New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Jagran English focuses on all the top news of the day to give our readers a brief insight about what’s happening in the world and how it might impact them.
Today the Winter Session of the Parliament will begin today and thus we will focus on the it. The session will run till December 13. This is going to be the second Parliament session of the BJP-led NDA government after it won the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.
Meanwhile, we will also focus on the power tussle in Maharashtra. Today, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi will meet and discuss about forming a coalition with the Shiv Sena.
Apart from it, we will focus on all the other top-rated news items of the day to help our readers stay updated and well informed.
Here are the highlights of November 18:
18:09 pm: Parliament Winter Session | From Citizenship to Chit Funds, government eyes passage of six key bills
17:31 pm: Maharashtra Power Tussle | "I had talked to Sanjay Raut ji about a compromise. I suggested him a formula of 3 years (CM from BJP) and 2 years (CM from Shiv Sena) to which he said that if BJP agrees then Shiv Sena can think about it. I will discuss this with BJP," says Union Minister Ramdas Athawale
16:59 pm: Maharashtra Power Tussle | Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar arrives to meet Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi at her residence.
14:43 pm: Parliament Winter Session | The Rajya Sabha is about checks and balance. This is absolutely essential for our democracy. Debates have to be many and effective. But, there is also a difference between: Checking and clogging. Balance and blocking: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:40 pm: Parliament Winter Session | In 2003, Atal Ji had said that the Rajya Sabha may be the second house but no one should think of it as a secondary house. Today, I echo the sentiments of Atal Ji and add that the Rajya Sabha must be a vibrant supportive house for national progress: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:39 pm: Parliament Winter Session | We can never forget the role of the Rajya Sabha when Bills pertaining to Articles 370 and 35(A) were passed. This House has worked to further unity: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:37 pm: Parliament Winter Session | Our Constitution inspires us to work for a Welfare State. It also motivates us to work for the welfare of states. The Rajya Sabha, as the Council of States enables us to further the spirit of cooperative federalism: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:35 pm: Parliament Winter Session | Whenever it has been about national good, the Rajya Sabha has risen to the occasion and made a strong contribution. It was believed that the Bill on Triple Talaq would not pass here but it did. Even GST became a reality after it was passed in the Rajya Sabha: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:33 pm: Parliament Winter Session | It was the maturity of this House that passed the Triple Talaq bill, a major move in women empowerment. It was this brave house that passed the Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections in India as well: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:32 pm: Parliament Winter Session | If we analyse the 250 sessions of the Rajya Sabha, it has passed several Bills that have gone on to become Laws in the country, defining governance in the country: PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:31 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "Who can forget that it was through the Rajya Sabha that a stalwart like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar could contribute even more to national progress," says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:30 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "The RS has benefitted from scientists, people from the field of arts and sports and more such people, who may not have been elected democratically. Baba Saheb himself is a great example of this. He may not have been elected to the LS, but came to RS," says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:28 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "The Rajya Sabha gives an opportunity to those away from electoral politics to contribute to the nation and its development," says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:28 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "The Rajya Sabha is eternal and diverse. The Lok Sabha may stop, but the RS never starts and never will. India's diversity is always inspiring us in this house and is clearly at display in the RS," says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:27 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "Two things about the Rajya Sabha stand out: It’s permanent nature. I can say that it is eternal and it is also representative of India’s diversity. This House gives importance to India’s federal structure," says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:24 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "I am happy to be participating in a special discussion to mark a special occasion, the 250th of the Rajya Sabha. The makers of our Constitution envisioned a bicameral legislative framework and this vision has enriched our democracy," says PM Modi in Rajya Sabha
14:21 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "Happy to witness 250th Session of Rajya Sabha," says PM Modi.
14:18 pm: Parliament Winter Session | PM Modi addresses Rajya Sabhaon the 250th session of the house
14:01 pm: Parliament Winter Session | PM Modi to address Rajya Sabha shortly on the 250th session of the house.
13:35 pm: Parliament Winter Session | There should be no politics on this issue. I will appoint 2-3 senior officials and Delhi government should also appoint 2-3 officials who can conduct inquiry and get water samples checked and we'll put report in public: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan in Lok Sabha on quality of tap water in Delhi
13:33 pm: Parliament Winter Session | The Rajya Sabha will have a special discussion marking the 250th session of this august House. PM Modi will be speaking in the House at around 2 PM: Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
The Rajya Sabha will have a special discussion marking the 250th session of this august House.
PM @narendramodi will be speaking in the House at around 2 PM. — PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 18, 2019
13:13 pm: Parliament Winter Session | BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad and Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury at the Parliament today.
12:59 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "This is regarding development of Lakshadweep, most officers deputed there are from DANICS (NCT of Delhi,Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Civil Service), they do not understand the local issues," says Lakshadweep MP Faizal PP Mohammaed in Lok Sabha.
"We have sent a proposal to MHA to extended service of DANICS to local people so that issues peculiar to Lakshadweep can be addressed properly and the area gets developed. We request MHA to look at the proposal seriously," he added.
12:58 pm: Parliament Winter Session | Actor and TMC MP Nusrat Jahan is not attending the Parliament session today. She was admitted to Apollo Hospital in West Bengal's Kolkata yesterday due to some respiratory issue.
12:19 pm: Parliament Winter Session | Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm
12:18 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "It has been 108 days today since Farooq Abdullah Ji was detained. Yeh kya zulm ho raha hai? We want that he should be brought to the Parliament. It is his constitutional right," says Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
12:05 pm: Parliament Winter Session | Stop attacking the opposition, release Farooq Abdullah, we want justice: Opposition MPs in Lok Sabha
12:03 pm: Parliament Winter Session | "Arun Jaitely was an ocean of knowledge, a master of vocabulary, a person of integrity. His performance on both the sides of this House is still remembered. He was so magnanimous in waiving off GST on sanitary napkins, considering the woes of poor women," DMK's Tiruchi Siva in Rajya Sabha
11:31 am: Parliament Winter Session | "People like* Jaitley ji are not a loss to a party alone but the entire country. I pray that his soul rests in peace," Congress' GN Azad
11:31 am: Parliament Winter Session | "I had known Arun Jaitley personally. The rare political sourness between us used to turn into sweetness due to our personal relations. From his student life till his death, his life remained very active. He was a good student, good orator and a good leader," Congress' GN Azad
11:27 am: Parliament Winter Session | Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi protests in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament premises against rising air pollution levels.
11:23 am: Parliament Winter Session | Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament. The government recently withdrew SPG cover of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The government has accorded them Z Plus security.
11:15 am: Parliament Winter Session | Section 144 has been imposed near the Parliament ahead of the protest march by Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union, reports ANI
11:14 am: Parliament Winter Session | BJP MP Manoj Tiwari arrives at the Parliament riding a bicycle.
11:14 am: Parliament Winter Session | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla pays tribute to Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Ram Jethmalani
11:13 am: Parliament Winter Session | TMC has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over detention of National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah.
11:13 am: Parliament Winter Session | "It is incumbent upon the govt to run the House smoothly so that Opposition parties will be able to express their views, articulate their opinion in an appropriate manner. This is the essence of Parliamentary democracy," says Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
11:12 am: Parliament Winter Session | "We also expect from the PM & the ruling party that all the issues concerning to the interest of the common people must be allowed to be discussed inside the Parliament. Parliament is meant for discussion, debate & dialogue," says Congress' Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
10:46 am: Parliament Winter Session | Rajya Sabha MPs Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohammed Fayaz protest in the Parliament premises over Jammu and Kashmir issue.
10:38 am: Parliament Winter Session | Shiv Sena has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over loss of crops due to heavy rainfall in Maharashtra.
10:37 am: Parliament Winter Session | Congress party has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha over "Instability in J&K post abrogation of Article 370"
10:37 am: Parliament Winter Session | Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrives for winter session of the Parliament.
10:26 am: "Hope this session will also help in the development of the country," said PM Modi.
10:24 pm: "In the past few days I had the opportunity to meet leaders of almost all political parties. The last session was phenomenal due to the support of and active participation all MPs, that is an achievement of not only the government or the treasury bench but The entire Parliament," said PM Modi.
10:19 am: "This is the last Parliament session of 2019. It is very important because this the 250th Parliament session of the Rajya Sabha. During this session, on 26th, we will observe the Constitution Day - when our Constitution completes its 70 years," said PM Modi in his address.
10:18 am: Ahead of the Parliament's Winter Session, PM Modi addressed the media today.
9:36 AM: Justice SA Bobde takes oath as Chief Justice of India
9:16 am: Justice SA Bobde leaves for Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will take over as Chief Justice of India today; President Ram Nath Kovind to administer him the oath of office.
9:14 am: 10 killed, over 20 injured in bus-truck collision in Rajasthan's Bikaner
8:56 am: CK Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to hold a high-level meeting on air pollution today. The meeting to be attended by Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, reports ANI
8:12 am: As per the data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in Delhi's ITO is at 215 which falls in the 'poor category'.
8:02 am: Delhi: Schools in Delhi-NCR reopened today. All schools in Delhi-NCR were closed on Nov 14-15 (Thursday and Friday) due to rise in pollution levels. As per the air quality index (AQI) data by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), today RK Puram is at 184 - in 'Moderate' category.
7:59 am: Justice SA Bobde will take oath as the 47th CJI today. He will serve as CJI for nearly 18 months and retire on April 23, 2021. He will be administered the oath of office of Chief Justice of India by President Ram Nath Kovind.