Parliament Updates: Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 11 AM Tomorrow; Dhankhar Raises Questions Over SC Scrapping NJAC Act

Rajya Sabha chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar in his maiden speech in the House on Wednesday criticised the judiciary for scrapping the NJAC bill, terming it as an instance of “severe compromise of parliamentary sovereignty”, and said the government’s three organs should respect the “Laxman Rekha”.

Leaders from more than 30 parties attended the meeting convened by the central government to discuss the legislative agenda and the issues likely to be taken up during the Winter Session of Parliament that begins on December 7. READ MORE 

Lightning incidents have caused the most deaths – 907 – so far this year, the government told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as it tabled the details about casualties due to disastrous weather events. According to information given by Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, disastrous weather events have caused 2,183 deaths across the country this year.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday called upon elected representatives to celebrate India’s G20 presidency which will be used to display the country’s diverse culture to the world. He said there would also be a conference of P20, along with the G20, during which chairmen and speakers of Parliaments in the 20 countries will participate.

As many as 14 people belonging to minority communities, including three Kashmiri Pandits, have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday. Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said 180 terrorists, 31 security personnel and 31 civilians were also killed in J&K in 123 terrorist incidents this year so far.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday called a meeting of opposition parties at parliament to evolve a joint strategy for the Winter Session of Parliament. Apart from the usual attendees, the meeting featured two unexpected participants – the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress. READ MORE 

PM Modi voiced global sentiment in Samarkand when he said this is not an era of war. His statement was in the context of the Ukraine conflict where our advocacy of dialogue and diplomacy has been consistent & it has a larger resonance as well, said Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha.

President Murmu’s first overseas visit was to The United Kingdom to attend funeral of Late Queen Elizabeth II. VP represented India at ASEAN Summit in Cambodia which elevated the India-ASEAN relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, says EAM Jaishankar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged all floor leaders to make a collective effort for a productive Winter session of Parliament. Addressing the media ahead of the Winter Session, PM Modi said members of parliament have complained to him that they do not get the opportunity to speak in the House because of disruptions. READ MORE

Lok Sabha adjourned for the second time since it began this morning on Day one of the Winter Session of Parliament

During zero hour in Lok Sabha DMK MP D. Ravikumar urges Union govt to formulate National Policy for abolition of caste-based burial grounds and crematoriums.

Speaker Om Birla tells him ‘burial and cremation grounds’ is a State subject.