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Parliament Live Updates: Lok Sabha Passes Bill To Cut Salaries Of MPs by 30%

Live updates and developments from Day 2 of Monsoon Session of Parliament.

A statue of B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s constitution, stands outside of Parliament House in New Delhi, India. (Photographer: T. Narayan/Bloomberg)
A statue of B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s constitution, stands outside of Parliament House in New Delhi, India. (Photographer: T. Narayan/Bloomberg)
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Indian lawmakers have returned to the parliament for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government bracing for a tumultuous monsoon session as the country sets new global records in coronavirus infections amid a border standoff with China.

On Day 1 of the monsoon session Monday, 30 members of the parliament and staff tested positive for Covid-19. The government has made covid tests mandatory for those attending proceedings at the parliament and implemented social distancing measures inside the house.

Key highlights of Day 1 of Monsoon Session of Parliament:

  • More than one crore migrant workers returned to their home states after the implementation of the coronavirus lockdown. (read more)
  • A total of Rs 39,402.94 crore was withdrawn from employees’ provident fund accounts during the coronavirus lockdown. (read more)

Also Read: Rajnath Singh Says India-China Border Tensions Serious

Live updates and developments from Day 2 of Monsoon Session of Parliament:

Lok Sabha Passes Bill To Cut Salaries Of MPs by 30%

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to reduce for one year the salaries of members of parliament by 30% "to meet the exigencies arising out of Covid-19 pandemic".

The Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2020, was introduced in the Lower House on Monday. It will replace the Salary, Allowances And Pension of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020. The ordinance was cleared by the union cabinet on April 6 and promulgated the next day.

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Central Vista Project Must Be Cancelled: NCP MP Supriya Sule

Supriya Sule, who represents the Nationalist Congress Party in the Lok Sabha, has called for cancellation of the Central Vista project.

“The Central Vista project must be cancelled, and more ventilators must be brought for the common man in this nation,” Sule said Tuesday, the second day of the ongoing monsoon session of the parliament. “Why is the government not reducing its expenditure to make sure that the costs come down?”


India Plans To Introduce Law To Ban Trading in Cryptocurrency

India plans to introduce a new law banning trade in cryptocurrencies, placing it out of step with other Asian economies which have chosen to regulate the fledgling
market, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

The bill is expected to be discussed shortly by the union cabinet before it is sent to parliament, according to people familiar with the development who who asked not to be identified, citing rules on speaking with the media.

The government will encourage blockchain, the technology underlying crypto, but is not keen on trading, according to two people. India’s finance ministry spokesman didn’t respond to call and a message seeking comments.

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Congress MPs Stage Walkout Over Non-Discussion Of India-China Border Issue

Gaurav Gogoi, deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha. (Photo: ANI)
Gaurav Gogoi, deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha. (Photo: ANI)

Congress’ members of parliament staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha demanding discussion on the India-China border issue.

Our leader AR Chowdhury wanted to send a message of solidarity to our troops and to send a stern warning to China that they should not test our patience,” Gaurav Gogoi, deputy leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha said. “Unfortunately, the government feels as if only they can speak in support of the army.” ANI


No One Should Doubt Morale Of India's Armed Forces: Rajnath Singh

The morale of India’s armed forces is high and no one should doubt it, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ladakh has sent a message that people of India stand behind Indian armed forces.” he said.

Singh said troops are being provisioned with suitable clothing, habitat and defence wherewithal. “They are capable of serving at forbidding altitudes with scarce oxygen and in extremely cold temperatures, something that they've done for over last many years in Siachen and Kargil.” ANI

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