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PremiumParliament special session: Parliament proceedings on Tuesday began at the new building. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke for the first time in the new Lok Sabha. PM Modi backed more women's participation in the country. He also said that the cabinet has given its nod to much much-awaited women's reservation bill. Before this, PM Modi addressed MPs in the old Parliament. PM Modi proposed to name the old Parliament "Samvidhan Sadan". "My suggestion is that as we are going to the new building, the glory of this building should never decline. It should not be called just the old Parliament... It can be named Samvidhan Sadan," Modi said.
Check the latest updates on Parliament's Special Session at Mint's LIVE blog:
“Across the length and breadth of India, people are rejoicing the introduction of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament. It shows the unwavering commitment of the Modi Government to empower women. Sadly, the Opposition is unable to digest this. And, what is more shameful is that except tokenism, the Congress has never been serious about women's reservation. Either they let legislations lapse or their friendly parties prevented the Bill from being tabled. Their double standards will never be hidden, whatever stunts they try to take credit," he wrote on X.
“I am proud to extend the YSR Congress Party’s support to the Women Reservation Bill. Empowering our women is of utmost importance to us…" tweeted Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Mallikarjun Kharge and Nirmala Sitharaman engaged in a war of words on Tuesday after after the former claimed that political parties picked “weak women" as candidates and “won't choose those who're educated and can fight."
“Largely, ladies from backward and scheduled castes are not that literate. Their literacy rate is low, because of which all political parties have a habit of nominating weak women. They won't choose those who're educated and can fight. I know how backwards and scheduled caste people are chosen by political parties," the Congress leader said.
The Women's Reservation Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, sparking outrage in the Opposition ranks. The Congress dubbed it "election jumla" and flagged the need to publish the 2021 census before the Lok Sabha elections. Party leaders asserted that it would take several years for the reservation to come into effect even as LoP Malliarjun Kharge noted that a similar bill had come close to passing in 2010.
Read more: ‘Huge betrayal, election jumla’: Why is Congress protesting against Women's Reservation Bill?
“Who are you giving representation to? Those who don't have representation should be given representation. The major flaw in this bill is that there is no quota for Muslim women and so we are against it," he said.
“…the government is presenting an important constitutional amendment bill. The aim of the bill is to expand the participation of women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Through the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', our democracy will be strengthened," Modi said.
“I congratulate our mothers, sisters and daughters for it. I assure them that we are committed to ensure that this bill becomes a law... I request all members of both Houses, to pass this bill with unanimity," he added.
“...They don't give us credit but I want to bring to their notice that the Women Reservation Bill was already passed in 2010 but it was stopped..." said Leader of LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
“Today a bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha. After discussion, it will come here also. Today we are taking an important step towards women empowerment..." he told the Rajya Sabha.
“...we did not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha but we were confident that the Rajya Sabha would rise above political thinking and take decisions in the interest of the country. Because of your (MPs) maturity, we were able to take difficult decisions..." he said.
The government on Tuesday introduced a constitutional amendment bill to reserve one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.
The bill be named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
However, its implementation may still take some time and is unlikely to be in force for the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as the reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed.
The bill has proposed that the reservation would continue for a period of 15 years and there will be quota for SC/STs within the reserved seats for women.
Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise.
Lok Sabha adjourned till 20th September, speaker Om Birla said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposal to rename old Parliament building to ‘Samvidhan Sadan’.
This is the first bill that has been introduced in the new Parliament building.
The Bill guarantees a 33% quota in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The reservation will come into effect after a delimitation exercise is undertaken and will continue for 15 years. Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise, according to the bill.
“This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33% of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of people…," Union Law Minister said.
As Opposition demands clarity on women's quota bill, BJP leaders say the revolutionary bill has been uploaded and can be viewed by the MPs.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tables the Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the cabinet had approved a bill to block one-third seats in the lower house of parliament for women.
PM Modi, in his first speech at new Parliament building said the cabinet had approved a bill to block one-third seats in the lower house of parliament for women.
“Work on women-led development is indispensable," PM Modi.
“Whatever we do in this new Parliament building, it should be an inspiration to every citizen of the country," PM Narendra Modi said.
“I ensure all MPs will behave in a disciplinary manner in this new building".
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to introduce Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha today.
PDP Cheif Mehbooba Mufti spoke about the significance of passing women's reservation bill. She said that being a woman, she faced several challenges in male-dominate dpolitical scene. "I think this is high time that we have women in the decision-making places, whether it is assemblies or Parliament," Mufti said.
As PM Modi enters new Lok Sabha of the new Parliament, he greeted his colleagues.
MPs follow PM Modi toward the new Parliament building from Gate 4.
The building, with a diameter of 560 feet and circumference of a third of a mile, was designed by Sir Herbert Baker who, along with Sir Edwin Lutyens, was chosen to design the new imperial capital in Delhi.
Opened on January 18, 1927, by Lord Irwin -- the then viceroy -- amid fanfare, the landmark has witnessed colonial rule, the Second World War, the dawn of Independence, the adoption of the Constitution, and the passage of many legislations -- some landmark and many controversial.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha and Rajya sabha MPs heed toward India's new parliament.
Parliament's special session LIVE: “The dignity of old Parliament should never fade away. This old building should be called as ‘Constitution House’ of India," PM Modi makes suggestion at Central Hall.
Parliament's special session LIVE: “Every law made in the Parliament, every discussion held in the Parliament, and every signal given by the Parliament should encourage the Indian aspiration. This is our responsibility and the expectation of each and every Indian. Whatever reforms are made here, Indian aspiration should be our priority. Can anyone ever make a big picture on a small canvas? Just as we cannot make a big picture on a small canvas, in the same way, if we cannot enlarge the canvas of our thinking, we will not be able to paint a picture of a grand India," PM Modi said.
Parliament's special session: “India must move to bigger canvas now to reach its rightful place, there is no time for focusing on smaller issues," PM Modi said.
Parliament Special Session LIVE: “It is our privilege that we got the opportunity to abrogate Article 370 from this Parliament," PM Modi said on Tuesday
Parliament Special Session LIVE: “Since 1952, 41 heads of states from across the world have addressed our MPs in the Central Hall and more than 4,000 laws have been passed by Parliament in the last seven decades," PM Modi said.
“Zero effect, zero defect" should be the goal of India's manufacturing sector. Bharat needs to develop high-quality of agricutural product and technology to compete globally, says PM Modi.
Parliament Special Session LIVE: “The world is talking about Bharat's Aatmanirbhar Bharat model…One need heart to work for the nation".
“Bharat is 5th largest economy but it is moving with resolve to be among top three economies," PM Modi
“Today, we are going to do 'Shree Ganesha' of new future as we move to the new Parliament building," PM Modi
PM Modi and other Parliamentarians gathered for the last time in the old Central Hall of Parliament. In just a few hours, all MPs will shift to new building.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal says the new Parliament building will become the identity of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday said the new building of the Parliament is the symbol of the new and emerging Bharat.
"Today onwards, our two Houses of the Parliament shall have sittings in the new Parliament building. We all know that this Central Hall has witnessed the transfer of power from Britain to Bharat...I am very happy and enthusiastic about the functions of the two Houses of the Parliament henceforth from the new building which is the symbol of new and emerging Bharat paving the way for a developed nation, as envisaged by Prime Minister, by 2047," Joshi added.
Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury during the special session of the Day 2 of the Parliament said that India's unemployment rate is posing a significant hurdle. Chowdhury said, "Despite India being the world's highest economy, our per capita GDP falls far behind that of developed nations. Tackling this economic growth challenge requires pro-growth government policies, mentoring low inflation, reducing interest rates, alleviating unemployment, fostering a skilled workforce, bolstering purchasing power, stimulating demand, and enhancing the healthcare and education sector...".
"This is a historic day today and I am proud to be a part of this historic moment. We are going to a New Building and hopefully, this grand edifice will reflect the aspirations of a new Bharat. Today, I have been entrusted with the responsibility of addressing this esteemed assembly as the most senior parliamentarian in the Lok Sabha... I have spent most of my adult life in this institution and I have seen 7 Prime Ministers and the shaping of grand history. I had several terms as an independent member and finally joined the BJP under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Since then I have remained a proud member of BJP and this August House. I have tried to make the most of every minute I have spent here," Maneka Gandhi said.
Dressed in colourful attire, members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday got their group photograph clicked in the old Parliament building, hours before legislative proceedings shift to the new Parliament House.
Security personnel were seen wearing new uniforms on day 2 of the ongoing special session of the Parliament. The security offers donned army camouflage fatigues instead of blue safari suits.
Those involved in legislative work has been allotted cream jackets, cream shirt with pink lotus printed on them, and khaki trousers.
BJP MP Narhari Amin fainted during the group photo session of Parliamentarians.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the joint photo session ahead of today's Parliament Session in new building.
The Members of Parliament have gathered for a joint photo session.
The proceeding of the House will take place in the New Parliament Building from today.
Amid the special Session of the Parliament, one of the key demands of the MPs of political parties is the passing of the women's reservation bill. The supporters of the women's quota bill are demanding 33% of reservations in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
A Joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by Geeta Mukherjee had examined the 1996 Bill and made seven recommendations. It was later reintroduced in 1998 and 1999. However, the last concrete development on the issue was in 2010 when Rajya Sabha passed the bill amid a ruckus with marshals escorting out some MPs who opposed the move but the bill lapsed as it could not be passed by Lok Sabha.
While the BJP and the Congress have always supported the bill, opposition by other parties and demands from some for quota for backward classes within the women's quota have been key sticking points.
In the present Lok Sabha, 78 women members were elected which account for less than 15% of the total strength of 543.
In Rajya Sabha too, women's representation is about 14%
States like Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura and Puducherry have less than 10% women representation.
Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttrakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi had 10-12% women MLAs.
Chattisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand led the charts with 14.44%, 13.7% and 12.35% women MLAs.
Minister of State Prahlad Singh Patel on Monday posted on social media platform X that the Cabinet has approved the women's reservation bill, but deleted the post within an hour.
Meanwhile Congress party veteran Sonia Gandhi has reacted on this debate. She said, ""It is ours, Apna Hai". WATCH VIDEO:
