Review of Parliament proceedings in Rajya Sabha

Today in Rajya Sabha, giving his farewell remarks, leader of the House Piyush Goyal said the Opposition needs to win the hearts of the public by their work, increase their numbers and become strong but making them strong cannot be the responsibility of the ruling party. ”  ”Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid a copy of the white paper on the economy, which said the Indian economy was on a 'road to nowhere' in 2014 because of the multiple wrong-turns taken during the 10 year of UPA rule, leaving the onus on the Modi Government to deal with the challenges and restore dynamism and optimism in the economy. ”    ”After assuming power in 2014, the Modi Government took "tough decisions" to overcome the "hydra-headed challenges" of runaway fiscal deficit, banking crisis, corruption and scams, the 59-page 'White Paper on the Indian Economy' said. ”    ”The Rajya Sabha also took up for consideration and returned the Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2024, the Appropriation Bill, 2024 and the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bills and the Finance Bill, 2024, to Lok Sabha. ”    ”Replying to the discussion on the bills, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the highlight of the interim budget is on capital expenditure and sustaining pace of economic growth. ”    ”The route we are taking is to spend on public infrastructure and asset creation, which gives better return for the investment made as opposed to revenue expenditure, she said. ”    ”The Finance Minister said spending on capital expenditure results in creation of in-situ jobs and creates a ripple impact on the economy. She said this route has been adopted globally as a sure-shot way to get sustainable growth. ”    ”She also projected a higher GDP growth next year and said the fiscal deficit has been brought down to 5.8 percent. ”    ”She said the Global Hunger Index is not comprehensive survey and raised questions over its data. ”    ”She asserted that tax devolution and grants in aid have been increased in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and no dues are held back from States. ”    ”Whatever recommended by Finance Commission has been given to states, will continue to be given, she said. ”    ”Responding to criticism made by certain MPs on reduction in Budget allocations under various heads, Sitharaman said no major flagship programme has been curtailed nor she has reduced allocation. ”    ”She also informed the House that unemployment rate in rural areas has decreased from 5.3 per cent in 2017 to 2.4 per cent in 2023. ”    ”The Rajya Sabha today bid farewell to 68 members who are retiring this year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering them best wishes. ”    ”Bidding farewell to retiring members, the Prime Minister lauded the contribution of his predecessor Manmohan Singh to the House and the country, and said he will be remembered whenever democracy is discussed. ”    ”He also said that Singh will remain a source of inspiration for all. ”    ”Singh, he noted, came to vote in the Rajya Sabha on a wheelchair to help strengthen democracy. ”    ”The Prime Minister said while the Lok Sabha is adorned with a new look every five years, the Rajya Sabha gets new vitality and energy after every two years, that fills it with an atmosphere of new excitement and enthusiasm. ”    ”That is why, he said the farewell every two years in this House is not a farewell, but leaves a priceless legacy with the indelible memories left behind for the new members. ”    ”Describing the upper house as an "eternal university", he said this House is a symbol of continuity. ”    ”Modi also hoped the retiring members would scale new heights after getting educated here. He also hoped that the country and the new generations would benefit from their experience. ”    ”"I would especially like to remember Dr. Manmohan Singh ji. For six times he has been a member of this House and has made a huge contribution to this House with his valuable thoughts," he said while hailing Singh's contribution. ”  ”"As a leader and also as the Leader of the Opposition, he has made a very big contribution. ”  ”"Whenever our democracy will be discussed, he will be one of those few esteemed members whose contribution will always be remembered," Modi said. ”    ”The Prime Minister said Singh coming on a wheel chair to vote in the House was an inspiring example of a member's dedication to his duties. ”    ”Singh was first elected to the Rajya Sabha in October 1991 after he became the Finance minister. He had six terms in the Rajya Sabha – 1991, 1995, 2001, 2007, 2013 and 2019. ”    ”He is currently a member of the Council of States from Rajasthan and his term ends on April 3, 2024. ”    ”Prime Minister Modi also urges current and future MPs of both the houses to view the lives of senior, retiring MPs as a guiding light and learn from their conduct in life and from the talents they exhibited in their careers. ”    ”The Prime Minister said members who are leaving today had the opportunity to be in both old and new building and they are leaving bearing witness to the 'Amrit Kaal' and 75 years of the Constitution. ”    ”Recalling the time of the Covid pandemic when uncertainties loomed large, he lauded the commitment of MPs for not letting any hindrance come in the way of the functioning of the House. ”    ”He noted the huge risks undertaken by the Members of Parliament to fulfil their responsibilities. ”    ”Modi also expressed deep grief for those members who lost their lives to coronavirus, and said the House accepted it with grace and continued to move forward. ”    ”Quoting ancient scriptures, the prime minister explained that those who keep good company inculcate similar qualities, and those surrounded by bad company become flawed. ”    ”Fondly remembering the contribution of retiring members, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the wisdom shared by them would be greatly missed and their leaving would leave a void. ”    ”"The retirement of our esteemed colleagues will undoubtedly leave a void. It is often said that 'every beginning has an end and every end has a new beginning'," he said. ”    ”Wishing members that they continue to be actively engaged in public life while serving the nation in various capacities, he said one never retires from public service. ”    ”"These hallowed chambers of Parliament are the sanctum sanctorum of the temple of democracy. It’s a distinct honour and a rare privilege to be able to serve our motherland from the platform of this House. ”    ”"This very House represents the diversity of views that our vibrant democracy shares but at the same time it reflects the unity of our purpose as well. We are here with a singular commitment of serving this great land," the chairman said in his remarks. ”    ”He also said that the use of Indian languages increased and Dogri, Kashmiri, Konkani and Santhali were used for the first time during discussions in the House. Arrangements were put in place for the members to speak in any of the 22 languages, he said. ”    ”He also recalled that the panel of Vice-chairpersons underwent a new change with many first time members presiding over the Council. ”    ”Dhankhar said working with them and serving them as Chairman is an honour beyond description. ”  ”"The rich contributions by our retiring colleagues have significantly enhanced the quality of discourse that is vital to our nation," he noted. ”  ”Among those retiring are five of our esteemed women members, Jaya Bachchan, Vandana Chavan, Kanta Kardam, Sonal Mansingh and Amee Yajnik, he said, adding that all were on the panel of vice chairpersons. ”  ”Dhankhar said amongst those who are retiring are also nine Ministers – Dharmendra Pradhan, Narayan Rane, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mansukh Mandaviya, Bhupendra Yadav, Parshottam Rupala, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, V Muraleedharan, L Murugan, and all of them have served this country with distinction by steering their respective ministries to greater heights. ”  ”"I am sure that their guidance and mentorship will certainly be available for new members," he noted. ”As Presiding Officer, he said, he will surely miss their participation in the deliberations of the House. ”  ”Leader of Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged the government to ensure proper scrutiny of legislative bills by parliamentary panels and said enactment of laws should not be done in haste, a charge that the opposition has made against the government. ”  ”Kharge recalled former vice president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan's words that the second chamber (Rajya Sabha) of Parliament is essential to prevent hasty legislation. ”  ”He said the ruling party enjoys a majority and thus, gets bills passed anyway. ”  ”He emphasised that bills should first be scrutinised by parliamentary panels, such as standing committees and joint parliamentary committees. ”  ”He said a scrutiny of bills provides an opportunity to parliamentarians to examine those properly. ”  ”He also lamented that the opposition parties do not get adequate time to raise issues in the House. ”  ”Kharge's speech evoked some light moments and laughter in the House as he recalled his years-long friendship with Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda. ”  ”Kharge lauded the achievements of the previous Manmohan Singh government during its 10-year tenure. Singh too is retiring from the House. ”  ”Devegowda said,"Mr Kharge, do you want to become the prime minister of this country? Will Congress tolerate (it)? Please tell me, I know (the) Congress." ”  ”Devegowda said he has not jumped from one party to another in his life to get any personal gains. ”  ”"I want to save my party when some of the Congressmen want to destroy the party. I have taken the decision to extend my support to BJP. That is the only reason," he said, and turning to Kharge, he added it was not for personal benefit. ” ”The love and affection shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the only thing "which I have got as a benefit from the current prime minister", he said. ” ”"When my son was removed by Congress that is the day I told my son to go with BJP. That day I told this Congress cannot allow you to grow. I told Kumaraswamy to go with BJP," Devegowda said. ” ”In his speech, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya recollected the guidance of late Arun Jaitley and also narrated an incident when senior politician and chairman of a parliamentary standing committee K C Tyagi removed him from the board of the panel for remaining absent in four consecutive meetings, teaching him parliamentary discipline. ” ”Retiring member Jaya Bachchan of Samajwadi Party said the best experience during her stint has been that "my family has become bigger". She wished for more strength to the remaining members so that the Upper House does not become "irrelevant" and stays powerful and honourable like before. ” ”In his farewell speech, Prakash Javadekar of the BJP said as a minister he cleared defence projects which were pending due to the environment clearances. ” ”Union Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said he witnessed dramatic transformation of the country in the last ten years and recollected debates on the 2G scam, spectrum auction, NPAs, 'One rank, One pension' (OROP), net neutrality and data protection in the House. ” ”Union minister Bhupender Yadav noted that the Upper House in future should also think about ways to strengthen the working of the committees to reach a political consensus. ” ”    Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan thanked the party leadership and Maharashtra legislature for nominating him to the Rajya Sabha and said it was a reflection of admiration and affection of PM Modi towards Kerala. ”Taking part in the farewell to retiring members, Sasmit Patra of Biju Janata Dal said each of the members have enthralled and added to the richness of the Upper House. ” ”Sukhendu Sekhar Ray of AITC hoped that the member would continue to work for their parties and the people in general. ” ”Tiruchi Siva of DMK, K Keshava Rao of BRS Narain Dass Gupta of AAP, Vashishtha Narayan Singh JD(U), Sulata Deo of BJD, Md Nadimul Haque of AITC, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar of TDP Amee Yajnik, Naranbhai J Rathwa both Congress, GK Vasan of TMC (M) and B Lingaiah Yadav of BRS also spoke during the day. Union minister Purushotham Rupala spoke in Gujarati. ” ”

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Review of Parliament proceedings in Rajya Sabha