Parliament Updates: Lok Sabha passes NDIAC Bill 2019 for creation of International Arbitration Centre, allots Rs 30 cr

Lok Sabha | Govt has allotted Rs 30 crores for the arbitration centre, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

​Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that New Delhi would become the global hub of arbitration and India must have good lawyers, teachers and a robust set of good arbitrators who are honest and transparent.

“There is going to be an Arbitration Council of India, headed by a former chief justice of India. They will individually give reports, which will be a global benchmark for institutions,” he said adding that imperialism in arbitration is not acceptable.

The government has given Rs 30 crore to this centre, including land. Since 1995 till 2018 end, only 55 cases were referred to the existing arbitration panel, including only four international arbitrations, Prasad told the Lok Sabha. He said the new international arbitration centre will have a panel consisting of former SC, HC judges, law secretary and a finance department representative.

Rajya Sabha | India’s national flower, NRC, Article 370 and more…
 

• As many as 93 terrorists have been neutralised by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir since the Pulwama terror attack, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha.
• There is no official nomenclature to accord martyrdom status to the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the Rajya Sabha was informed by Union Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai.
• Reddy told Rajya Sabha that at present, Article 370 is contained as a temporary provision with respect to Jammu and Kashmir in Part XXI (Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions) of the Constitution.
• The government has not given the status of ’national flower’ to any flower, Rai said in Rajya Sabha, adding that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified ‘Tiger’ and ‘Peacock’ as the ’national animal’ and ’national bird’ respectively through notifications issued in 2011.
• Rai did not give a reply to a question asked by Ritabrata Banerjee, an independent Rajya Sabha MP, on whether the National Registrar of Citizens (NRC), currently being updated in Assam, will be undertaken in West Bengal too. In a written reply, Rai said, “The NRC is being implemented at present in the state of Assam only as per the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the provisions contained in the Schedule framed under Rule 4A(4) of Citizenship Rules, 2003.”

Rajya Sabha | TMC’s Ahamed Hassan demanded that Sri Lankan refugees residing in Tamil Nadu since three decades be granted citizenship

A demand to give Indian citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees residing in Tamil Nadu for almost three decades was made in the Rajya Sabha. Ahamed Hassan of the TMC made the demand through a Zero Hour mention during the brief period that the House functioned in the pre-noon session.

– PTI

Lok Sabha | Efforts will be wasted if institution does not attract international parties, says Congress’ Shashi Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the highest standards need to be maintained if the government wants international institutions come to India for arbitration. “This is where the bill disappoints. We have to overcome inefficiencies of the past and existing inefficiencies of court process. Independence of arbitration is key to why institutions choose an arbitration centre. The influence over the arbitration centre would work against perception of its autonomy. There is a need to remove the terms governing the centre’s direction and control,” he said.​

Tharoor also sought the targeted development of younger professionals who are trained in arbitration and maintenance of transparency must be essential.

Lok Sabha | Proceedings of Lower House extended

Lok Sabha | Many ambiguities plague NDIAC Bill, 2019, says TDP’s Jayadev Galla​

TDP’s Jayadev Galla said that the NDIAC Bill, 2019 may have its positives, it is plagued by many ambiguities, including those concerning the autonomy and funding of the arbitration centre. “The central government will have power to remove officers, but people would prefer neutral decision-making authority, especially where the opposition is a PSU,” he said.

The Bill leaves aside procedures and timelines for resolving disputes, Galla pointed out, fearing that this may lead the NDIAC to the same fate as the ICADR. “SIAC in Singapore was established with government funds, but operates like an independent body now,” he said.

He also said that regional centres are important for the success of the NDIAC and requested for a centre in Amravati.

Lok Sabha | Endless spate of litigations will continue unless Indian laws are tightened, says BJD’s Pinaki Mishra

“I have been to SIAC, Singapore and witnessed arbitrations. Why do Indians go there for arbitration? Despite amendments, Indian Arbitration Act has too many loopholes. Unless you tighten Indian laws, which continue to be porous, the endless spate of litigations will continue. Retired judges don’t have dates to give for 6-8 months. If they cannot give dates to the courts, the same may happen with arbitration centre. Sections regarding operations of the organisation need to be given teeth,” BJD’s Pinaki Mishra said. He concluded by commending the government on its efforts to improve ease of doing business.

Lok Sabha | Introduction of bills that lapsed with dissolution of 16th Lok Sabha a criminal waste of public money, says BJD’s Pinaki Mishra

BJD’s Pinaki Mishra said that the NDIAC Bill is the fifth bill that has come again in Lok Sabha after dissolution of 16th Lok Sabha. “This is a criminal waste of public money and replication of work. I have been told 28 bills remain pending after being lapsed. A simple amendment to the Article 107 of the Constitution would remedy this,” he said.

Lok Sabha | Shiv Sena’s Vinayak Raut voices suppost for NDIAC Bill 2019

Offering support to the NDIAC Bill, 2019, Vinayak Raut of the Shiv Sena said that Delhi is an international city and also the capital and apt to house the arbitration centre. “The Bill, which seeks appointment of SC, HC judges and experts from legal sector, is a good step,” he said.

Rajya Sabha | During talk of adjournment, Opposition demands presence of Finance Minister during Budget discussion

While deciding on the adjournment of Rajya Sabha, it was decided that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister would request the Finance Minister to be present in the House tomorrow from the morning. Congress member Anand Sharma on being told that the Opposition should discuss the Budget on 11 July said that there was a reason behind the protests today. “Our party, the Congress, and the entire Opposition is serious about this budget debate,” he said.

Lok Sabha | A lot of international disputes take place these days: Saugata Roy

“What was the great urgency of promulgating an ordinance regarding this Bill?” Saugata Roy, Trimanool Congress MP, said.

“Arbitration is definitely a better way of dealing with contractual disputes…the abritrator is normally a retired judge,” Roy said. “Nowadays, there are a lot of international disputes taking place. Many contracts are given to foreign companies,” he added.

Lok Sabha | Reputed, qualified arbitrators is what The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill is providing: Meenakshi Lekhi

“I’m surprised to know that when big industrialists go for arbitration, they choose London instead of New Delhi,” said BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi in Lok Sabha.

“Reputed, qualified arbitrators is what this Bill is providing,” she said.

Lok Sabha | Discussions begin on The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2019

The aim of the New Delhi Arbitration Centre is to make India the centre of domestic and international arbitration, says Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The Sri Krishna Committee report recommended that the centre must be taken over by the government, he said.

Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the intention of the Bill is noble, but it appears ambitious in terms of execution. “The experience of fast track courts in our country is dismal. We need to device newer methods for expediting arbitration cases through infrastructure and awareness. The Indian judiciary has a greater responsibility to guard and ensure state policies are economically beneficial for the country. Appropriate infrastructure is required before turning India to a hub of arbitration destination,” he said.

Rajya Sabha | Upper house adjourned till 11 July

Amid protests over the Karnataka crisis, Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 11 am on 11 July.

Lok Sabha | Increase in budgets for welfare of SCs, STs, women and North East, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Speaking amid protests by Opposition leaders, Nirmala Sitharaman said there has been a marked increase in the 2019-20 Budget for the welfare of women, SCs and STs. While there is a 30 percent increase in funds for welfare of SCs, there is a 29.3 percent increase for STs with respect to the same. “A 10.2 percent increase in funds allocated for women has been made, along with a 13.6 percent increase in funds for the welfare of children,” she said.

The Finance Minister also states that there has been a 25.5 percent increase in funds allocated for the North East region.

Lok Sabha | As protests continue, some Opposition leaders leave the House

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the allocation of MNREGS was at Rs 61,081 crore, there is an increase of Rs 5,000 crore this Budget. “PMAY (Rural) was Rs 19,900 crore and got an additional Rs 10,000 crore in 2018-19. CPI (Consumer Price Inflation) has come down to 0.3 percent from 3.4 percent,” she said. In between her speech, protests by members ended with some Opposition leaders leaving the House.

Lok Sabha | Protests begin in Lower House

As Nirmala Sitharaman begins her speech on the MPs’ charges that MGNREGS, PMAY have not been allocated enough funds, the protests grow louder in the House.

Lok Sabha | Agricultural exports shall double by 2022, says Nirmala Sitharaman

“Farmers have never stood in lines for fertilisers since our government came to power,” Nirmala Sitharaman told Lok Sabha, adding that MSPs have risen for all 22 commodities. She also told the House that agricultural exports shall double by 2022 due to the government’s policies. She said that market reforms are the government’s focus.​

Sitharaman said that the government is working on a pension scheme for farmers called Pradhan Mantri Maan Samman Yojana. 

“Of the 272 MS Swaminiathan recommendations, many have already been implemented by our government. 5.61 crore farmers have been covered under insurance schemes between 2018 and 2019,” she said.

Rajya Sabha | Protests continue as Suresh Prabhu delivers speech

Suresh Prabhu has been delivering his speech on the Union Budget, but protests by Congress MPs in the Rajya Sabha’s well cause chaos in the House. MPs have been chanting slogans like ‘Horse Trading bandh karo’ and ‘loktantra ki hatya bandh karo’.

Lok Sabha | Rs 10,000 crore at disposal of NDRF to deal with calamities in 2019

Lok Sabha | Opposition raises objections to sections of Nirmala Sitharaman’s reply

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave her reply on the debate on the Union Budget, the Opposition raised objections. “Listening carefully doesn’t mean we allow wrong information to be given,” a member of the Opposition said as Speaker Om Birla appealed to them to maintain decorum.

Lok Sabha | Nirmala Sitharaman says Budget gives ‘big picture’ of Narendra Modi 2.0 govt

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her reply on the debate on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday said that this Budget gave a “big picture” of the Narendra Modi 2.0 government. 

She also said that the projected strength made in the Budget 2019-20 “is realistic and reflective of the goals” of the government. She said, “This Budget certainly comes at a time when an Interim Budget had already been presented and it’s the last year of the 14th Finance Commission. This Budget has two bookends and it gives a big picture of this newly elected government which has returned to power with a bigger mandate.”

She also said that the Budget “took care” of the “kisaan of the country”. She said, “We have ensured cash transfers of Rs 6,000 for all farmers throughout the country and not just a few.”

Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings amid continued protests from Opposition

While Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered her reply in the general discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha resumed proceedings after being repeatedly adjourned since Tuesday. However, Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans over the Karnataka political crisis.

Lok Sabha | Nirmala Sitharaman says Centre is committed to boost health, education sectors

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed concerns raised during the general discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday said, “This is the second Budget after the implementation of the GST from 1 July 2017. This Budget 2019-20 reflects the government’s commitment to substantially boost investment in agriculture, health, and education.

“There need not be any anxiety that sectors like education or health will suffer, as we have planned to achieve this through prudent rationalisation of the resources.”

Lok Sabha | Nirmala Sitharaman begins speech on Union Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman begins her speech by thanking the MPs for “actively” participating in the discussion on the Union Budget. “I feel reassured that this House will give maximum attention to the economy. ‘Sabka saath, sabka vikas’, will be the focus of this government,” she said.

Lok Sabha | Congress MP from Faridkot recites poetry during general discussion

Mohammad Sadique of the Congress from Faridkot said his “heart was broken” by the Union Budget. “My heart was broken by the Union Budget. I had expected the moon and stars, but I got just the plain night. Exaggerated promises were made in 2014 too, they had said that the farmers would get double the profit, that every poor would get Rs 15 lakhs, but that didn’t happen.

“When people ask what Congress did in the last 70 years, they should ask their grandparents how much progress has happened. They should think a little before making such statements,” he said, in an impassioned speech.

Speaker Om Birla, while asking him to wrap up his speech, said, “For today, this much of your poetry is enough, we’ll here the rest of it some other time.”

Lok Sabha | Mohammad Akbar Lone says Union Budget doesn’t make enough considerations for Jammu and Kashmir

National Conference leader Mohammad Akbar Lone said that the Union Budget did not offer anything for the healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir. “There are no funds given to the road infrastructure in the state,” he said. He also requested the Centre to ensure that the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway due to the Amarnath Yatra in the state is curbed, as it cuts off the communication and affects the livelihoods of the people.

S Ramalingam of the DMK, an MP from Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu, said in his maiden speech as a member of the Lok Sabha, said, “I request the Centre to put an end to the hydrocarbon methane projects in my constituency. I request the prime minister to cancel the agreement made with ONGC, Vedanta and other companies, and also to declare the Kauvery delta region as a specially protected zone.”

Lok Sabha begins general discussion on Union Budget

The Lower House began proceedings on the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who is also scheduled to speak in the House on Wednesday.

BJP MP from Pune Girish Bhaichandra Bapat was one of the first speakers who lauded the Budget and the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Bapat illustrated his point by reciting several couplets and also praised Sitharaman for her maiden Budget. “The origin of a ‘ram rajya’ has started through Nirmala Sitharaman. She has ‘nirmal’, ‘sita’, and ‘ram’ in her name. The budget is pro-poor. I support this budget," he said.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3 pm

The Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh adjourned the house till 3 pm amid the din caused by the Opposition MPs over the Karnataka political crisis. He appealed to the MPs to maintain decorum “in respect” for the Parliament, but to no avail.

Rajya Sabha proceedings begin amid din from Opposition members

The Rajya Sabha resumed for the day on Wednesday after no business was conducted on Tuesday and the first half on Wednesday. However, despite appeals from BJP MPs and the Deputy Chairman, Opposition MPs continued to raise slogans over the Karnataka political crisis.

Lok Sabha | Om Birla asks MPs not to talk among themselves when proceedings are on

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla​ on Wednesday asked MPs not to talk among each other when proceedings of the House are on, saying it was unacceptable. Birla also told members to go to the gallery, “which is just two steps away” if they desire to talk to other members.

“I have seen the tendency of some members of talking to each other while sitting in their seats as well as while standing. This is your House. If you want to run this House like that way, I can do that. But is that correct,” he asked.

“Such things are not acceptable. I will not allow anyone to talk while sitting in the House and while standing. The gallery is just two steps away. If you want to talk, go to the gallery,” he said.

The Speaker’s announcement was supported by members thumping the desk.

(PTI)

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to resume proceedings shortly

Lok Sabha | Ravi Shankar Prasad says Centre has ’no role’ in reservation for judges

Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in Lok Sabha on Wednesday was asked if there was a proposal possible for reservations in judicial services. “Under Article 235, the administrative control over the members of district and subordinate judiciary in the states vest with the concerned High Court,” He said.

“Initiation of a proposal for appointment of judges in high courts vests with the Chief Justice of India. Further, the state, in consultation with the high court, frames rules and regulations regarding the appointment, promotion, and reservations of judicial officers in the state. Therefore, the Centre has no role in this.”

Lok Sabha | Ravi Shankar Prasad says 403 vacancies for High Court judges

Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday raised the issue of the shortage of judges in the high courts across the country. He said , “There is no shortage of judges in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has reached its full strength of 31 judges for the first time since 2009. However, as on 1 July, there are 403 vacancies in the high courts.”

“Appointment of judges in the high courts is a continuous collaborative process between the Executive and the Judiciary, as it requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities,” he added.

Lok Sabha | House adjourned till 2 pm

Lok Sabha | Doctors should be given directive to use generic medicines as far as possible, says BJP Ahmedabad MP

BJP MP Kirit Solanki from West Ahmedabad appealed to the Centre and doctors around the country to use generic medicines as far as possible, so that poor people can also have better access to good standard of medical treatment.

Lok Sabha | BJP Balurghat MP brings up lack of connectivity in district

Sukanta Majumdar, who is the BJP MP from Balurghat in West Bengal, spoke about the lack of connectivity in the Balurghat district of the state. “There are no regular trains to the major cities in the state. Connectivity must be made a priority by the government,” the minister said.

Lok Sabha | Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury brings up drama surrounding DK Shivakumar’s visit to Mumbai

Amid sloganeering, Speaker Om Birla allowed Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to submit his point in the House. However, Birla also admonished him for “bringing up the same issue again and again in the House.”

In response, Chowdhury said that he didn’t want to speak about Karnataka, but Maharashtra and proceeded to describe the events of Wednesday morning, when Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar attempted to meet the rebel Karnataka MLAs in Mumbai. He said that the BJP was hatching a “conspiracy” to topple the government.

BJP minister Prahlad Joshi brought up the letter submitted by the rebel MLAs to the Mumbai Police, in which they said they feared for their lives due to Shivakumar’s visit. While Joshi was speaking, the Congress MPs walked out of the Lower House.

Lok Sabha | Opposition begins protest during hearing of matters of urgent public importance

Congress leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury accused the ruling BJP party of “conspiring” to “topple” the Karnataka government. After BJP’s Kolar MP S Muniswamy gave a response over the issue, Opposition members raised slogans.

Lok Sabha | BJP MP speaks about condition of aanganwadis in Jharkhand

The BJP MP from Palamu in Jharkhand Vishnu Dayal Ram appealed to the government to improve the condition of aanganwadis in the state.

Lok Sabha | ‘Sarkaar girana bandh karo, police misuse bandh karo’, Opposition protests continue

The Opposition continues to protest in the Lok Sabha over the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka. “Sarkaar girana bandh karo (Stop pulling down elected governments),” the Opposition shouted.

Lok Sabha | Opposition raises slogans as Question Hour ends; Tejasvi Surya asks for NRC in Karnataka

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya speaks about illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh in Karnataka. He requests Home Minister Amit Shah to take steps to curb illegal immigrants who are “security threats”.

“They are changing the demography of the state, and there is a real economic danger because they are taking away jobs from the locals. I call on the Centre to extend the NRC to Karnataka and Bengaluru. Since the NRC has been extended in the North East, the immigration workers are moving to other parts of the country. They are trying to procure Aadhaar cards and PAN cards,” he says.

A sovereign state must “protect the interests of its citizens” by protecting its borders, he added. The Opposition continued to raise slogans of ‘We want justice’ in the background, as other MPs made their submissions.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm by Chairman Venkaiah Naidu after continued protests from Opposition members.

Rajya Sabha agenda for today

The Rajya Sabha has only the general discussion on the Union Budget on its agenda for Wednesday.

Lok Sabha agenda for today

The bills for consideration and passing listed in the Lok Sabha are: The New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill, 2019; The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

The general discussion on the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will continue on Wednesday after the Lower House sat for the discussion till 11 pm on Tuesday.

Lok Sabha | Om Birla extends birthday greetings to Rajnath Singh

At the end of the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla extends birthday greetings to Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday.

Opposition members give notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha

Rajeev Gowda (INC), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Ravi Prakash Verma (SP), D Raja (CPI) and TK Rangarajan (CPM) have given Notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 to discuss on the issue of “defections being engineered to dislodge elected Governments”.

Rajeev Gowda (INC), Tiruchi Siva (DMK), Ravi Prakash Verma (SP), D Raja (CPI) and TK Rangarajan (CPM) have given Notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 to discuss on the issue of "defections being engineered to dislodge elected Governments"

— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2019

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm after disruption from Opposition

As both the Houses reconvened on Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned due to disruptions caused by sloganeering by members of the Opposition. They raised slogans in protest against the Karnataka crisis. The House is to resume at 12 pm.