Parliament Budget Session Day 7 Highlights: Lok Sabha passes J&K budget; debate on Union Budget continues

Upper House will reconvene on July 31, 11 AM

Lower House will recommence on July 31 at 11 AM

“India has elected Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third time who understands the problems and difficulties of the country and understands the problems of farmers and labourers,” BJP MP Neeraj Shekhar says.

BJP MP Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik says that India is not in a crisis, as opposed to what a lawyer from the opposition said. He says that the monthly GST collection has increased from ?35,000 crore in 2017 to ?2,00,000 crore in June 2024. He also adds that the number of start-ups before 2014 was only 350, but today the number is at 1,07,000.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Pavan Rajnimblekar raises tender allocations in Solapur-Tuljabhavani-Dharashiv railway project. “Dharashiv is an aspirational district and one where highest number of farmers commit suicide. Hence, compulsory land acquisition is unfair to these farmers. Please develop bullet train, Vande Bharat trains, but also better farmers’ living conditions.

“Latur coach factory has been inaugurated twice before elections. But production is yet to begin. Please take action,” he adds.?

JMM MP Mahua Maji says that FM Nirmala Sitharaman has not mentioned a word on the railways, and today, another rail accident has taken place, leading to its 18 coaches derailing and 2 people found dead. She adds that rail accidents are increasing but there is still no attention to the railways, which is India’s lifeline. She further adds that local trains are needed to provide jobs and help end trafficking and migration issues.

“The Central Government talks about the tribal people but doesn’t have provisions for them in the Budget,” she further added. She says that the Government brought the Forest Conservation Bill, and they have ended the tribal’s means of livelihood.

She also asked the Government to allow missionary schools to receive FCRA funding as they provide quality education and even the Finance Minister was from a missionary school.

BJP Member of Parliament Brij Lal says that the Opposition are experts in spreading fake narratives, as PFI did during the CAA protests at Shaheen Bagh. He is glad that PM Modi and Amit Shah banned the terrorist organisation (PFI) and says that these fake narratives may work once but they won’t work twice.

TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar urges members to stand up to honour casualties due to train derailment. She points out that the Union Budget did not mention any Railway allocation and that a document was circulated saying that Rs 2.62 lakh crores was allocated for Railways.?

She also makes suggestions to ensure passenger safety - man railway crossing gates, seatbelts for rail coaches, implementation of KAVACH system, redevelop stations, rail track maintenance. “We are laying tracks at a great speed and developing ergonomic trains, launching Vande Bharat trains to rival foreign networks. But we should take precautions to prevent accidents, derailment,” says Ms. Dastidar.

DMK MP A Raja is in the Chair

According to a World Bank report, India’s economy has been resilient despite a challenging external environment,” Independent MP Kartikeya Sharma says. “The opposition doesn’t acknowledge the benefits of the Budget, they focus on criticism which seems aimed on hiding the truth and misleading the public,” he says.

BJP’s Mandsaur MP Sudheer Gupta lauds Indian Railways’ achievements. He says, “Railways has progressed in leaps in last 10 years. India has the fourth largest rail network after China, US and Russia”. He also lauds the massive project of converting rail toilets to bio-toilets, which is one of the biggest cleanliness drive and protects rail tracks. Thanking Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Ashwini Vaishnaw for improving railways, he berates Congress for passing off British rail networks as their achievements.

TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tennati is in the Chair?

MNF MP K. Vanlalvena says that the new Budget is not just for Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, but for the North East as well. He says that Nitin Gadkari has said that the total Budget allocation for the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways for the eight states of the North East is ?97,372 crores.

Moving on from the debate on the Union Budget, the Lok Sabha takes up discussion on demand for grants by Railway ministry from the Union Budget

Via voice vote, suspension of Rule 331G was passed for preparation of Demands for Grants via different ministries. Chairman Om Birla says that exceeding the 20 hour debate time, Union Budget was debated for over 70 hours and over 40 new MPs spoke on the issue.?

FM Sitharaman tables J&K appropriation Bill, 2024. Via voice vote, it is passed.

KC (M) MP Jose K. Mani says that this is not a Central Budget but a Budget for two States. He added that natural calamities and its management has taken political colours. “This is not ‘sab ka saath, sab ka vikaas’, this is ‘dono ke saath, dono ka vikaas’”, he says.

He also shares that Kerala has the best cash crops in India, but it is suffering from natural calamities every year. However, the Government has not provided any sufficient relief, which is unfair to Kerala.

He further adds that the Budget doesn’t have any proposal schemes for the upliftment of the poor, youth, women and the farmers.

BJP MP Dr. K. Laxman says that Telangana Finance Minister agreed that almost ?70,000 crores have been allocated to the State. “It isn’t necessary to name each State in the Union Budget,” he said.

Defending the Halwa ceremony photo, she says, “This ceremony has been existing since when budget papers were printed at Minto road. For nine days and nights, people involved in creating the budget were locked in the cellar. Halwa was prepared by that staff before the start of the budget creation. This is Indian tradition”.?

“Now, for five days and four nights the finance ministry officials are locked in. This became a photo-op in 2013-14. Did you not ask how many SC/ST and OBC officials were there then?,” she asks Mr. Gandhi. She then narrates how two officer received news of death of family members once they entered the North Block cellar for budget creation, but refused to leave till Halwa ceremony was complete. “Why divide people now by asking caste of everyone involved?”, chides FM.

“Entrepreneurs are building India and a conspiracy is spread against wealth creators. An image is being created that foreign investment is not safe in Indian institutions. Together, we must fight this conspiracy,” says FM Sitharaman in response to attacks on Indian businessmen.

IUML MP Haris Beeran says that the FM should be reminded that the State of Kerala still exacts. “Double-engine sarkar is totally unconstitutional”, says Mr. Beeran. He further adds that Kerala’s requests like funds for an international trans-shipment container ter minal and national highways, AIIMS, coconut and rubber farmers, sea erosion which affects fisherfolk and more, have not been considered in the Budget at all.

He compares this with the Budget allocation for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh and says that the Government is ‘being held at gunpoint by his allies’.

Amid Opposition sloganeering, Chair Om Birla extends proceedings of Lower House till 8 PM. He also chides Leader of Opposition (Rahul Gandhi) to face the Chair and not show his back to the Chair.

Defending her education, FM Sitharaman says, “The Finance Minister of Bengal is educated from Calcutta University and the Chief MInister is also educated from Bengal university. Are they bereft of new ideas? Is JNU or Calcutta university lower than any Western university? They are insulting women in power”.?

Her remarks are met with Opposition MPs’ demands to release a white paper on her claims regarding West Bengal. FM assures that she will do so.

BJP MP Mahendra Bhatt says that the Budget has many plans and funds allocated for the four ‘jatis’ in the country now – the poor, youth, women and farmers. Every citizen knows what PM Modi has done for them.

“Shafiqur Rahman Barq was a respectable and elderly member. I have helped him many times with his constituency issues. The dedication with which he approached was notable. I want to respect his grandson who has now been elected in his place,” says FM in Lok Sabha.?

Reiterating that minority budget has not been reduced, she says, “In 2022-23 actuals were 803 crores, in 2023-24 it was estimated at Rs 3098 crores and 2024-25 estimates are Rs 3183 crores - Rs 85 crores higher than the last budget. No reduction in budget”

Opposition Members of Parliament question RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar’s OBC status, saying that Jats are not considered OBC’s. Mr. Dhankar replies that he is proud to be a Jat and that Jats are considered OBC’s in Rajasthan and in the Central list.

BJPs Dr. K Laxman added that Congress doesn’t know who is an OBC, SC or ST, and their leaders don’t know anything about it.

“Flawed indexes such as global hunger index may not work for India. How are conflict-ridden countries like Sudan, Pakistan ranked higher than us? They are struggling to afford atta while were are providing free ration to crores of citizens. How can they be higher than India? That is why it is difficult to establish these global indices’ credibility,” says FM Sitharaman in response to queries regarding poverty alleviation.

Talking about the unemployment issue raised by the Opposition members, FM Sitharaman claims that the NDA government created 12.5 crore jobs in the last ten years in comparison to 2.3 crore jobs created by the UPA government in ten years, citing SBI job report.?

Comparing the inflation in UPA era and current, she says, “The COVID crisis was much more complex than the global economic crisis in 2008. Between January 2012-14, 22 of the 28 months it was 9%, double the accepted limit. Harvard-educated ministers were running the Finance ministry then. They inherited a stable macro-economy from Atal ji’s era, still they had no fiscal prudency. Congress aayi, mehangai laayi is a well known statement”.?

Defending her government’s economic management, she adds, “India’s inflation between 2020-23 is much lower than global average due to PM Modi’s planning. Between 1999-2003 it as 3.8%. In UPA -1 it was 6%, UPA-2 it was 10.2%. Put together it was 8.1%. In NDA-1, it was 4.5%, NDA-2 it was 5.7% and put together 5.1%”.?

“President Droupadi Murmu is from the Scheduled Tribe, Vice President and RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar is from the OBC, and so is Prime Minister Narendra Modi from OBC. What more does the Congress want us to do?” Mr. Tiwari says.

“Agricultural allocation was Rs 21,934 crores in 2013-14. But in 2024-25 it is 1.23 lakh crores, a five-time increase. More than 3.2 lakh crores has been disbursed to 11 crore farmers under the PM Kisan scheme,” says FM Sitharaman, in response to twenty members’ queries on agriculture.?

Talking about MSP, she says, “In 2007, UPA government did not accept the MS Swaminathan commission’s suggestion of giving MSP of more than 50% of the weighted average cost of crops. They claimed this was due to the distortion it will cause in market. It was the Modi government which gave the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi”.

In a fiery reply to Opposition, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman says, “In 2014-15, 26 states were not named in Budget speech. Were they ignored? Why are you creating ruckus? Why are you misleading? We have sent ministers to each state to explain them how much has been allocated to them in the Union Budget”. She lists major projects in which allocation has been made across states.?

The expenditure in each sector, contrary to what was argued has gone up. Agriculture had 0.30 lakh crore in 2013-14 whereas now it has 1.52 lakh crore. It is 8,000 crores more than last year which is 2023-24. Education and employment, 0.85 lakh crore was allotted in 2013-14 whereas today it is 1.48 lakh crore, 23% more allocation, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, addressing Lok Sabha said, “We shall all work to build Viksit Bharat by year 2047, highlighting that the Budget 2024 is the “first step towards Viksit Bharat”.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi responded strongly to the speech by BJP MP Anurag Thakur and said “insult me as much as you can but we will pass caste census.”

“Don’t become a reel Minister, you have to tell the truth to become a real Minister. There are few people who are accidental Hindu preaching about Mahabharat accidentally,” BJP MP Anurag Thakur took a jibe at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on July 30.

In a statement on the Wayanad landslide, MoS Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Rajya Sabha that the Centre is providing all possible assistance to the Kerala government. “Seventy bodies have been retrieved. Two NDRF teams, two Army columns, and two IAF helicopters have been deployed for search and rescue operations,” the Minister informed the House.

“Further, there have been students who have taken student loans who cannot repay because of the unemployment crisis in India, there has been no waiver or relief for those who have taken student loans. This government is divorced from the realities of India. Even their core constituencies are now complaining about them because they have removed indexation. By removing indexation, you are not giving the benefit of buffering yourself against inflation. This government is a malaise, they have no new ideas and they talk about giving ?17,500 as tax relief which translates to ?47 a day. What can you buy for ?47 a day except for Jio recharge? This Budget must be rejected by the House.,” Mr. Karti Chidambaram added.

Taking a dig at the Opposition, the Leader of the House said, “There is a new trend… Some people are trying to become champions of OBCs.” On the Agnipath scheme, the Minister told the Opposition, “Don’t politicise issues of national interest. Keep Army separate from politics.”

“I hope when the Finance Minister comes at 4 p.m. doesn’t compare herself with some of her predecessors who came from the other House, their economic backgrounds is much different from hers. If she had sympathy and compassion, she would’ve addressed the unemployment issue. There are 10 lakh vacancies in the government of India. This Budget doesn’t talk about filling those vacancies. The multi-slab GST is the cause of inflation and price rise. In fact, they levy GST even on prosthetics, artificial limbs and motorised wheelchairs. This means, that the government is levying a tax on walking. We are one of the most underinsured countries in the world. This government levies 18% GST on insurance premium for health and life. This has to be withdrawn in the Budget,” said Sivagangai MP Karti P. Chidambaram in the Lok Sabha on July 30.

“The focus is on job creation. An employment-linked incentive scheme will generate millions of new jobs nationwide. The Budget emphasises skill development, boosting agricultural productivity, supporting the manufacturing sector, enhancing the service sector, and encouraging digital public infrastructure,” says JP Nadda in Rajya Sabha.

Karti Chidambaram in the Lok Sabha said, “This Budget lacks compassion and empathy. The responsibility lies at the doorstep of the Prime Minister. The PM has been weakened, he hasn’t been able to have a new Cabinet even though he has won for the third time. He has appointed the same ministers in the same portfolio. Had he chosen a member of this House as the Finance Minister that person who have the native intelligence of meeting constituents and understanding the problem of India - which is basically inflation and unemployment. Because this Finance Minister does not have a constituency, because this finance minister doesn’t interact with people with daily problems of joblessness and price rise, this Budget lacks empathy and compassion.”

S. Supongmeren Jamir, Congress MP from Nagaland, raised the unemployment issue in the Lok Sabha. He said there was no mention of road connectivity in the Northeast was made in the Budget.?

Participating in the discussion on Budget in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister J.P. Nadda said it focuses on inclusive growth. “The Budget focuses on sustainable development, stresses on economic resilience and is visionary.”

During a discussion on Union Budget, CPI(M) leader A. A. Rahim slammed the Centre over the state of economy. “I speak today on behalf of millions of youth who are struggling with unemployment and underemployment. Living in India is extremely challenging today. The country’s unemployment rate rose to 9.2% in June, food inflation increased from 6.6% in 2022-23 to 7.5% in 2023-24. The price of gas, basic necessities, mobile tariffs have all increased. The cost of living is sky-rocketing but incomes are declining,” the Kerala MP said in Rajya Sabha.

“The government has a policy to dismantle the concept of permanent employment, replacing it with contract employment. They are promoting outsourcing and privatisation,” the MP added.

Concluding his speech, Mr Arthur urged the treasury to consider adding northeast to the tourism map, so that they would not have to look to the entire country for survival.?

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on July 30 attacked Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on his speech a day earlier, stating that the INDIA bloc has no nationalistic thinking and no positive agenda to offer to the people of the country.

Mr. Goyal, who is also the commerce and industry minister, said the Congress leader has made all baseless claims during his speech.

Mr Arthur said refugee camps in the state were struggling to access basic amenities as food. He accused the Manipur Chief Minister of spewing violence and disharmony.?

“For every second and effort, my family had endowed for the freedom of country provides me the right to seek that I be given justice,” he stated, adding, “I too am a citizen of this country, why are you not visiting us?”?

Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad after Mr Yadav finished his speech sought that he impart some wisdom to the Leader of Opposition as well. To this, Mr Yadav said, “I do not know who their town planner or architect is but when they (the NDA) are out of power, we shall turn Ayodhya into the world’s best city.”?

“This Budget will give wings to the dreams of youth. This Budget will fulfil the 2047 vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India) and transform it into reality. It is a balanced budget. It will reduce deficit financing,” says the Uttar Pradesh BJP MP.

The Kannauj MP questioned the government about the scope of employability with the Agniveer scheme. To this, Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur responded stating that Prime Minister Modi-led government fulfilled the long pending aspirations about one rank, one pension. Mr Thakur stated that the scheme has 100% employment guarantee.?

Responding to Mr Thakur, Mr Yadav sought why then the government was compelled to provision 10% quote to Agniveers in UP and other states.?

Separately, the Kannauj MP commented that the government was on a fall. “The cycle (Samajwadi Party symbol) initiatives are running your government, if not for us, where would you be?,” he stated.?

Commenting on the investor summits and MoUs concerning agriculture in Uttar Pradesh, Mr Yadav sought the eventual impact of the same from the treasury.?

Mr Yadav also sought if the MSP would be extended to horticulture.?

The Kannauj MP also placed concerns about how and when the government estimates to send across high-yield climate resilient varieties to the farmers. He accused the government of shrinking the size of DAP fertilizer sacks. Mr Yadav also sought how farmers have benefitted from the focus on nano urea.?

RJD MP Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha touches upon pre-budget consultations, saying that stall-owners, trade unions and other stakeholders have stopped being consulted.?

Preamble mentions dignity, justice and equality, how much does our budget reflect that, he asks. He also highlights that Article 39(c) speaks about tackling income equality. I am not against wealth, but I have a problem with vulgar wealth and its display as we saw in recent days, he says.

He says that 50 lakh skilled workers in education, health and child welfare, mainly women, but in five years there has been no increase in their payments.

What is preventing you from offering a legal guarantee for MSP, he questions.

The Budget speaks about four castes: women, farmers, youth and poor. This is misutilising a sociological and anthropological instrument he says. Caste is a reality in this country, and till you do a caste census, your targets won’t be specific, your budget will be useless, your policies will not reach the people, he says, calling the caste census a right “idea that cannot be killed.”

On the matter of FDI, Mr Yadav sought if U.P. has received more than 1% of the overall FDI received by the country. Further, Mr Yadav also voiced his complaint about the union government not allocating funds for building new expressways in the state. The Kannauj MP also expressed concerns about the newly inaugurated four-lane expressway Bundelkhand Expressway that was lying without repair and was not being funded. He sought the expressway must be extended to Haridwar.?

Mr Yadav made the remarks about the present dispensation.?

Ex-Prime Minister JD(S) MP H.D Devegowda requests time to make a comment after BJP MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita’s speech. He speaks about how the Bramhaputra river is very wide and that the problem of its flooding is very big. I appeal to the government to provide more funds to protect people on both sides of the river by building retaining walls, he says.?

Reflecting on the recent results at the general elections, Mr Yadav stated that if the country stands at the same place as ten years ago, would the ruling dispensation be accorded the same results?

Mr Yadav said Prime Minister Modi’s victory margin too had suffered.?

Presenting his views on assertions about FDI from the treasury and telecommunication manufacturing undertaken in the country, Mr Yadav stated that it was Samajwadi Party’s industrial policies that provided for the manufacturing and not the present dispensation’s ‘Make in India’ policies.?

BJP MP Bhubhaneshwar Kalita said that one member objected to the mentioning of Assam while speaking about floods earlier today. 98 people have died, he said, adding that the whole of Assam was inundated. We did not ask for a special package, the State government did everything, he said.?

Along with harvesting, we should harness water bodies as well to prevent flood, he says. The dredging of Bramhaputra and its tributaries is important, he says, appreciating the government for tacking it up.

He touches upon transport infrastructure. Rs. 352.2 have been alloted to waterway development, he says. 40,000 rail bogies have been upgraded to Vande Bharat standard he says. Rs. 6005 crores for railway electrification have been alloted over 2024-25, and my state is one of the beneficiaries, he says.

Mr Yadav stated that focus towards addressing unemployment and providing relief to the youth and villages were amiss in the budget. The Samajwadi MP pointing to speeches enumerating development undertaken by the treasury, sought where India stood in the Hunger Index? He also questioned the treasury about newer institutes being built in his home-state, Uttar Pradesh.?

Bhubaneshwar Kalita, BJP MP from Assam, calls the Union Budget a “development-oriented and progressive budget.”?

This budget has covered a number of things aimed at several sectors, including transport and rural development, he says. The thrust of the Budget is aimed at poor, youth, farmers, women, middle class and infrastructure development he says.

There are schemes aimed at poverty alleviation, he points out, highlighting that 25 crore people had been brought above the poverty line and 80 crore people are provided foodgrains. These schemes will be continued for five years.

Praful Patel, NCP MP in Maharashtra, says that anyone asking what is there in the budget for Maharashtra should look at the fine print of the budget. He also highlights that the Prime Minister recently inaugurated a new port on the West Coast. Due to Centre’s efforts, money is coming into Maharashtra he says.

Mining for iron has started in Gadchiroli, he points out, saying that the finest steel will be produced from this region.?

He says everyone should welcome this budget.

Post Question Hour, the Rajya Sabha resumes its discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25

Mr Bandopadhyay voicing his concerns about the derailment of the Howrah-bound passenger train from Mumbai in Jharkhand, sought to be acquainted with the latest developments in the matter. “Safety is now a challenge in the railways, everyday accidents are taking place,” he told the house.?

The TMC MP further sought, “Why is the Rail Minister not coming (to the house) and submitting a report to us?”.?

JMM MP Mahua Maji asks about measures to take care of those who are HIV positive, especially mothers and children.?

Health Miniser J.P Nadda responds that they have tried to take steps to tackle the issue while also maintaining the confidentiality of the patient.

Positivity rate among children reduced for 90% to 3%, he says.

Speaker Om Birla sought Mr Tewari formally submits a request.?

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, expressing concern over the situation in Wayanad after landslides, requested the union government to extend all possible support for medical care and rescue operations. He also sought an immediate release of compensation to the deceased people, and if possible, considering an increase in compensation.?

Mr Gandhi also requested the government to restore vital transport and communication lines and set up relief camps at the earliest.?

The LoP highlighted that the threat from landslides looms over many areas of Wayanad and the Western Ghats. Thus, he held there was an urgent need for mapping of landslide-prone areas and to take up relevant mitigation measures and frame an action plan for the ecologically fragile zones.?

Members ask questions about CSR fund utilisation in the country and establishment of a seperate body for veterinary medicine.?

On the subject of CSR funds, Dr. V Sivadasan asks if the government has any plans to control expenidture by companies, and to ensure it is spent for the public.

Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, highlights that it is the company board’s power to decide where to spend the money. If they contravene these provisions as established in the Companies Act, there are punitive measures in place, he says.

The next question pertains to overseas branches of public sector banks. Why are foreign branches of Indian banks shutting down, asks AAP MP Raghav Chhada highlighting that 25% of foreign branches of Indian banks have shut down.

In response to a question, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel informs the house that NEET-UG counselling will start on 14th August and it will be carried out in four rounds, ending on 26th October.

AITC MP Sagarika Ghose asks about decentralising of the NEET exam. The Minister responds that the uniform entrance exam was introduced to cope with the hardships of the students, who had earlier been required to give multiple exams. She said she would pass on the suggestions to return to the previous system to the Education Minister.

Speaker Om Birla told the house has not accepted any adjournment motion moved by members.?

Vivek Tankha raises the issue of lack of NCERT textbooks, while S Selvaganabathy raises a demand for a textile park in Puducherry. Dola Sen raises a concern about a pending request for changing the name of West Bengal to Bangla.

A member also raises a proposal to establish an Allahabad High Court bench in Agra.?

Responding to Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s assertion about views in the Economic Survey towards facilitating Chinese FDI, Union Minister for Commerce Piyush Goyal told the house that the Economic Survey is an “independent, autonomous” report and reflects the views and suggestions of the Chief Economic Advisor.?

Mr Gogoi also alleged that there was a divergence in approach between the Commerce and Foreign Ministry over engagement with China with respect to FDI and imports. The Jorhat MP said the government was turning India “China-nirbhar” and not “atma-nirbhar”. Mr Goyal responded stating that unless there is a security threat, visas are accorded to individuals engaging in “genuine business transactions” after vetting from the DPIIT, Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs.?

Earlier, Mr Goyal had likened the Production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme as “kickstart” to a scooter. He stated that its purpose was to ensure cost-competitiveness. He told the house that entities from 27 states and UTs had availed the benefits of the schemes. “We were dependent on imports for our LEDs and ACs, now 65% of the components are made in India, which is expected to increase up to 85% in the next few years,” he told the house.?

He also launched a scathing attack on the erstwhile UPA regime stating that they weakened the country by inducing imports of up to $40-45 billion from China.?

John Brittas asks that the Centre send its military to Wayanad. Jose K Mani asserts that 500 families are stranded, and says that it is a crucial issue. CPI (M) MP A.A Rahim asks that rescue process be undertaken properly. Multiple members ask that it be declared a national emergency, and that funds be released for it.?

Leader of the House J.P Nadda says that the Centre is being proactive in responding to the tragedy. The primary necessity is to retrieve bodies, rescue individuals and launch an emergency response. He says that we are all one in addressing this tragedy.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijuju shares that the government is doing whatever it can, and says this is not a moment for politics. This is the time of rescue and relief, the steps of rehabiliation and reconstruction will come later, he says.?

In an address to Chair Jagdeep Dhankhar, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asks that the Centre offer updates on the landslide in Wayanad. The Chair says that the State government and Centre is taking all measures for the same. He questions what is to be discussed, and disallows a discussion on the same in the House.

Opposition members have been demanding a discussion on the Wayanad landslide in both Houses.?

Zero Hour commences, but the first member’s speech about floods in Maharashtra is drowned out by a chorus of protests in the House.?

The Chair offers information about several points of order. These include communications to the Chair about H.D Deve Gowda, for which he requests the members to approach him with the premise before tomorrow. Other points of order include Jairam Ramesh’s communication on behalf of all Congress and INDIA members, pbjection by SP member Jaya Bachchan to being called Jaya Amitabh Bachchan and Piyush Goyal’s point of order about a tweet by Sanjay Singh about the proceedings of the House.?

Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan responding to a question about wage increase under MNREGA told the house that funds allocated towards provisioning wages have increased 250% to Rs 7.37 lakh crore in the last ten years from Rs 2.13 lakh crore earlier.?

He further told the house that labour also increased 43% during the period, at a 7% annual compound rate.?

Mr Paswan told the house that a dedicated division within the MNREGA set-up evaluates annually the requirement to increase wages and are pursued accordingly.

Responding to TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee’s assertions about political bias, Mr Chouhan stated that the government was obliged in its duty to provide 100 days of work to every willing individual. About the allegations of non-payment of wages, the Union Minister pointed to irregularities that led to withholding. “We will not allow public money to be used for some other unwarranted purpose. There was diversion of funds and the state government tried to guard the corrupt officials,” he told the house, adding, “Public money was not meant to be used for any unwarranted purposes”.?

A loud protest emerged from the Opposition benches after Mr Chouhan’s statement.?

In response to Kolkata Uttar MP Sudip Bandopadhyay’s question about steps undertaken by the government for establishing cold storage as per the necessitated requirement, Mr Chouhan told the house that the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund provisioning would continue until 2032-33. “Wherever we identify gaps in the respect, we will establish cold storages there,” he said.?

Mr Bandopadhyay had raised concerns about the lack of cold storages in the country that obligated farmers to engage in ‘distress selling’ of their produce.?

Indian Union Muslim League members in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have moved motions to discuss the Wayanad tragedy and the disastrous flood situation in parts of Kerala.

P.V. Abdul Wahab moved an adjournment motion under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha when E.T. Mohammed Basheer moved the motion in the Lok Sabha.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P Nadda moves that one member of the House each be elected to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rajkot, Nagpur, Kalyani, Rewadi and New Delhi, as also to the Jawaharalal Instititute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research in Puducherry.

The motion is adopted.

As per usual procedure, papers and statements are laid on the table of the Upper House?

The Rajya Sabha commences its proceecings at 11 am with Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar presiding. The first order of business is offering birthday greetings to M. Mohamed Abdulla, DMK MP of the Rajya Sabha.?

Members from the Opposition benches are seeking a discussion on the derailment of the Howrah-CSMT Express derailed near Chakradharpur in Jharkhand. The house has taken up the Question Hour.?

Mr Birla told members that he would consider the request after the conclusion of the Question Hour.?

The deaths of three students due to drowning in a Delhi coaching centre was heatedly debated on Monday, July 29 in both Houses of Parliament. Apart from the Bihar-Andhra skew in the Union Budget, several first-time MPs made their debut speech, raising issues related to their respective constituencies. Both Houses functioned till an extended time of 8 PM.