10.41 am: No trust motion against PM in Parliament
In what comes as a major embarrassment for the Congress-led UPA government in its final Parliament session, it's own MPs from Seemandhra region of Andhra Pradesh have issued notice for a no confidence motion against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
This, after the government has indicated that it will, by all means, pass the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in Parliament this final session.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath has again appealed to MPs to rise above politics so the 15th Lok Sabha "can go down in history to have passed anti-corruption bills like never before.
Updates for 5 february end
2.43 pm: Ruckus in Rajya Sabha as Antony reads out statement on chopper deal
After a demand by the Opposition, Defence Minister AK Antony read out a statement on the VVIP chopper scam amid protests by MPs from the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, which termed the government anti-dalit.
Meanwhile, Arun Jaitley requested time until tomorrow to reply to Antony's statement. Kurien then adjourned the House for the day.
2.35 pm: Communal Violence bill deferred
Rajya Sabha deputy Chairman PJ Kurien deferred the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill hours after he accepted a motion to discuss it. This, following protests by the Opposition which termed the bill a violation of federalism. "The bill is beyond legislative competence," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said.
The House saw further protests after Law Minister Kapil Sibal brought up the 2002 Gujarat riots.
"Following Opposition by members in the House, I defer the bill," Kurien said.
2.22 pm: BJP demands Sushilkumar Shinde's answer, Kapil Sibal retorts
As the House breaks out in a din, demanding Sushilkumar Shinde address the RS members' queries, Kabil Sibal offers to answer all doubts. However, the Opposition members demand the Home Minister explain the Bill. Sibal jumps at the opportunity and asks testily, "Are you worries about my response?"
Sibal finally gets to speak with Kurien scolding MPs like a school teacher and says, "We have a provision in the Bill which makes the state's permission necessary for the Centre to intervene when it comes to a state subject."
2.04 pm: Communal Violence Bill interferes with the federal structure of the country, says Jaitley
Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley pointed out that many provisions of the bill actually come under the state subjects and hence the central parliament and the central government has no right to trample over them. "Law and order, public order and service of the state are all state subjects. The Central parliament doesn't have the legislative competence to pass such a Bill. It is detrimental to the federal structure of our country," pointed out Jaitley.
CPM echoed Jaitley's concerns when Sitaram Yechury said that the Parliament doesn't have the competence to implement the Bill.
12.55 pm: PM to meet TDP, Seemandhra MPs today
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet protesting TDP MPs later today after continued protests against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
TDP party workers also clashed with Telangana supporters outside Andhra Bhavan in New Delhi.
12.20 pm: Communal Violence bill moved in Rajya Sabha
The Communal Violence bill was moved in the Rajya Sabha amid protests by the BJP who questioned the move of the government.
"In this environment it's difficult for me to speak.. I'm addressing you and the MPs but they can't hear me," Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley said, with Andhra MPs shouting 'Save Andhra Pradesh' slogans.
"I wish to oppose the introduction of the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill...," Jaitley said, to which Kurien replied, "Who are you getting angry with? The bill is not introduced... only the motion has been moved."
Kurien then adjourned the House till 2pm.
Earlier, BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad brought up the AgustaWestland deal where Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been named in a letter allegedly written by a middleman to AgustaWestland officials.
The government assured the House that a statement on the issue will be made later in the day.
12.19 pm: End racism against Northeast children, says Ninong Ering
Ninong Ering, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and an MP from Arunachal Pradesh appealed to politicians not to politicise the death of Nido Taniam.
Speaking in Lok Sabha, Ering said discrimination against people from the Northeast was a serious issue and it needs to be addressed at the earliest.
"Racial discrimination against our children from the Northeast is a very serious thing. We must stop it," he said.
The Lok Sabha was then adjourned for the day.
12.15 pm: Sushma Swaraj raises death of Nido Taniam in Lok Sabha
Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said it was the government's responsibility to ensure the safety of North East people in the country and criticised Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for failing to ensure their protection.
"They don't have proper schools and hospitals so they come to Delhi for a better life... but we have failed to ensure their safety," she said.
"Congress Vice President, Delhi CM are sitting on a dharna instead of ensuring people's safety," she said.
"Arunachal Pradesh is also a part of India... children of the Northeast are as Indian as anyone else... we must address this bias against people from the North East."
She also appealed to the government to make hostels for people from Northeast where they can stay with students from other parts of India.
12.00 pm: Both Houses of Parliament reconvene
Despite protests from various Members, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar allowed MPs to present reports before the House, post which she announced the names of those MPs who have resigned.
In Rajya Sabha, BJP MPs shouted slogans, while MPs stormed the well of the House with posters protesting the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
11. 10 am: Aise karne se kya hoga?
Minutes after Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar completed obituary references, MPs began shouting slogans raising various issues including with Kumar's appeal seeking order in the House for the last session falling on deaf ears. "Aise karne se kya hoga? This is the final session... please... let there be order," she appealed.
The Speaker then adjourned the House till 12 pm.
Meanwhile in Rajya Sabha, Chairman Hamid Ansari warned MPs not to storm into the well of the House threatening disciplinary action. "Do not come into the well of the house... your place is there... I'm cautioning MPs not to come to the Well of the House."
The House was then adjourned till 12 pm.
11.00 am: Final session of both Houses of Parliament begin
The final session of the 15th Lok Sabha began on Wednesday with the Chairman and Speaker of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha respectively paying obituary references to Members who passed away this year.
10.45 am: Expect Parliament to pass long pending bills, says PM
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a different opinion than his finance minister saying he was hopeful that the final session of Parliament will see the passage of bills pending for years, and also the Telangana bill.
"Expect Parliament to pass long pending bills... appeal to all parties in Parliament to co-operate with govt to pass important legislation," Singh said.
10.30 am: Don't think Parliament will pass any bills, says Chidambaram
Speaking to reporters before walking into Parliament House, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said it was unlikely that Parliament will see the passage of key legislation.
"I don't think Parliament will pass any key legislation this session," Chidambaram said.
The final Parliament session of the 15th Lok Sabha is set to begin on Wednesday and is likely to face continuous disruptions not just from the Oppostion BJP, but from within the Congress party as well.
For the list of pending bills as well as those that may come up in Parliament this session, click here.
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