Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Thursday said that he will carry out his duties fairly and impartially, and emphasised that every member of the Lower House of Parliament, whether a minister or an Opposition Member of Parliament, has the right to speak according to the rules.
Birla addressed the Lok Sabha for the first time since the vote to remove the Speaker, raised by over 100 Opposition members, failed by a voice vote in the Lower House.
“The members of the House have strengthened the traditions of the House, and always increased the prestige of the house. I thank everyone for putting their trust in me. I give you my confidence that I will always work to carry out my duties in an impartial, fair manner,” Birla said today.
Supriya Sule calls for all-party meeting in Lok Sabha amid West Asia conflict
NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule on Thursday urged the government to convene an all-party meeting in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia and its possible global impact.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Sule also asked the government to clarify the implications of the new trade act announced by Donald Trump and how it could affect India’s economy.
She further criticised the government over the lack of progress on the proposed shift to green ammonia, which was expected to replace imported ammonia. “What is the value of the Budget if you are going to announce schemes and never implement them?” she asked.
‘No one knows where Rahul Gandhi’s mind is’: Giriraj Singh slams LoP over Lok Sabha attendance
Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, questioning his attendance in Parliament and accusing the opposition of disrupting House proceedings.
Speaking to reporters, Singh said, “No one knows where Rahul Gandhi’s mind is and where his body is; not even he seems to know. People might have to send his photo to a psychologist. Perhaps a psychologist will be able to find it,” referring to allegations regarding Gandhi’s low attendance in the Lok Sabha.
The minister also accused the opposition of acting against democratic processes. “These people are enemies of the nation and enemies of democracy,” he said.
Hardeep Puri to brief Lok Sabha on India’s energy supply amid West Asia conflict
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri will brief the Lok Sabha on Thursday regarding India’s overall energy supply situation amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has disrupted key global shipping routes.
Congress’s Shaktisinh Gohil criticises MGNREGA fund cuts
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Shaktisinh Gohil, INC, Gujarat, in the Rajya Sabha, said that “the soul of India is in the villages.” He praised MGNREGA for providing employment in rural areas but criticised the government for reducing its funds, saying the cuts shift the burden onto state governments.
MP Premachandran flags delay in circulation of demands for grants
N. K. Premachandran, RSP, Kerala, in Lok Sabha, alleged that the detailed demand for grants was not circulated prior to the session. “How can this discussion take place without circulation?” he asked, noting that although the agenda was shared a day ago, the detailed list should have been circulated 2 days before the discussion, as per the Speaker’s directions.
Parliament proceedings resume after lunch break
Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resumed after the Houses reconvened following a break.
Birla said he tries to “suspend any members” and that making such difficult decisions pains him, but asked the members to question why these suspensions have to take place.
Birla said he suspended the Opposition members for violating Parliament’s rules. “This is my duty,” he said, under Rule 377, to exercise his power to maintain decorum.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned after his speech.
Meanwhile, Opposition parties have collected signatures for a notice seeking a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on the ground of “partisan and discriminatory conduct in office” news agency PTI said.
The notice is likely to be submitted to both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in a day or two, the agency said, quoting sources. The Budget Session of Parliament resumed this week and is scheduled to run until 2 April.
This comes a day after a motion to remove Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla, was defeated after a several-hour-long debate on the resolution by the Opposition in the lower house.
On March 10, TMC MP Saugata Roy announced the party’s plans to move an impeachment motion against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging serious irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
“We shall bring an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner as per Article 324 of the Constitution. We have many, many complaints about him. The way the SIR has been handled, the way people have lost their lives because of the SIR, and the way the (voter) list has been published – it must be exposed. That is why, after the no-confidence motion (against the Speaker), we are hoping that our impeachment or removal resolution will go through,” Roy said.
According to rules, at least 100 MPs must sign a notice seeking the removal of the CEC in the Lok Sabha and the required strength in the Rajya Sabha is 50.
The notice has been signed by members from all INDIA bloc parties, the sources added. MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which is no longer officially part of the bloc, have also signed the notice, another source said.
This is the first time a notice has been given seeking the removal of the CEC.
Opposition parties have accused the CEC of aiding the ruling BJP on several occasions, especially over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, which they have alleged is aimed at helping the ruling party at the Centre.
Concerns have especially been expressed over the conduct of the exercise in West Bengal, with Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the poll panel of deleting genuine voters.
What is the process to remove CEC?
The process for removing the CEC is similar to that for the removal of a Supreme Court or high court judge and only grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity can lead to impeachment.
A motion for removal may be introduced in either House of Parliament and must be passed by a special majority — a majority of the total membership of the House and a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.
According to the law on the appointment of CEC and election commissioners, “CEC shall not be removed from his office except in the like manner and on the like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court”, and the other election commissioners shall not be removed from office “except on the recommendation of the CEC”.
According to the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, if the notices for the motion are given on the same day in both Houses of Parliament, no committee shall be constituted unless the motion has been admitted in both Houses. After the motion has been admitted in both Houses, a committee shall be constituted jointly by the Speaker and the Chairman.
Motion against Birla defeated
The no-confidence motion moved by the Opposition parties against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was dismissed by voice vote on Wednesday, 11 March.
Amid protests and sloganeering by the opposition seeking an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament Jagdambika Pal, who was in the chair, announced that the no-confidence motion was defeated.
Pal urged the opposition to take their seats so that he could put the motion to a vote. But as the protests continued, he sought a vote in the House, and the resolution was rejected by a voice vote; following that, he adjourned the House for the day.
The no-confidence resolution against Birla was given by several opposition leaders who alleged that he had acted in a “blatantly partisan” manner in the House.
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