Saugata Roy’s question during Question Hour on February 13, 2023 in the Lok Sabha on the issue of suicides by daily wagers

Sir, the question relates to the daily wagers committing suicide. Now, it has been suggested by several worldfamous economists that the only way to help the daily wagers, including the migrant labourers, is to give them some cash doles so that they have some money in their pockets and that money rolls in the economy. I would like to know from the hon. Minister for Labour and Employment whether the Government has any plan to give cash relief to daily wagers and migrant labourers to save them from committing suicide due to penury and destitution.

 

Jawhar Sircar, on February 10, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha, raising the issue of partiality of Rajya Sabha TV in its live telecast of the House proceedings

Sir, I would, with total honour to the Chair, submit that the Chair may not undertake an act that may not be sustainable. I would submit that there are words ‘persistently’ and ‘wilfully obstructing’. This does not make any provision for an ex post facto judgement. Twitter handle is given at a much later time outside the House. How does that mention in the Twitter come in with retrospective effect to disrupt the House? I am not advocating it, but these are the questions which may be raised. We do not want the ruling of the Chair to be questioned in any forum of law. That is my first submission. My second submission is these two elements, ‘persistently’ and ‘wilfully obstructing with retrospective effect’, that I have mentioned, we beseech upon you to ensure a broad degree of fairness that agitation, however fair, was not covered at all. This is censorship.

Santanu Sen, on February 10, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha, asking for Rajya Sabha TV to act impartially

Sir, I would definitely be on the point. My submission is that surely videography should not be done inside the House. I do agree with you. You may please form a committee and inquire, but, at the same time, my submission would be, another part of the story is remaining untouched. Can our learned Chair take any step to see that

Sudip Bandyopadhyay’s intervention during the Finance Minister’s reply on the General Discussion on the Union Budget for 2023-24, on February 10, 2023 in the Lok Sabha, alleging the Union government’s attempting of an economic blockade of Bengal

Madam, I along with 10 MPs met Giriraj Singh ji and we had a long discussion for one hour. Giriraj Singh ji attended the meeting with all his officials and we 10 MPs were there. He clarified these issues to us. … He asked us to send the Cabinet Minister of Government of West Bengal. I went back and reported this to the Chief Minister. … The Chief Minister sent the Minister to talk to Giriraj Singh ji. There was a long meeting. Everything was sorted out. Rs.37,000 crore have not been released. … So, Madam, our allegation is that you are trying to blockade our State of West Bengal economically.

Santanu Sen’s Supplementary Question during Question Hour on February 10, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha regarding the Union government’s plans for filling up the huge number of vacancies in Indian Railways

Respected Chairman, Sir, I thank you for allowing me to raise the supplementary question. As per record, from 2018 to 2022, nearly 92,000 posts of Indian Railways have been abolished. Despite this abolition, still the vacancies are around 2.98 lakh. My humble question to the hon. Minister is: What is the stand of the Ministry regarding the same?

Jawhar Sircar’s Supplementary Questions during Question Hour on February 9, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha on the sharp points of difference that have emerged regarding judicial appointments between the Supreme Court and the Union government

Sir, I asked for a specific reply to the ongoing differences between the Supreme Court and the Executive. We, as the Legislature, have the right to ask these questions but what I get by way of reply is that it requires consultation — of course, we know it — and differences of opinion, if any, are mutually reconciled. So, am I to understand that all differences are mutually reconciled? In the same sentence, you have used the words that only the appropriate person is appointed. सर, मैंसप्लीमेंटरी ही पूछ रहा हूँ। Do you consider Victoria Gowri’s appointment to be of really an appropriate person, one who has been accused in public of casteist remarks, of remarks against minority? This is in public domain. Everybody on earth knows that Victoria Gowri’s opinion has been challenged… Sir, I am saying this with delicacy. Whatever be it, mistakes happen. Sir, the Minister has not replied correctly. I asked for sharp points of difference, not conflict. So, don’t put words in my mouth. I asked for sharp points of difference that have not been responded to. And, Sir, one more to this is, he has mentioned about 127 proposals of High Court Judges that are lying vacant. When would these be taken up? Eighteen proposals have been rejected.

Md Nadimul Haque’s Supplementary Questions during Question Hour on February 9, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha on the big monetary loss to the government of India in the OCI card scheme and encroachment of Indian cultural centres abroad

Sir, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has pulled up the Ministry of External Affairs for revenue losses and improper financial management in a recently-released audit report. My question is: Does the Ministry have any planned compensation mechanism in order to recover the revenue losses of Rs. 58.23 crores occurred because of misapplication of fees in the OCI Card Scheme? Sir, there has been setting up of Indian Cultural Centers abroad. A Center was taken up in Washington DC at a cost of 5.75 million dollars in 2013, and in Paris, it was taken up in 2011, which is now encroached. In the answer, it has been given that these properties have faced certain challenges in preparing them for their intended use. Sir, my question is: What is the plan of action and why has such a casual answer been given? Sir, if I am allowed to ask