Parliament budget session highlights: No disinvestment of BSNL, says govt
Budget session 2022: Parliament witnessed a ruckus on Tuesday as Opposition members protested against the fuel price rise after over a four-and-a-half month long hiatus. Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet cleared a bill aimed at merging Delhi's three municipal corporations, a move that is likely to escalate the tussle between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the civic polls.
No plan under consideration for disinvestment of BSNL, says govt
The government has no plans for disinvestment of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
Minister of State for Communications Devusinh Chauhan in a written reply to the Lok Sabha also asserted that there is no delay or deficiency in services provided by BSNL due to the implementation of voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) in early 2020.
The current strength of employees is sufficient for the operation of the state-owned telecom corporation, Chauhan said.
100% Covid vaccination of eligible population achieved in J&K: FM
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said 100 per cent Covid-19 vaccination of eligible population has been achieved in Jammu and Kashmir. She was replying to a debate on the J&K budget in Rajya Sabha.
Govt has so far blocked 320 mobile apps: Union minister Som Parkash
The government has so far blocked 320 mobile applications under a provision of the Information Technology (IT) Act to ensure a safe, trustworthy and accountable internet for all its users, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Som Parkash also said that these mobile applications were blocked in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, defence and security of the state.
In February, 49 apps were re-blocked after they were found to have been re-launched after rebranding of earlier blocked apps, he said.
Sonia Gandhi urges Centre to restart mid-day meal in schools
Stating that children have been worst affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday urged the Centre to restart mid-day meal scheme in schools, saying that the children need better nutrition now.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi said, "Children have been the worst affected due to the pandemic. Schools were the first to be closed and the last to be opened. When schools were closed, mid-day meals had stopped. People were given ration under National Food Security Act after the Supreme Court order."
The Congress president said that families of children had to face major crises to earn their livelihood.
Proud moment for India as it brought back citizens from Ukraine: Scindia
“It was a proud moment for India when the entire mechanism under the visionary leadership of Narendra Modi ji worked as a coherent unit to bring back the Indians from war-torn Ukraine,” Scindia said.
Civil aviation industry has become a key element of India's economy: Scindia
Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that there has been a lot of changes in the aviation sector in the last 20-25 years. Scindia told Lok Sabha that the civil aviation industry has become a key element of India's economy because airports are limited to big cities anymore.
“In all other countries in the world, only 5% of the pilots are female. In India over 15% of pilots are female. This is another example of women empowerment,” he said.
BJP MP Hema Malini asks if govt has any plan to promote Sanjhi Art
Lok Sabha member Hema Malini asked if the government has any plan to encourage artists from Mathura-Vrindavan involved in Sanjhi Art.
“Artists from all across the country including Madhubani painters from Bihar are encouraged through textile products. I want to ask the Textile Minister if there is any plan to do the same for the artists from Mathura-Vrindavan indulged in Sanjhi Art,” the BJP MP said.
Rajya Sabha adjourned amid ruckus over price rise
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 12 noon amid ruckus created by opposition parties over price rise.
Lok Sabha: List of Business for today
- Question Hour
- Matters under rule 377 to be taken up
- Discussion & Voting:
- Demands for Grants under the control of Ministry of Civil Aviation 2022-23 & Ministry of Commerce and Industry for 2022-23.
BJP MP Ram Kumar Verma gives zero hour notice in Rajya Sabha
BJP MP Ram Kumar Verma has given zero hour notice in Rajya Sabha to demand revising the family income eligibility criteria for pre-Matric and post-Matric scholarships to SC/ST students.
Congress MP gives Suspension of Business notice to discuss fuel price hike
Congress MP Shakti Sinh Gohil has given Suspension of Business notice in Rajya Sabha to discuss the increases in prices of LPG cooking gas and fuel prices.
Congress MPs to protest against fuel price hike
Congress MPs will hold a demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue 10.15am against the hike in domestic cooking gas, petrol and diesel price.