The fifth and last day of the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha offered condolences on the loss of lives in the stampede at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh.
The House witnessed discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid protests by the opposition. After the Prime Minister’s address, the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address was passed by a voice vote.
Proceedings began with Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar extending Birthday greetings to members K Laxman and Harbhajan Singh.
Thereafter, Chairman made obituary reference to former Rajya Sabha member Dharmapuri Srinivas.
‘In the passing away of Dharampuri Srinivas, the country has lost a veteran legislator, a champion of backward classes and an able parliamentarian, ‘the Chairman said.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhhar offered condolences on the loss of lives in the stampede in Uttar Pradesh Hathras.
‘Several devotees lost their lives in stampede in religious event in Hathras. The death of the devotees is unfortunate.
The House extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery of the injured. The House observed silence in memory of the departed.
Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge called on the government to enact legislation aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
The Chairman asked leader of the House J P Nadda to work together with the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge so that such events can be avoided.
After the laying of papers, the House resumed discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to both Houses of Parliament.
Ramji of the Bahujan Samaj Party said that the talk of Viksit Bharat is incomplete till education does not reach everyone.
Replying to the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in India’s Democratic history, people of the country have voted a government in power for the third consecutive term.
‘This has happened for the first time in the last six decades, ‘he said. In a reference to the Opposition criticism, he said that some people in the country have been trying to blackout this event.
As the Prime Minister continued his address, the members of the Opposition raised noisy scenes in the house, charging the Prime Minister of speaking untruths.
Amid noisy scenes, the PM, in a reference to the Opposition terming the present NDA government as a one third government, said that the opposition statements are welcome as his government has just completed one third of its term and is gearing up for remaining two thirds of its term.
The Prime Minister said that in this election, the people have rejected the politics of religion and voted for politics of trust.
On the Opposition claims that the Constitution is in danger, he said that Constitution is not just a compilation of articles for us.
‘It’s words and spirit are valuable for us. The Constitution is our Lighthouse and gives us a sense of direction, Modi said.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge tried to intervene, but was not given an opportunity by the Chair to speak.
The Opposition urged Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to allow the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to speak. When their demand was not acceded to the entire Opposition staged a walkout from the House.
Terming the Opposition walkout as ‘unfortunate ‘, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said it was a sad day for Democracy.
“Today, they did not leave the House behind, they have left behind dignity, he said.
They did not insult me or you, they insulted the oath of the Constitution that they took. There can be no bigger insult to the Constitution of India than this,’ the Chairman said.
Speaking on the Opposition walkout, the Prime Minister said that the
Opposition is unable to digest the verdict of the people.
‘The country is watching. They can’t hear the truth, that’s why they are running away,” Modi said they are insulting the Upper House and it’s glorious traditions. Continuing with his speech, the PM said that when India becomes the third largest economy, it will have a positive impact not only domestically but also at global level.
The Prime Minister said the government has strengthened the agriculture sector with micro planning ranging from farm to market.
Modi said three crore farmers were beneficiaries of UPA’s loan waiver. He said that NDA’s PM-Kisan scheme benefited over 10 crore farmers.
The Prime Minister said India is today a favourite destination for foreign investors.
He accused congress of having anti-schedule caste mindset as it had insulted former President Ram Nath Kovind.
He said that the people of the country have given them a mandate to protect the constitution, seeking to rebut the opposition claims that it was an election where the danger to the Constitution was an issue.
He said that the Congress is the biggest opponent of the Constitution. He said that during the UPA rule, a body like the NAC was put above the Constitutional post of the Prime Minister.
‘It is these people who call themselves protectors of the Constitution, Modi said.
Terming the Opposition Congress as having double standards on the issue of corruption, the Prime Minister said that on one hand they complained against the corruption of some people and on the other hand they are now charging the government of misusing the Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation against Opposition leaders.
The PM said that war against corruption was his mission.
‘I had stated this publicly after winning the 2014 election, ‘he said.
He said that his government was bolstering the use of technology in its war against corruption. ‘I have given a free hand to law enforcement agencies to act against corruption, ‘the PM said.
On NEET paper leak issue, he assured the students that the strictest punishment will be given to those who are playing with the future of students.
He charged the Opposition with playing politics on the issue.
The Prime Minister said that the battle against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is in the last stage.
He said the government was endeavouring to make the North East as a growth engine of the country.
‘The government has improved connectivity to the North East, ‘he said.
On Manipur, he said the situation is slowly returning to normalcy in the state following several measures taken by the government.
Noting that the state of Manipur is facing a flood threat, he said that teams of NDRF have reached there.
He said that many parties are trying to fuel the situation in Manipur.
The PM said that all parties need to work together to improve the situation in Manipur.
Terming it as a ‘decade of India ‘, he said that we should not miss opportunities to boost India’s progress towards ‘Viksit Bharat ‘.
He said that India is today the first destination for investors.
After the PM’s reply the Chairman put the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address to vote.
The Motion was passed by a voice vote.
With the approval of the Upper House, the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address has received the approval of Parliament.
In his valedictory address, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed concern on the disruptions during the session. He also expressed sadness over the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge entering the well on an occasion.
During his reply to the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, the PM said the government has taken decisive steps for empowerment of women and ensuring their welfare.
‘India has taken decisive steps towards women-led development. Today we are witnessing its results. We have also done a lot of work in the areas of women’s health, sanitation and wellness, ‘the Prime Minister said.
On Manipur, he said the government has taken several steps to restore peace in the state.
”Regarding Manipur, I spoke in detail during the last session. The government is committed to establishing peace there. Towards this end, more than 11000 FIRs have been registered in the state. More than 500 people have been arrested.
As a result of the measures by the government, there has been a decrease in violent incidents in the state. So, it is now possible to hope for peace there. Schools, colleges and offices are now functional. Examinations have also been held there. Students there are continuing their journey of progress, “the Prime Minister said.
Modi said that the state government and the Centre are trying their best to talk to everyone to restore peace in Manipur.
‘Previous governments have not done so. In an effort to restore peace, the Home Minister stayed there for several days. The Minister of State for Home also stayed there for weeks. Officials have been paying regular visits there, ‘the Prime Minister said.
He called on everyone to rise above politics and work for peace in Manipur. He warned those elements who were trying to provoke tensions there, that Manipur will reject them.
Modi said the conflict in Manipur has deep roots. Congress should not forget that President’s Rule was imposed 10 times in Manipur. There must have been difficulties. We haven’t done so. In 1993, too, such things happened in Manipur. It went on for five years. We should learn from history and try our best to restore peace,” the he said.
Referring to the steps taken by the NDA government for welfare of farmers, he said that under the PM Kisan yojana over three lakh crore rupees has been given to farmers.
In this context, he said that during the UPA rule, there was a scheme for
A sum of 60,000 crore rupees loans of farmers have been waived for farmers. However, names of the needy small farmers were not even included in the list of beneficiaries.
The PM also referred to the recent flogging incident in Bengal. “Those who see themselves as progressive female leaders are tongue-tied, he said.
In his valedictory address, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the Opposition has set a ‘dangerous precedent, which is antithetical to democratic values” by walking out during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply during discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address.
Referring to the incident of Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge entering the Well of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, the Chairman said, “It was extremely painful to notice that even the Leader of the Opposition walked into the Well of the House and that was a disgrace to parliamentary conduct and proprietary.”
The Rajya Sabha chairman said while the Prime Minister gave a spirited address while participating in the debate, the House lost 43 minutes due to forced adjournments but the shortfall was made up by continuing discussion during lunch break and sitting beyond the scheduled time.
Later, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House Sine Die.
