Parliament Budget Session highlights Day 9: Both Houses to reconvene on August 5

Lowe House will reconvene on Monday - August 5

“Democracy is in danger in Jharkhand. In certain schools in Godda, Urdu has been added without any government notification. Holiday has been declared on Fridays now. Please stop this and save democracy,” says BJP MP Nishakant Dubey in the Lok Sabha.

MPs mention matters which need urgent attention in their constituencies

BJP’s Aligarh MP Satish Kumar Gautam claims that a major hospital in his constituency comprised of mainly Muslim doctors due to which Hindus were hesitant to take treatment. He requests an AIIMS/Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital in Aligarh.?

Chair postpones Zero Hour by one hour as Union Health Minister JP Nadda will make a reply to the House on the health allocation.

Asaduddin Owaisi says, “NHA budget has declined citing inflation, even though most primary healthcare centres (PHC) lack basic infrastructure. Most health expenses by Indians are out-of-pocket. The PM had spread lies that Muslims have more children. The ministry had informed that Muslims have lower fertility rates than Hindus and Muslim men use higher number of contraception than Hindu men”.?

His remarks are met with slogans from BJP MPs, who claim he is lying.

Over 29,000 hospitals, including 12,625 private ones, have been empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana as of June 30, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda told the Lok Sabha on Friday, August 2, 2024.

All empanelled hospitals have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with their respective State Health Agencies (SHAs).

Beneficiaries can seek redressal of their grievances by filing their grievances, related to denial of treatment by empanelled hospitals or regarding any other issue related to the scheme, using different media, including the web-based portal Centralised Grievance Redressal Management System (CGRMS), Central and State call centres, letters to SHAs etc.

Beneficiaries can approach the State Health Agency to take action against erring hospitals, including de-empanelment of the hospitals. All empanelled hospitals are available to provide treatment to the eligible beneficiaries, Nadda said in a written response to a question.

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Medicines and medical devices sold at affordable prices under the Prime Minister Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana have helped people save more than ?28,000 crore so far, Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said in the Lok Sabha on Friday, August 2, 2024.

The Minister said 1,965 drugs and 235 medical devices are sold through Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country and are available at the centres at a discounted price of up to 52 to 80 per cent. Because of the reduction of prices at Jan Aushadhi Kendras, patients have been able to save ?28,000 crore so far, Mr. Nadda said during the Question Hour.

In addition, the Health Minister said, patients were able to save ?24,273 crore after buying medicines and medical devices under the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) scheme.

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Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Friday, August 2, 2024, said that Bharat Biotech initially did not mention the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) as co-inventors in the patent application for the Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, but the application was corrected after objections were raised by the government.

Covaxin, which was widely used as a Covid vaccine, was jointly developed by the ICMR, NIV and Bharat Biotech International Ltd, a Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer.

Mr. Nadda, speaking during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, also said that ICMR has received around ?172 crore as royalty for Covaxin from Bharat Biotech.

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Delhi’s BJP MP Manoj Tiwari extols the expanded health allocation in the Union budget. Noting that AIIMS is treating patients from UP, Bihar and Jharkhand, he demanded a new building for preliminary screening. “Delhi government is trying to take over UCMS, please stop this,” pleads Mr. Tiwari.

Congress MP Sunil Bose notes that the budgetary allocation for health was not over 2.5% of the GDP. “India’s doctor to patient ratio is 1:1105, which is lower than WHO recommendations. My constituency mainly comprises of below poverty levels. Most people are suffering from anaemia and tribals are suffering from sickle cell anaemia”. He demands an AIIMS-like speciality hospital in his constituency - Chamarajanagar.?

Jagdambika Pal is in the Chair as Lok Sabha discusses health budget allocation.?

Berhampur MP Dr. Pradeep Kumar Panigarhy says if a nation’s health is of the highest order, it will progress.

He said in the last 10 years we have seen a sea of changes in the country’s health policies and services.

Nandurbaar MP Gowaal Kagada Padavi pointed out that the Budget for Health and family welfare is down by 3.9% from last year.

Super specialty hospital like AIIMS is required in the tribal areas of Nandurbar, Mr. Padavi said.

Sickle cell disease is prevelant in my area, which takes a heavy toll on the tribal people. Centre should allocate funds for the same, he added.

Mr. Nadda refutes claims of lack of representation in NEET. He says it addresses regional aspirations and also solves problems of alleged corruption in erstwhile medical entrance examinations.

Dr. Brittas recommends the minister to watch a show that depicts life at coaching centres for competitive exams. The MP is referring to Kota Factory.

“If the ruling party had agreed to all the verdicts of the Supreme Court, I would have naturally consented to their argument,” he says.

“We are pushing our students -- the future of this country -- into a trap of joblessness, and this will remain until we address what the market demands and what our education system imparts,” Mr. Chadha says, criticising the practice of mugging prevalent in India.

Lack of opportunities in India is heart-wrenching and our education system does not align with the needs of the modern world, he says.

No sanitary napkin vending machine even in the new Parliament building, says Warangal MP Dr. Kadiyam Kavya.

Bangalore Rural MP Dr. C.N. Manjunath raised the concern of young and middle aged Indians becoming prone to various non-communicable diseases.?

Mr. Manjunath said 60% of the deaths today are due to non-communicable diseases and number one killer is heart attack. Youngsters between age group 25-45 are becoming prone to this disease.

The MP proposed various measures through which risk of death in heart attack patients can be brought down.

The Chairman of the Upper House makes the statement after Congress MP pointed to alleged connections between those accused in the NEET paper leak and the BJP.

Anyone who commits a culpable act is condemnable irrespective of their political parties, Mr. Dhankhar says. “The House has to show objectivity,” he adds.

Mr. Bonde recalls previous processes of medical entrance examinations in India. Applying for multiple entrance exams for different universities was a burden on students, especially those from rural areas or underprivileged backgrounds, the MP says.

“Should we scrap the entire examination because of scattered leaks,” Mr. Bonde questions.

Opposition MPs protest as Mr. Rijiju says he will “not agree” if the majority of the House will not agree. We will put it to vote, he says.

This matter is not sub-judice, says Congress MP Shaktisingh Gohil.

“Private Member resolutions are included in the list of the day’s business with Chairman’s approval. It is unfair to stop it now,” Mr. Gohil adds.

Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandheshwari said the health infrastructure in the country needs to be ramped up.

She said the wellness centres introduced by the Centre at the ground level is a welcome measure. At these centres, primary health screening is done and if required, patient is sent to tertiary health centres?

Ms. Purandheshwari further said that CHCs and PHCs are starved of infrastructure, where sometimes even electricity is cut off?

she further pointed that the 2.5% of the budget that needs to be allocated to Health is not only by the Centre but states also have to be forthcoming in that, which has not been the case so far.

M.M. Abdulla moves a resolution urging the government to bring a legislation to move education from concurrent list to State list of subjects and to allow medical admissions based on the criteria of the State government by repealing NEET and NTA.

The resolution goes against several precedents and parliamentary norms and practices, objects MoS Jayant Chaudhary.

A discussion on scrapping NEET and NTA will go against the spirit of the Supreme Court judgement, Mr. Chaudhary says, urging Mr. Abdulla to withdraw the resolution.

Being ‘anti-farmer’ is in the DNA of Congress, said Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday as he took on Opposition parties for accusing the Modi government of working against the interest of the farm sector.

Replying to a discussion on the working of his ministry in the Rajya Sabha, the Union minister said the Central government increased the budget outlay for the sector many-fold in the last 10 years from 2013-14.

Anantag-Rajouri MP Mian Altaaf Ahmad said the government should collaborate with international organisations for cancer treatment.

He also raised the concern of lack of proper medical facilities in his constituency.?

Mr. Ahmad further said doctors are being posted to hilly areas. He said there should be a rule that those doctors coming from hilly areas should be made to work there for at least 4-5 years.

Government will consider all concrete suggestions for farmers’ welfare, said Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Rajya Sabha on Friday.

Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP from Nashik raises the concern of doctors and trained nurses practising in tribal and rural areas.?

He requests the government to focus on the necessities and technicalities in this field.?

Ramprit Mandal, JDU MP from Jhanjharpur, lauds the vision of Centre for allocating ?3,002 crore out of the total health budget for research which will help in making valuable changes to the health sector of the country.?

Sharmila Sarkar, TMC MP from Bardhaman Purba raises the issues related to Kalyani AIIMS.?

She says, “The Kalyani AIIMS is struggling with several issues like incomplete infrastructure, equipment shortage, and construction delay.“

Dr. Sharmila Sarkar points out that “the absence of over 100 doctors is critically affecting both medical education and patient care.”?

Lalji Verma, SP MP from Ambedkar Nagar, says he is disappointed to note that the Finance Minister did not add health to the nine priorities of the Budget 2024.?

He points out that the total percentage allotted to health in 2023 was 1.91%, which has now dropped to 1.81% in 2024.?

“All big economies have facilities of high-speed bullet trains. Mumbai to Ahmedabad bullet train will be the first such project for India,” said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Chair car and executive car class will be the two coaches in these trains, said Mr. Vaishnaw.

J. P. Nadda reponds to the query and says, “There was a joint MOU with Bharat Biotech International Limited.” He adds, that together the program of developing the vaccine was undertaken.?

Mr. Nadda says that ICMR undertook the responsibility of research on isolating the virus, studying the challenges, and testing the vaccine.?

Mr. Nadda further clarifies that “Bharat Biotech undertook the task of developing.” He says, “ BBIL spent over ?60 crore to develop the vaccine.”?

Sougata Ray, TMC MP from Dum Dum says, “Covaxin was developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research. “ He adds, “?35 crore was spend on developing the vaccine and Minister has given the split of how this money was spend.”?

However, Mr. Ray notes, “A strange thing happened, the patent which was initially filed, was filed alone by a company called Bharat Biotech International Limited. “?

He says, “In initial application, he did not mention ICMR.”?

Mr. Ray raises the question of whether Bharat Biotech was questioned by the Ministry.?

He further adds, “If they have not filed, what punitive steps have been taken against them instead of giving them Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan”?

Samirul Islam, TMC MP, criticised Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar, for suggesting division of the State in Rajya Sabha. “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has worked for north Bengal. After being defeated in West Bengal repeatedly, the BJP is trying to seek revenge from its citizens. The BJP will never be able to divide Bengal.”

Replying to the question, J. P. Nadda says, “Because of some technical reasons, it has been delayed.”?

He further adds, “We accept the delay but the government is committed and the work has started and very soon you will see the construction work will take place.”?

A. Raja, DMK MP from Nilgiri, says, “I am highly disappointed to see the answers given by the Minister.”?

He raises the issue of no allocation being made towards the AIIMS Madurai, announced four years back.?

Mr. Raja says, “Not a single brick was laid in the place.” He says, “Is this the correct attitude towards Tamil Nadu”.?

Congress MP from Kerala Jebi Mather Hisham said that the State is being neglected with respect to Railway allocation. “There are only two Vande Bharat trains for Kerala whereas other States have at least five. Adequate services are needed from Thiruvananthapuram till Ernakulam,” she said.

Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy, TDP MP from Nellore requests the centre to increase the coverage under the Ayushman Bharat scheme from ?5 lakh to ?15 lakh.?

J.P. Nadda says we aim to bring all the stakeholders related to health, issues, and details of the patients under one platform of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission portal.”

He says, this will help us cater to them individually and efficiently.?

Muzibulla Khan, BJD MP in Rajya Sabha said, “Jagdalpur in Bastar district needs direct connectivity from Delhi. Tourist and locals will both benefit from this. Both Chhattisgarh and Odisha will benefit if at least a direct flight for two days in a week is started.”

Amar Singh, Congress MP from Fatehgarh, raises questions about the difficulties related to the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.?

He notes people face difficulty in getting a Health Card.?

Anupriya Patel, MoS, Health, and Family Welfare replies to the question and says, “We have made 2,17,555 health cards in Fatehgarh constituency.”?

DMK MP Tiruchi Siva raised the issue of precarious situation of gig workers and unorganised sector workers. He said health insurance coverage for them is either reduced and also removed. “A national framework for their protection should be created,” he said.

Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, while replying to the question of essential medicines says, “We price the essential drugs and control the trade margins.”?

He hails the initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing generic medicines and surgical items for “50% - 80% less than the market price.”?

BJP Jitin Prasad presented a copy of the following Notifications of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, under Section 55 of the Aadhaar (Targetted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016.

The Question Hour begins with the question of whether the government has taken note that drugs are exempted from ceiling prices under the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) by BJP MP Raj Kumar Chahar.?

Speaker Om Birla congratulates Shooter Swapnil Kusale who bagged India’s third medal at Paris Olympics.?

Lower House reconvenes after being adjourned on August 1, 2024.?

As the Parliament convenes for the ongoing Monsoon Session on Friday, the discussion regarding National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), unemployment, and regulation of airfares will be taken up in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha today.According to the agenda released, the Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal, Prataprao Jadhav, Anupriya Patel, Kritivardhan Singh, and Shantanu Thakur will lay papers on the tables in Lok Sabha.Ministry of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal will make a statement regarding Government Business during the remaining part of the 2nd session of the 18th Lok Sabha. - ANI

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Friday gave an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss the “border situation and the huge trade deficit with China.”?

In his letter to the Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, Tewari highlighted “ongoing border clashes between India and China” since 2019. “I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance, namely: That this House do suspend Zero Hour and relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to have a discussion on the border situation and the huge trade deficit with China,” Manish Tewari said in the adjournment motion notice.?

“Since 2019, there have been ongoing border clashes between India and China, with reports of Chinese troops blocking access to patrolling points in Eastern Ladakh. Recent reports suggest that China has completed construction of a 400-metre bridge which gives Chinese forces the ability to speedily move troops between the North and South banks of the Pangong Lake,” he added. Mr. Tewari also urged the government to provide details on efforts to resolve the border dispute and “protect India’s integrity against Chinese aggressions. - ANI

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on August 2 claimed that Enforcement Directorate “insiders” have told him that a raid is being planned against him after his “chakravyuh” speech in Parliament.

Mr. Gandhi said he was “waiting with open arms”. Read more

The stark image of a blue plastic bucket placed in the new Parliament building’s lobby to catch the drips from a leak in the roof triggered an Opposition attack against the government on Thursday, with the Congress moving an adjournment motion to discuss the matter.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat, however, said that there had only been “minor leakage” as “the adhesive material used to fix the glass domes over the lobby of the building was slightly displaced” due to the heavy rains that lashed the national capital on Wednesday evening. Massive water logging was also seen in and around the Parliament complex. Read more

Former Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday accused the Congress party and its “ancestors” of conspiring against reservation for backward classes and Dalits.

Referring to the uproar by the Opposition on his caste-related remarks during the Budget debate on Tuesday, Mr. Thakur said: “My speech deeply hurt the sense of entitlement of some people as a result of which the entire ecosystem of the Congress is creating a hue and cry. They feel that only they have the right to ask questions because they are privileged. These are the same people whose ancestors used to call the backward, Dalits and deprived as fools.” Read more

The Railways will add nearly 2,500 coaches in general compartments in the upcoming months, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on August 1.

Taking part in a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the demands for grants under the Railway Budget, he said the ratio of general coaches, including sleeper and non-AC coaches, to AC coaches was almost 2:1. Approximately 2,500 additional general coaches would be manufactured in the upcoming months. Apart from this, nearly 10,000 additional general coaches would be produced in the foreseeable future, ensuring their smooth availability. Read more