- Vijay Mallya’s resignation accepted in the Rajya Sabha.
- RS Ethics Committee had recommended immediate expulsion of Vijay Mallya.
- Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar addressed the RS.
- Subramanian Swamy claims that he has provided grounds for prosecution of UPA government members.
- BJP MP Kirit Somaiya raised the Emaar-MGF connection with the AgustaWestland case in RS.
- Home Minister Rajnath Singh denies ISIS threat to India.
- Home MoS Kiren Rijiju assures security in places which have real threat.
- BJP MP Tarun Vijay sought suspension of RS over rape and murder case of law student in Kerala.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day. Lok Sabha was also adjourned minutes after the Rajya Sabha.
The adjournment came after Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Gupta pointed out that due to the cuts in funds for MNREGA, this year, 58 percent wages will not reach the people provided on time.
He also pointed out that 30 percent of the funds provided through this year’s budget will also be utilised to pay the employment seekers from last year.
The issue, said Gupta, was raised on various government platforms.
Congress Walks Out of RS
The members of the Congress party walked out of the Rajya Sabha after Parrikar finished his address in the House.
Even as the Congress members walked out of the House, BJP member and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu questioned the request of the Supreme Court intervention in the CBI probe in AgustaWestland deal.
Vijay Mallya’s Resignation Accepted in RS
Deputy Speaker of Rajya Sabha PJ Kurien announced that the resignation letter by Vijay Mallya was accepted. Mallya will not be a member of the House with effect from 4 May 2016. The letter which was dated 3 May 2016 was received and accepted by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar alleged that the Enforcement Directorate and CBI were stopped from taking action on an FIR which was filed in the case close to a year before the current government took over.
Government of India (UPA) instead of taking action against the company [named in a case in Italy], adopted route of writing to External Affairs Ministry, Embassy and the court. It was only in January 2014 when the contract was terminated.Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in the Rajya Sabha
Parrikar also claimed that had the contract been terminated as soon as the corruption in the case was pointed out, the advance payment in the deal could have been recovered.
Congressman Ghulam Nabi Azad called Parrikar’s claims an insult to the concept of discussion in the House whereas Janata Dal (United) member Sharad Yadav countered Parrikar’s claims by asking him to take action on his claims against Congress.
