The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 that seeks to link electoral rolls to Aadhaar number has been passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday, amidst continued protests from Opposition members.
The Bill allows electoral registration officers to ask for Aadhaar numbers of applicants wanting to register as voters to establish the identity of the applicant. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, however, clarified that linking of Aadhar to Electoral Photo Identity Card is voluntary.
It also seeks to allow the officers to ask for the number from “persons already included in the electoral roll for the purposes of authentication of entries in electoral roll, and to identify registration of name of the same person in the electoral roll of more than one constituency or more than once in the same constituency”.
Here are the latest updates :
Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day
Rajya Sabha proceedings will now resume at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 21,
Rajya Sabha passes NDPS (Amendment) Bill, 2021
The Upper House passed The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to replace the ordinance on the same.
Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman is now replying on the Bill.
AAP member Sushil Kumar Gupta says while I support The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021, I want to ask the Government if it is going to move a bill to curb the intoxication by power.
Several Opposition members, including those of the Congress and the RJD, walkout of the House after the Chair disallows them to speak on their demand of seeking sacking of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni, whose son is an accused in the Lakhimpur Kheri murder case.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 5 p.m.
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned until 5.00 p.m. amid protests by Opposition MPs demanding sacking of Union Minister Ajay Mishra Teni.
As TMC and DMK MPs try to raise the issue of suspension of 12 MPs as they get their turn to speak on the Bill. Chair does not allow their statements to go on record, urging the MPs to "speak on the topic".
BJD MP Prashnata Nanda speaks on the Bill, as Opposition members continue to protest.
Nominated BJP MP Suresh Gopi speaks in favour of the Bill, as Opposition members continue protests and sloganeering. "It is critical to discuss the illicit and licit use of drugs," the BJP MP says.
The BJP MP objects to Opposition members' continued sloganeering, saying, "I'm speaking about the youth, the future of the country."
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moves the Bill to amend 'The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021' in the Rajys Sabha.
Congress MP Digvijaya Singh asks the Government "how is discussion possible on the Bill when 12 MPs are suspended and sitting outside?" "A culprit minister remains in the House while honest Parliamentarians are made to sit outside," Opposition members point out, talking about the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
Govt. keeping an eye on Omicron: Health Minister
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya says the Government is keeping an eye on the Omicron variant of Coronavirus. Oxygen capacity has increased in the country, the Health Minister informs the Upper House.
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju says the Bill is in the interest of the voter and the country, as he appeals to the House to pass the Bill unanimously. Law Minister Kiren Rijiju clarifies that linking of Aadhar to Electoral Photo Identity Card is voluntary.
Lok Sabha passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill amid strong Opposition protests. As the Bill is passed, the Lower House is adjourned for the day.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya speaks in the Upper House on Covid crisis, as Opposition members continue to protest and raise slogans.
Rajya Sabha resumes
Rajya Sabha resumes amidst continued protests from the Opposition. BJP MP Syed Zafar Islam accuses the Opposition of "not letting the House function".
"What is the hurry," asks Opposition on the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Congress, TMC, and other political parties are against this Bill because of their vote-bank politics, alleges BJP MP.
Kalyan Banerjee of TMC says "the current Law Minister is killing democracy". "What is the hurry," Opposition leaders from various parties ask. Shiv Sena MP calls for discussion on the Bill, as Opposition MPs continue to raise slogans.
Several Opposition MPs raise concern saying "the Bill is being bulldozed" in the Parliament. "This is not the proper procedure to pass this law," a BJD MP says. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi too opposes the Bill. "By bringing this Bill and making it a law, you're interfering with the Election Commission of India," Mr. Owaisi says.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks "what is the need for this Bill," adding that the Opposition MPs have requested the Government to forward it to a Parliamentary Committee.
Mr. Rijiju responds saying "the Bill has come through a Parliamentary Committee".
Lok Sabha resumes amidst continued sloganeering
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju speaks on the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lower House. Election reform is needed at the earliest, the Law Minister says.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 2.45 p.m.
With continued sloganeering from the Opposition MPs, who were also seen raising slogans from the Well of the House.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam speaking in the Lower House amidst sloganeering from Opposition MPs. Banks recovered about ₹13,109 crore from asset sale of defaulters, Ms. Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha as Opposition MPs continue to raise slogans in the house.
Supplementary Demands for Grants passed amidst Opposition protests.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3 p.m.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3 p.m. as Opposition continued to protest. House was discussing Omicron variant of COVID-19 .
Minister Rijiju introduces the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju introduces the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha is adjourned till 2:00 p.m.
Rijiju moves to introduce the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021; Opposition MPs oppose
Kiren Rijiju moves to introduce the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, INC (Berhampore) opposes the introduction and notes that this violates the Right to Privacy and says that he wants that the Bill be referred to the Standing Committee. He notes that the government cannot bulldoze this Bill without a Data Protection Bill. Manish Tewari, INC (Anandpur Sahib) and Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM (Hyderabad) oppose the introduction of the Bill. Mr. Owaisi demands for division but the Chair refuses to allow. Mr. Tewari also notes that the Aadhar Act does not allow Aadhar and Voter ID linking and notes that Aadhar can be used only for welfare schemes. Saugata Roy, AITC (Dum Dum) opposes the introduction of the Bill and notes that the Central government is interfering with Election Commission. Ritesh Pandey, BSP (Ambedkar Nagar) opposes the introduction and notes that this is in violation of the Puttuswami judgement. N.K. Premachandran, RSP (Kollum) also rises to opposes the introduction. Shahi Tharoor, INC (Thiruvananthapuram) rises to note that Aadhar is a proof of residence and not citizenship and opposes the introduction of the Bill.
Lok Sabha resumes
The Lower House resumes, papers are being laid on the table.
Lok Sabha is adjourned till 12:00 p.m.
Speaker Om Birla requests the protesting MPs to return to their seats and maintain decorum in the House. He reminds that they are representatives in the largest democracy of the world. Lok Sabha is adjourned till 12:00 p.m.
Sri Krishna Devarayulu Lavu, YSRCP (Narasaraopet) asks whether there is a plan in place to define gig workers so that they can avail social security schemes? Minister of Labour and Employment notes that the Social Security Code does define gig workers and notes that gig workers can register themselves for an e-shram card that will help them avail social security schemes.
Questions concerning gig and platform workers are being entertained in the House.
Maddila Gurumoorthy, YSRCP (Tirupati) asks details regarding community-led restoration of forests in India. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Forest and Climate Change notes that the Ministry is working along with Tribal Ministry to work towards the same and assures that work will be done in line with existing schemes.
Questions concerning overseas jobs for youth are being entertained in the House.
Questions concerning Mid-day meal schemes are being entertained in the House.
"What steps have been taken to improve the capacity of ASI in order to boost their conservation and preservation efforts?", asks Vanga Geethaviswanath, YSRCP (Kakinada) and asks whether private players will be involved in preservation projects. She also asks the Minister to inform about the House about the efforts being taken to protect archeological sites in southern parts of the country. Ms. Lekhi notes that ASI is in-charge of preserving sites across the country and also points out that the State governments are in charge of preserving certain sites.
Malook Nagar, BSP (Bijor) notes that government is protecting Mughal monuments and monuments built during Lodhi's regime and asks what the government is doing to preserve sites like Hastinapur. Ms. Lekhi says that the government is doing its part in trying to protect these sites and also notes that they are making progress in preserving sites like Dholavira.
Questions concerning monuments of national importance are being entertained in the Lower House. Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS External Affairs and Culture is answering the supplementary questions. Members are asking questions specific to their constituencies.
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2pm
The Chair says that the discussion cannot go on if the Opposition and the govt. does not reach a consensus. He says that he is disppointed. "My concern is debate, and decency."
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 p.m.
Question Hour begins in Lok Sabha. Opposition is protesting in the House.
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha resume
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha resume their proceedings for the 16th day of the winter session.
Papers are being laid on the table in Rajya Sabha
Obituary References are being made in the Lok Sabha. The lower house is paying respects to:
(1) Shri Chandra Pal Shailani (Member, Fifth and Seventh Lok Sabhas),
(2) Shri Konijeti Rosaiah (Member, Twelfth Lok Sabha), and
(3) Shri Ram Nagina Mishra (Member, Seventh, Eighth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Lok Sabhas).
Legislative Business for December 20, 2021 is as follows:
Lok Sabha:
1. The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to be introduced
2. The Appropriation (No.5) Bill,2021 to be introduced for consideration and passing.
Rajya Sabha:
1. The Mediation Bill, 2021 to be introduced
2. The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021 to be considered for passing
Government leaving our queries hanging: MPs
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, on December 7, asked the Union Government to give in writing whether it would pay compensation to the families of the farmers who died during the year-long agitation.
Another part of the same question also asked if the Government was considering giving legal guarantee to the minimum support price (MSP), something that the farmers have been demanding.
But the reply skipped the first two parts and answered the impact of COVID-19 on the farming community.
Poshan Tracker data not made public due to privacy concerns: Government
Data recorded in the Poshan (Nutrition) Tracker have not been made public in the interest of privacy of women and children, the Government told Parliament last week.
“The data that we deal with within the Poshan Tracker, to maintain the privacy of women and children in our country, especially the minor children whose data should not be publicly made available, is an issue which is close to my heart. My pledge is to honour the privacy of women and children who are serviced by the Government of India in collaboration with State Governments across the anganwadi systems in the country,” Smriti Irani, Minister for Women and Child Development, told the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The Minister was responding to a question from YSRCP MP Goddeti Madhavi on why nutrition indicators recorded in the tracker were not in public domain.
Opposition cool to Government offer for meeting on MPs’ suspension
Floor leaders of parties whose Rajya Sabha members are among the 12 suspended for the entire winter session of Parliament have been asked to attend a meeting with Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Monday morning to discuss a way out of the parliamentary logjam.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge responded to Mr. Joshi, saying it was “unfortunate and unfair” to invite only leaders of parties whose MPs had been suspended rather than all Opposition party leaders.
Day 15 recap
The Lok Sabha today passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, after approving all the amendments made by the Rajya Sabha. The Bill was passed amid continuous sloganeering by the Opposition over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, which had earlier caused the Lower House to adjourn after taking up only four questions in the Question Hour.
The Lok Sabha entertained questions on under-utilisation of funds allocated for POSHAN Abhiyaan, and digitization of notarial work.
After resuming proceedings, members in the Lok Sabha introduced three Bills, namely, the National Anti-Doping Bill (2021), the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill (2021), and the Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill (2021).
Published - December 20, 2021 10:12 am IST
