LIVE: My daughter worked in COVID ward, ‘thaali-taali’ gave us courage, says Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

The Monsoon Session of Parliament is scheduled to continue till August 13.

New Delhi: Amid the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament, the Centre briefed opposition parties on the COVID-19 situation in the country and strategies being implemented to deal with it on Tuesday (July 20).

Opposition parties on Monday hit out at the government over the alleged phone-tapping of prominent personalities in the country using Israeli spyware, Pegasus, and demanded an independent judicial or parliamentary committee probe.

In another update, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will hold a meeting with senior officials and District Magistrates to review the situation due to torrential rain and cloudburst incidents across the state.

20 July 2021

22:15 IST

Till July 17, 48.68 cr doses of COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in India, says government.

19:01 IST

What does the government want to know by recording phones of journalists and politicians? If BJP has done it, then they should be punished. If they deny, saying they don't know about it, then it's an issue of national security: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Pegasus row

19:00 IST

I request Govt of India to ban the functioning of Amnesty International in the country. I feel the Congress party should join hands with Govt in criticising Amnesty International. They can't defame our country like this all the time: Assam CM

18:59 IST

They said these (persons) are potential targets but can't confirm if their privacy was compromised. What kind of journalism is this? Amnesty International & certain other international groups are hell-bent to defame India's democracy and leadership: Assam CM HB Sarma on Pegasus row

18:07 IST

They say why did we do 'thaali-taali'? We did it to encourage Corona warriors. We did it for the Policemen standing on the roads for our protection, we did it in honour of the healthcare staff - from the lowest to the highest level - who worked during Corona pandemic: Health Minister

18:01 IST

Before being a minister, I'm a father. My daughter worked as an intern doctor in COVID ward. She told me that she would work in that ward itself and she continued. At that time I realised the importance of 'thaali-taali', it gave us courage: Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Rajya Sabha

16:59 IST

There are no reports of concealing of death by the state/UT government. However, some of states based on the reconciliation of mortality data have revised their figures: MoS Health Bharati Pravin Pawar tells Rajya Sabha

16:57 IST

As Civil Aviation Minister, I was the first to stop flights coming from China, others followed. We went into a total lockdown on March 25, 2020. On the one hand, we are told lockdown is too severe and at the same time you want to have the cake and eat it too: Union Minister HS Puri

16:56 IST

Listening to members from across party lines, I got the impression that the one realisation which had escaped them was that the enemy here is the virus, not the govt, not the state CMs, not the system. It is the virus which is the enemy: Union Minister Hardeep S Puri, in Rajya Sabha

16:55 IST

Uninformed comment is bad enough but when an attempt is made to deliberately produce a false narrative, it's an even more serious matter. Even one death of any Indian citizen on account of any cause, whether COVID or non-COVID related, is matter of regret: Union Minister HS Puri, in Rajya Sabha

16:54 IST

Trinamool Congress will not allow Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha to run till govt has open discussion on this (Pegasus). The govt tries to do politics with COVID. We don't want discussion on farmers. Repeal farm laws & tomorrow discuss on Pegasus, or TMC's position is 'no more Parliament till August 13': Derek O'Brien

16:52 IST

Our Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha members protested at Mahatma Gandhi statue on issue of Pegasus and hacking of phones, including that of journalists, opponents and Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. We have given notices in both Houses: TMC MP Derek O'Brien

16:50 IST

Our question is to government, why are you hiding the data? Tell us, how many people have lost their lives (due to COVID). Reports say more (deaths) than government's official figures: Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, in Rajya Sabha

16:49 IST

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is expected to make a reply to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on COVID-19 around 5 pm today.

13:57 IST

The Government keeps the welfare of the people at the centre of all its activities. The identification of problems faced by the people is a continuous process and the Government takes appropriate action to resolve them from time to time: MHA in Lok Sabha on people of Lakshadweep.

13:57 IST

I pay tribute to COVID warriors including doctors&paramedics. I salute people who helped others by running 'oxygen langer' in Delhi during second wave of #COVID19. I also want to salute plasma donors, who came out in support: Mallikarjun Kharge,Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

13:35 IST

Actress Shilpa Shetty's husband & businessman Raj Kundra and one Ryan Tharp brought to Mumbai's Esplanade Court. 

Kundra was arrested yesterday while Tharp was arrested today in connection with a case relating to the production of pornographic films.

13:35 IST

Andaman & Nicobar Admn had notified the intention to declare Galathea Bay as Wildlife Sanctuary. Based on the recommendations of National Board for Wild Life, the said notification has been withdrawn by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration: Ministry of Home Affairs in Lok Sabha.

13:34 IST

This pandemic has been a constant learning experience for us: BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta in Rajya Sabha.

12:39 IST

Following morning disruptions in the Rajya Sabha, the House is to resume normal functioning at 1 pm: Sources (ANI)

12:02 IST

PM said pandemic isn't political but humanitarian issue for us. It was for first time in 100 yrs when huge population got ration & not even single person slept hungry. We did it successfully. It's our responsibility & wasn't a favour to any:Parliamentary Affairs Min Pralhad Joshi.

12:00 IST

Govt's response has been disappointing. Instead of ordering a probe under judicial oversight, GoI is defending NSO. Former IT Minister had said in Parliament that an enquiry has been done into NSO by CERT-In. What happened to that probe? Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on 'Pegasus'.

12:00 IST

We direct Kerala to give heed to Article 21 read with Article 144 of the constitution of India and follow our orders given in the Kanwar yatra case, says SC.

11:59 IST

Pressurehood of any manner cannot infringe upon the most precious right of Right to Life for citizens of India, if any untoward incident takes place then any public can bring it to our notice & action will be taken accordingly, says Supreme Court.

11:59 IST

Supreme Court says if there is any spread of the COVID19 infection due to the lockdown relaxations by the Kerala government owing to Bakrid, any person can bring it to the notice of the court which will then take appropriate action.

11:58 IST

Supreme Court pulls up Kerala government for relaxing COVID19 restriction for celebration of Bakrid in the state. 

Supreme Court says it is shocking state of affairs that the Kerala government has given in to the demand of traders in relaxing lockdown norms.

11:15 IST

Rajya Sabha has been adjourned soon after it began till 12 noon amid uproar by the Opposition

11:06 IST

Opposition parties to meet at 2pm to decide on attending PM brief on COVID today.

11:01 IST

Delhi: Opposition including Congress, TMC, RJD, DMK held a meeting at Parliament and decided to raise the issue of Pegasus in both the Houses.

10:53 IST

Sad with what happened yesterday. The newly-appointed ministers could not be introduced because of Opposition ruckus (in Rajya Sabha). This forum is to put forth views in line with House decorum. I urge all MPs to let the House run smoothly: Ajay Bhatt, MoS for Tourism

10:40 IST

First discussion & then presentation. If he (PM Modi) wants to give a presentation on COVID, he should give it in the Central hall separately to MPs & Rajya Sabha members. MPs should be allowed to discuss COVID-related issues in their constituencies: Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP in RS.

10:39 IST

Congress MP KC Venugopal has given a notice under rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to suspend the business and discuss the alleged usage of Pegasus spyware by the Government.

10:38 IST

CPI(M) floor leader in Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem gives notice under Rule 267 to suspend the business and discuss the alleged spying by the government on opposition party leaders, journalists, judges, and even union ministers using Pegasus spyware.

10:37 IST

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has moved a motion of Adjournment of the business of the House to discuss over Pegasus issue.

10:36 IST

Canada has suspended flights from India until August 21, 2021: Government of Canada