take them up.

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 11:19 AM

Impeachment Proceedings Against the CJI

The Parliament may also take up impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra. The Congress has begun the process of initiating impeachment proceedings against the CJI and is collecting signatures of MPs of various Opposition parties, leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said on Tuesday, 27 March.

However, there was no confirmation about the move from the Congress and its senior leaders avoided questions on the matter.

Confirming the development, NCP leader Majeed Memon said, “The Congress as the largest Opposition party has belatedly initiated the proceedings for impeachment of the Chief Justice of India”. Asked how many MPs have signed the notice so far, he said he was just a signatory to it and the question be posed to the Congress.

Another NCP parliamentarian DP Tripathi said, "I have signed it and others are also signing it and the process is going on." He said it is not just corruption, but "the charges are far more serious" and it emanates from the letter that four senior-most judges of the Supreme Court had earlier written stating that there was danger to the independence of judiciary.

Tripathi confirmed that among the signatories to the notice were members of NCP, CPI(M), CPI and others, and indicated that some Congress leaders too signed it.

Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 11:19 AM

Daily Adjournments in the Parliament

The Budget session of the Parliament has been getting adjourned everyday since it resumed on 5 March, due to various issues such as the demand of a special category status for Andhra Pradesh, setting up of Cauvery Management Board, the government’s initial denial of the death of 39 Indians in Mosul, etc.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Updated at:28th Mar, 2018 at 11:19 AM