Vivek Gupta speaks in Rajya Sabha on the Union Budget

Posted on March 16, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, a lot have been said about the Budget by my esteemed colleagues before me. Sir, through you, I want to point out to the Hon. FM a very glaring fact. Sir, in the name of various cess and surcharge, Rs 1.7 lakh crore is collected every year. Sir, this surcharge and cess is not shared with the States.

Sir, through you I would like to know from the Hon. FM, why this discrimination is done and why the States are deprived from their share of the revenue? Why this practice, Sir, of increasing the cess and surcharge? Sir, why not simply increase the tax rates so that the all States – we are sitting in the Council of States – will also get the share of that revenue.

Sir, particularly my State, we have done a rough calculation, is deprived of at least more than Rs 10,000 crore only on this account. That too at a time when there is a a lot of talk about fiscal autonomy and giving greater fiscal power to the States. Sir, I would request you to ensure that I get an answer from the FM.

Sir, moving on,enough has been said about demonetisation; I just want to leave them with some questions. Yesterday Indian Express reported that there is a 10% drop in advance tax collections. All along we have been told that the economy is doing well, the tax collection is going well. Yesterday, March 15, 2017, was the last date of advance tax payments; so there is some effect of demonetisation.

Sir, whenever you use your debit card or credit card, the petrol pumps are charging 2.5% surcharge. The Government of India charges of 15% service tax on this also. And during demonetisation, till December 31, 2016, 0.75% – that is roughly about this service tax amount – was coming back to us. So every time I am swiping my debit card or credit card at the petrol pump, I have to pay 2.5% surcharge. Sir I don’t understand why the government is penalising us for using credit cards while talking of less cash economy.

Sir, this Budget also failed to correct the increasing invasion into the finances of the States. Sir, recently in Bengal two officers were appointed specially by this Central Government just to look over the operations of our treasury. Sir, the Bengal Government is the only recipient of these officers. No other State in India got these officers. Through you, I want to ask why this special treatment was given to Bengal? What has Bengal done to deserve this?

Sir regarding Aadhaar, the government makes an announcement one day and the next day they withdraw the announcement. Now I wonder if the Aadhaar will be made mandatory to even enter the Parliament; probably that is the only thing left.

Sir, on black money enough has been said. I want to point out only one point. Sir 74 percent of the FDA that comes into India comes from three tax havens. These are figures that the government knows. Our Hon. Finance Minister very easily quotes in the press that ‘so many’ people go out abroad every year yet ‘so many’ people pay taxes. But Sir, people don’t even need to go abroad; just send the money abroad and get it back. Everybody knows this. The Panama Papers have been leaked, but Sir, no action has been taken on them. Domestic demonetisation is there, I wonder if there is any plan to do some foreign demonetisation on these people.

Sir, before I end my speech I just want to you speak about tax terrorism that continues. I just want to point out a few things. Probably the government has overlooked these facts. Sir there are 23 crore PAN card holders and only 4 crore file their returns. Sir, what steps has the Government taken to attack these 23 crore people who are not filing their returns? We would like to know the detailed answer from the Minister.

Sir, the PAN card is used more as a photo identity card; my request to you would be to request the Hon. Finance Minister to even put the addresses also on the PAN card. Then it would become a complete photo ID card which has address and photo both. A lot of these people sir have taken PAN cards only because it is the only ID accepted by banks. Although there is a list given by RBI where 18 documents are supposed to be accepted but no bank, no financial institution, no government offices accept these. The first thing they say is give me your PAN card. So, even a poor person with an income of less than Rs 1 lakh per annum has to go for a PAN card. Therefore, the government is feeling that there are so many income taxpayers who are not filing their returns.

It has been pointed out that some 1.8 lakh crore cases are pending in tax disputes. But whenever we get our orders that dues are adjusted, no details of those dues are available on the website. When we go to the Income Tax Department, files are lost. There is total anarchy. Through you, I would request some special trial be done to help these taxpayers.

Thank you, Sir.

From farmer suicides to medical negligence, Trinamool MPs raise matters of public importance in Parliament

Posted on March 16, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Today, Trinamool Congress MPs raised a variety of issues of public importance in Parliament ranging from medical negligence in private hospitals to the issue of farmer suicides, from manual scavenging to the Union Budget.

In the Rajya Sabha, Md Nadimul Haque raised the issue of medical negligence in private hospitals. He pointed out to the fact that the West Bengal Government has passed an Act which seeks to bring more transparency in healthcare, and urged the Central Government and other States to pass a similar law.

In the same House, Vivek Gupta raised the issue of alleged reports of the shifting of the headquarters of Hindustan Paper Corporation from Kolkata to Guwahati. Later, Vivek Gupta raised another important issue – that of compensation for manual scavengers.

In the Lok Sabha, Ratna De Nag spoke on the Demands for Grants for the Agriculture Ministry, raising the issue of the increase in the number of suicides by farmers in the last three years, and urging the Ministry for adequate financial assistance for farmers under various heads.

Cooch Behar MP Partha Pratim Roy asked a Supplementary Question on the electrification of villages during Question Hour.

Sugata Bose, in his erudition, took the government to task for not allocating enough funds for defence modernisation. He also rued the lack of initiatives on part of the government for defence manufacturing. He called for a strategic vision rather than jingoism in defence sector.

Later in the Rajya Sabha, during a discussion of the Union Budget, Vivek Gupta spoke on some important issues related to the Finance Ministry, like bringing the illegal black money stashed abroad back to the country and depriving States of revenue collected from various cess and surcharge.

Vivek Gupta asks a Supplementary Question on manual scavenging

Posted on March 16, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, as per the Census, 1.68 lakh people are there yet the government has been able to identify only 12000 people and that too the budget for this Ministry has been slashed.

Sir, I want to know through you, from the honorable Minister, is the fund constrained. I also want to know about identifying the remaining people – almost 1.5 lakh people – who are still living a life without dignity. Thank you Sir.

Vivek Gupta speaks on alleged reports of shifting HQ of Hindustan Paper Corporation from Kolkata to Guwahati

Posted on March 16, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you for giving me an opportunity today. Sir, recently, some employees of a public sector undertaking, Hindustan Paper Corporation came to my office in Kolkata and met me. They have a grievance that their headquarters which is located in Kolkata is being shifted to Guwahati. When I asked them what are the reasons for shifting, they said they had no idea.

Sir, fortunately, one week later we had a meeting of the Industry Committee where Hindustan Paper Corporation had come to press further demand for grants. There, Sir, the situation became more mysterious because the MD told us that the plant in Assam is shut down because of the lack of raw material, coal and everything, which is abundantly available in Bengal and yet they want to shift the headquarters.

When the MD was asked why they wanted to shift, he had no idea. On coaxing by the Committee, he told that they have been given some incentives by the Central Government to shift.

Sir, I do not understand why is the Central Government giving incentives to a central public sector company to shift the headquarters from Kolkata to Assam. Is it just because that the political colours of Assam have changed? Or it is something else, I would like to know from the Government through you, Sir.

Sir, Hindustan Paper Corporation is a very prestigious company; it is a very old company. It manufactures paper which is used for textbooks for children. But the NITI AYOG and DIPAM have recommended closure and shutdown. I do not want to go into their judgment, but when I asked the Industry Secretary, they are saying that they have not made any such recommendations and in fact they are trying to revive and if they receive a little bit cooperation from the Government, this company can be revived. All the workers who are not getting their dues for the last two years will start getting their dues and this company can do very well.

Sir, through you, I want to know from the Government, firstly, what is the rationale of giving subsidies to shift the headquarters? Is it just political or not, otherwise, the employees who are working at the headquarters will face immense hardship. Sir, some of them have retired parents, some of them have homes. Sir, I do not understand the rationale. Kolkata has a port, a lot of important machineries is done through Kolkata port. Kolkata is a major metro. I do not understand what is the advantage they will get by shifting to Guwahati, which I would like to know from the Government, through you Sir.

Nadimul Haque speaks on medical negligence in private hospitals

Posted on March 16, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, in the absence of doctors and due to dissatisfaction with quality standards at State-run or public hospitals, an increasing proportion of people are using private healthcare facilities, though they are more expensive. In 2014, the average cost of hospital care by a public utility was Rs 6,120 while private institutions were four times more costly at Rs 25,850. Sir, in the last decade, while the cost of treatment has more or less doubled, insurance cover is still less than 15 per cent.

However, recent cases in multi-speciality hospitals across the country show an abysmal state of private healthcare. Private hospitals lack transparency, often resulting in an increase in medical negligence amounting to severe injuries and even deaths.

A case in point is that of Sanjay Roy, a Dankuni resident, at a world-famous private hospital in Kolkata. He sadly died due to alleged medical negligence. Sir, here I want all honourable Members to listen, and listen with feelings, because only then will you understand what pains his family had to go through. The point that I want to highlight is that hospitals authorities refused to release his body unless the hospital dues were cleared. His family had to keep their fixed deposit certificates as a security, only then his body was released.

Sir, the West Bengal Government has passed an Act which seeks to bring more transparency in healthcare, ending harassment of patients and checking medical negligence in private hospitals and nursing homes. Private hospitals will now have to pay compensation in cases of medical negligence with fines as high as Rs 10 lakh or more.

Sir, similarly, there ought to be a Central law regulating private hospitals in terms of over-pricing of medical treatment, cancellation of licenses and payment of compensations in cases of medical negligence. Other States may want to enact law following the example set by Bengal. Finally, what we all need to understand is that health service is not a commercial proposition; it is a service which needs to be delivered with humility and a human touch.

I end with a Urdu couplet, Sir.

Aise mahol mein tabah kya hain, dua kya hain

Jahan qatil hi khud poochen ki hawa kya hain

Week 1 of the second leg of Budget Session: Trinamool plays responsible Opp

Posted on March 11, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The second leg of the 2017 Budget Session of Parliament began with the Members of Parliament (MP) of the Trinamool Congress staging a protest near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the Parliament complex on the issue of the killing of two Indians in America.

Inside Parliament also, the party played the role of a responsible Opposition by raising important issues, speaking on key legislations and opposing the Government where required.

LOK SABHA

March 9, 2017

Adjournement Motion
Saugata Roy spoke on the issue of the killing of two Indians in USA.

Bills
Ratna De Nag spoke on The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar spoke on The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Zero Hour
Pratima Mandal raised the issue of installing sanitary napkin vending machines for girls in schools.

March 10, 2017

Bills
Kalyan Banerjee spoke on The Admiralty (Jurisdiction & Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016.

Question Hour
Ratna De Nag asked Supplementary Questions on chronic diseases.
Saugata Roy asked Supplementary Questions on the confiscation of assets of economic offenders.

Zero Hour
Pratima Mandal raised the issue of the need for the awareness on generic medicines.
Ratna De Nag raised the issue of the need for subsidies for potato growers.
Md Idris Ali raised the issue of the need for the setting up of Central schools in his constituency and on the need for the waiver of interest on loans for farmers.

RAJYA SABHA

March 10, 2017

Bills
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy spoke on The Enemy (Amendment & Validation) Bill, 2016. Trinamool walked out in protest of the manner in which the Bill was taken up in the House.

Question Hour
Vivek Gupta asked Supplementary Questions on the providing of free Wi-Fi facilities by the Railways to stations in eastern India.

Thus, during the first week, Trinamool Congress raised the crucial issue of the security of Indians living in USA, to underline the importance of which its MPs even staged a protest inside the Parliament complex and raised important points while supporting the Bill on maternity benefits. On March 10, it staged a walkout in protest against the inadequate discussion before the passing of The Enemy (Amendment & Validation) Bill, 2016. The party’s MPs also raised various issues of local as well as regional and national importance through during the Question Hours and Zero Hours.

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy speaks in Rajya Sabha on The Enemy (Amendment & Validation) Bill, 2016

Posted on March 10, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Full Transcript

Sir, so far I understand, this Bill has been introduced by the Government following the Supreme Court judgement in a particular case that the Hon’ble Leader of the House has mentioned. We must not consider this Bill in the ambit of one case; it has wider ramifications. The 1968 Act allowed for vesting of enemy properties with the custodian after the war with China and Pakistan, as rightly pointed out by the Hon’ble Leader of the House. After the 1965 war, there were the Defence of India Act provisions, which are all right.

This Bill amends the Act to clarify that even in the following cases, these properties will continue to be vested with the custodian:

The enemy’s death, which is all right,

If the legal heir is an Indian, on which we have certain objections, because legally as an Indian citizen, this Bill is depriving property to Indian citizens. If there is no title after 1965, then nothing is inherited by the Indian citizen; then there is no question of putting this clause in this definition.

On the one hand, the Government is saying that after 1965 there is no title to the property by the enemy and now the Bill seeks to amend that if the legal heir is an Indian, then also he is not entitled to the title of the property. If there is no title, then how does this come? So this is contradictory, in my point of view, and so this should be removed.

Also, Sir, if the enemy changes his nationality to that of another country. Now the Hon’ble Leader of the House has mentioned about going from Pakistan to London, which is all right in that particular case. The question is, Sir, here are so many things which are not in this Bill. When Punjab and Bengal were partitioned – it was not the partition of India, it was the partition of a few districts of Bengal and Punjab only – and when millions of evacuees came from other parts of Bengal and Punjab, that is, East Pakistan and West Punjab, how much compensation has been given by the Government of India to the evacuees? Nothing has been said in this Bill about that – because the enabling provision has been made, that after the selling of the property, the custodian can sell out the property, can dispose of the property, and after the disposal where would the proceeds from the sale go, how it will be utilized, nothing has been said in the Bill. Whether, out of the sale proceeds, the evacuees or their descendants can get compensation or not; nothing has been stated.

After the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971, the evacuees of erstwhile East Pakistan got only ex gratia, not compensation, from the Government of India to the extent of 25 per cent of their total claims; therefore, 75 per cent of their total claims is still remaining.

This Bill has been brought on a piecemeal manner just to thwart the judgement delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in a particular case. That is why I have objections on principle on this Bill, because if the Government is serious to take into consideration all aspects related to enemy properties then, in my view, those things should also be addressed in a proper manner, and for which a comprehensive Bill is required to be brought by the Government.

Lastly, the way the Bill has been introduced today – I cannot blame the Chair, because it is in the List of Business – I have already stated and Mr Jairam Ramesh and other Hon’ble Members have also stated the practical difficulties. This is a serious Bill which could not be discussed in a proper manner. We can understand the difficulties on the part of the Government because of the March 14 deadline. So on March 14 itself we could have discussed and passed this Bill after a threadbare discussion.

This is why, in protest against the indifferent attitude of the Government, to not to respond to the request made by the Opposition, I walk out, Sir.

Vivek Gupta asks a Supplementary Question on the providing of free Wi-Fi facilities by the Railways in stations in eastern India

Posted on March 10, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, through you I would like to know from the Hon’ble Minister that, if you look at the stations as part of the reply, in the northern part of the country, the central part of the country, the southern part of the country, even the western part of the country – there are more than 15 stations in each part of the country, but when it comes to the east, there are only two or three stations.

I would like to know from him, Sir, when does he plan to remove this discrimination and ensure that the eastern part of the country also enjoys Wi-Fi as the other parts of the country do.

Sir, I want to know is RailTel Corporation outside the Government of India? I thought it was a subsidiary of the Government, because in the answer to my question on the details of funds allocated and spent, that it is done by RailTel Corporation without any fund allocation from the Government? Sir, I want to know whether RailTel Corporation is a 100 per cent subsidiary, because the figures are not mentioned.

About the Wi-Fi being given free, we want to know from the Minister till when would it be given free? When do they plan to charge?

In conversation with Manish Gupta

Posted on March 1, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Congratulations, Sir. You will be elected to the Rajya Sabha in a few weeks. This election is only a formality. What are your first thoughts?

Manish Gupta: I would like to express my heartfelt thanks our Chief Minister and the leader of the masses Mamata Banerjee for giving me yet another chance to serve the people of Bengal and work for them.

You have played a role as a Chief Secretary and then as a Power Minister of the State Cabinet. But Delhi will be a new experience. Your thoughts.

Manish Gupta: We have the same responsibility in whatever role we play. Our leader Mamata Banerjee has always asked us to place people’s needs ahead of everything else. In Delhi, we will be playing the same role.

We will have to put forward the demands of the people of Bengal and take steps to fulfill them. I will use my 50 years of experience and will gain new experiences as well in Delhi. By combining them, I will be able to place the demands of our people in the right manner.

In which specific areas do you think you will be able to make impression in the Parliament?

Manish Gupta: In Rajya Sabha different topics will come up. I will try to showcase my State there. There are no scopes for choosing subjects. Whatever will come my way, I will do and I am ready for it.

Manish Gupta before the interview

In the last few years, TMC has proved to be the strongest voice in the Parliament. How will you bring your experience to heighten this position?

Manish Gupta: I have 5-6 years of political experience in Bengal. We are all observing what is happening in Delhi. We are tracking the areas where Bengal is being deprived by the Centre, the sectors where funds are not coming to the State. All these issues have to be raised in Parliament. I do not think there will be any problem.

Your work as a Power Minister has been appreciated. Which three sectors will you be most attracted to lay stress on?

Manish Gupta: There is a distinct difference between the works of the Ministers and that of a Member of the Parliament. Besides Power, there are many issues like economic development, social changes among others. These issues will be raised on the floor of the Parliament so that the people of Bengal are benefitted.

How has been your experience as a Minister while working with Mamata Banerjee?

Manish Gupta: I have seen many Chief Ministers. Mamata Banerjee is different. She works 20-22 hours a day. She keeps track of every little detail. If development is not done in a timely manner, it does not have any effect and Mamata Banerjee is always trying to pace up the developmental works. At times, she personally supervises the works to get them done. She is a source of inspiration. It is a very big thing. She is unique.

Will work for the people of Bengal: Manish Gupta

মুখোমুখি মনীশ গুপ্ত

আপনাকে অনেক অভিনন্দন। আপনি কিছুদিনের মধ্যেই রাজ্যসভার সাংসদ হিসেবে নির্বাচিত হবেন। নির্বাচনটি একটি নিয়ম মাফিক প্রক্রিয়া মাত্র। আপনার কেমন লাগছে?

মনীশ গুপ্তঃ প্রথমত, আমি বাংলার মুখ্যমন্ত্রী ও তৃণমূল নেত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়কে আন্তরিক অভিনন্দন এবং কৃতজ্ঞতা জানাই কারণ উনি আমাকে আরও একবার সুযোগ দিলেন মানুষের পাশে দাঁড়িয়ে মানুষের জন্য কাজ করার।

আপনি এর আগে মুখ্যসচিব হিসেবে ও বিদ্যু९মন্ত্রী হিসেবে কাজ করেছেন। কিন্তু দিল্লি একটা নতুন অভিজ্ঞতা। কেমন লাগছে?

মনীশ গুপ্তঃ সব জায়গায় আমাদের একটাই দায়িত্ব। আমাদের দলনেত্রী সবসময় বলেন মানুষের কাজ সবার সামনে রাখতে হবে। দলের ভাবমূর্তি ঠিক রাখতে হবে। দিল্লিতেও আমাদের একই কাজ। ওখানে বাংলার মানুষের আশা-আকাঙ্ক্ষার কথা তুলে ধরতে হবে যাতে তা পূরণ হয়। দিল্লিতে যেভাবে কথাগুলো পরিবেশন করা দরকার সেটা আমি করব এবং আমার বিশ্বাস আমার যে অভিজ্ঞতা হবে এবং আমার বিগত ৫০ বছরের যে অভিজ্ঞতা আছে সেই দুটো মিলিয়ে সঠিক ভাবে আমি কাজ টা করতে পারব।

সংসদে কোন নির্দিষ্ট বিষয়গুলি উত্থাপন করার কথা ভাবছেন?

মনীশ গুপ্তঃ রাজ্যসভায় যে কোনো সময় যে কোনো বিষয় আসতে পারে। সেখানে আমাদের রাজ্যের দিকটি তুলে ধরতে হবে। ওখানে বাছাই করার কোন ব্যাপার নেই। যা আসবে তাই করতে হবে, সেজন্য আমি প্রস্তুত।

গত কয়েক বছরে সংসদের দুটো কক্ষেই তৃণমূল যথেষ্ট শক্তিশালী। দল্কে সংসদে আরও শক্তিশালী করে তুলতে কি ভূমিকা নেবেন?

মনীশ গুপ্তঃ আমার এখানে ৫-৬ বছরের রাজনৈতিক অভিজ্ঞতা আছে। আমরাও সবসময় দেখি দিল্লিতে কি হচ্ছে। আমরা কোথায় বঞ্চিত হচ্ছি, রাজ্যের কোন কোন খাতে টাকা আসছে না, সংসদে কি কি বিষয় আমাদের তুলে ধরা দরকার সেই কাজটাই আমায় করতে হবে, অতএব আমার মনে হয় না ওখানে কোন অসুবিধা হবে।

Trinamool’s Rajya Sabha candidate Manish Gupta

বিদ্যু९ মন্ত্রী হিসেবে আপনার কাজ যথেষ্ট প্রশংসনীয়। সাংসদ হিসেবে কোন তিনটি বিষয়ে বিশেষ নজর দেবেন?

মনীশ গুপ্তঃ মন্ত্রী আর সাংসদদের কাজ আলাদা। বিদ্যু९ ছাড়াও অন্যান্য অনেক বিষয়বস্তু আছে যেমন- অর্থনৈতিক উন্নয়ন, সামাজিক পরিবর্তন এই বিষয় গুলো সংসদে উত্থাপন করতে হবে যাতে আমাদের রাজ্যের মানুষ উপকৃত হন।

মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের সঙ্গে কাজ করার অভিজ্ঞতা কেমন?

মনীশ গুপ্তঃ আমি অনেক মুখ্যমন্ত্রী দেখেছি। মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় দিনে প্রায় ২০-২২ ঘণ্টা কাজ করেন, প্রতিটি কাজের বিস্তারিত খবর রাখেন। উন্নয়ন সময়মত না করলে তার effect থাকে না। উনি সবসময় চেষ্টা করছেন করছেন যত তাড়াতাড়ি উন্নয়ন করা যায় এবং সেইজন্য উনি নিজে দাঁড়িয়ে থেকে কাজ গুলো করান, নিজে অনুপ্রেরণা দেন। এটা একটা বিরাট ব্যাপার। সত্যিই উনি অতুলনীয়।

Trinamool in Parliament: Budget Session (Feb 1 – Feb 9)

Posted on February 9, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

All through this first part of the Budget Session (February 1 – February 9), Trinamool’s Members of Parliament (MPs) highlighted the ill effects of demonetisation and raised their voices against the political vendetta being carried out by the Centre against the party.

In fact, in protest against demonetisation, the party’s MPs did not attend the first two days of Parliament.

The MPs, through a protest inside the Parliament complex, also showed solidarity with the Indian IT firms creating value globally, in response to the US Government’s order limiting the issuing of H1B visas. They also organised a dharna demanding state funded elections.

February 2

Suspension Notice in the Rajya Sabha

Leader of the Party in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien gave a notice under Rule 267 on political vendetta and stifling of the voice of the Opposition.

Chief Whip of the party in Rajya Sabha, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy slammed the Centre for the “witch hunt” against Trinamool Congress.

Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha

Md Nadimul Haque asked a question on the empowerment of rural women.

During his speech on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien slammed the Centre on demonetisation, Digital India and political vendetta.

Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha

Vivek Gupta made a Special Mention regarding the inadequate number of toilets for girl students in schools in West Bengal.

February 3

Trinamool MPs protested inside the Parliament complex against the political vendetta by the Centre.

Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha

Derek O’Brien demanded Parliament observes a minute’s silence for the unfortunate victims of demonetisation.

Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha

Leader of the Party in the Lok Sabha, Saugata Roy in the Lok Sabha intervened to oppose the introduction of Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill, 2017.

Saugata Roy also raised the issue of misusing of CBI for political purposes by the Central Government, during which time BJP MPs disrupted the House, leading to the adjournment of the Lok Sabha.

February 6

Trinamool Congress MPs showed solidarity with the Indian IT firms creating value globally. The MPs gathered in front of Gandhi ji’s statue inside Parliament complex.

Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha

Derek O’Brien spoke on securing the interests of Indian IT firms creating value globally.

Vivek Gupta demanded an investigation into the case of missing JNU student Najeeb.

Md Nadimul Haque’s Zero Hour mention honoured the glory of former sportspersons, which received support across the aisle.

Special Mention in the Rajya Sabha

Vivek Gupta made a Special Mention on the issue of federalism.

Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha

Saugata Roy slammed the Government over demonetisation, political vendetta, rising intolerance in the country, deaths due to railway accidents, Maoist attacks, law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir and foreign policy vis-a-vis China and Pakistan.

Chief Whip of the party in the Lok Sabha, Kalyan Banerjee raised the issue of demonetisation and said that the country is facing a financial emergency.

February 7

Trinamool Congress MPs from both the Houses of the Parliament staged a dharna in front of Gandhi ji’s statue in the Parliament complex on the need for electoral reform and State funding of elections.

Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha

Derek O’Brien informed the House that BJP leaders in Bengal are threatening Trinamool leaders.

Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha

Kalyan Banerjee raised the issue of threats to Trinamool leaders by BJP functionaries in Bengal.

Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy questioned the Government on demonetisation.

Question Hour in the Lok Sabha

Ratna De Nag raised the issue of improvement of cold storages.

Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha: Saugata Roy called the Ordinance (which this Bill will replace) as “unnecessary and uncalled for”.

Legislative Business

Tapas Mandal, in the Lok Sabha, spoke on The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

February 8

Trinamool Congress MPs from both the Houses of the Parliament staged a dharna outside Parliament House, protesting against demonetisation, which completed three months today.

Suspension Notice in the Rajya Sabha

Sukhendu Sekar Roy sought the suspension of the House to discuss the impact of three months of demonetisation.

Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha

Dola Sen raised the issue of electoral reforms and state funding of elections.

Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha

Derek O’Brien raised the issue of online trolls. He wanted to know if the government is planning to issue an advisory for high Constitutional authorities, including the Prime Minister of India, who are following unknown people on the digital medium.

Ahamed Hassan Imran raised the issue of job losses in the manufacturing sector due to demonetisation.

Question Hour in the Lok Sabha

CM Jatua raised the issue of railway connectivity in the Sundarbans.

Aparupa Poddar asked a question about railway safety mechanisms.

Arpita Ghosh raised the issue of internet penetration in rural areas.

Idris Ali asked a supplementary question regarding Haj subsidy.

Legislative Business in Rajya Sabha

Dola Sen spoke on The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha

Saugata Roy spoke during a discussion on the Union Budget and called it conservative. He said the Government did not make any big announcements because it did not receive any windfall gains from demonetisation.

Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha

Trinamool Congress asked for one minute of silence in respect for the people who have died as result of the measures taken for demonetisation. Some ministers were giggling. Treasury benches showed no grace. Then Trinamool walked out.

February 9

During a discussion on the Union Budget, Kalyan Banerjee (Lok Sabha) and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (Rajya Sabha) spoke on behalf of the party. Both of them cornered the government on the declining economy, lack of jobs, black money, demonetisation and failed promises of the government.

Special Mentions in Rajya Sabha

Derek O’Brien made a Special Mention on the lack of security in Aadhaar services. Nadimul Haque made a Special Mention on increasing trolling practices online.

A productive Session

Thus, during this Budget Session, Trinamool Congress raised issues of national importance like demonetisation and its effects as well as those related to political vendetta, be it the arrest of two of its MPs, including the Leader of the Party in the Lok Sabha, Sudip Bandyopadhyay or the threats to party functionaries by members of the BJP in Bengal.