Parliament Diary

Parliament met for the 9^th sitting of the Winter Session today.

Lok Sabha Discussed the Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2014.

The Bill seeks to repeal 90 laws and pass amendments to two laws. Of the 90 Acts, 88 are being repealed entirely. According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the Bill is a periodic measure for updating the list of laws in force. The enactments addressed in the Bill have either ceased to be in force, have become obsolete or their retention as separate Acts is unnecessary.  

Lok Sabha also continued its discussion on natural calamities in various parts of the country.

In Rajya Sabha, protests continued by Opposition Parties over remarks made by a Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Upper House and stated that he strongly disapproved of the language used by the concerned Minister. He further stated that since the Minister had already asked for an apology, the House should continue its work.

Anand Sharma demanded that the Minister should be removed as what she had said was not in keeping with the constitution. Sitaram Yechury stated that while the Prime Minister had expressed regret about the statements made by the Minister, he had not taken any action. 

The Upper House was unable to conduct any legislative business and was adjourned early again today. 

A statement was also given in Parliament by the Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu about an incident where a vehicle carrying 22 school children dashed against a train at an unmanned crossing in the Varanasi division of the North-eastern railway. The Minister added that there are 11,000 unmanned crossings in India and that he is working on steps to address such accidents.