Parliament session to be extended, says I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar

The government on Wednesday said that there was no question of US mediation in Kashmir, but the opposition Congress MPs staged a walkout in protest.

NEW DELHI: Parliament witnessed fireworks on Wednesday as the Congress-led Opposition demanded clarification from the NDA government over US President Donald Trump's claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to mediate on the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan at the G-20 summit in Osaka. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha seeking 'clarification from Prime Minister on the statement of US President Trump that PM Modi had asked him to mediate in Kashmir issue'. Meanwhile, Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in the House over "killing of tribals across the nation".

Speaking on behalf of the government, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday categorically rejected Trump's statement and clarified in both the Houses of Parliament that "no such request was ever made". However, the opposition is likely to stall the proceedings in both the House of Parliament on Wednesday. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Tuesday that the ongoing Parliament session will be extended by 10 more working days to complete the legislative business and the government`s target to pass at least 35 Bills. With the extension of sittings, the session will now conclude on August 9.

The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha commenced on June 17 with oath-taking by members and it was scheduled to conclude on July 26.

Here are the highlights from Parliament:-

24 July 2019

23:36 IST

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the government is moving to extend the Parliament session and noted that the opposition parties should not have any objection as they have been in favour of Parliament working for at least 100 days in a year.

16:03 IST

Union Cabinet approves the sale of 481.79 acres of land held by Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) to the Government of Kerala and utilization of the sale proceeds by FACT.

16:02 IST

Union Cabinet approves the merger of National Institute of Miners' Health with ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health.

16:02 IST

Union Cabinet approves determination of ‘Fair and Remunerative Price’ of sugarcane payable by sugar mills for 2019-20 sugar season at Rs 275 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10 per cent.

15:43 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha spoke on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act Bill. He said, "When you question us you don't see who brought the law and amendments, who made it stringent. It was brought when you were in power, what you did then was right and what I'm doing now is also right. There's a need for a provision to declare an individual as a terrorist, UN has a procedure for it, US has it, Pakistan has it, China has it, Israel has it, European Union has it, everyone has done it. In this country, a lot of people involved in social work are working respectably, police is not fond of catching them, but we don't have any sympathy for those who work for Urban Maoism."

15:40 IST

Union Cabinet approves official amendments to the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill 2019.

15:40 IST

Lok Sabha passes Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act Bill.

14:03 IST

This country still has people who have not degenerated into this mindless world of black and white, where either we can only be pro-govt or anti-country. All of India doesn't believe this: TMC MP Mahua Moitra in Lok Sabha. 

TMC MP Mahua Moitra in Lok Sabha: This country still has people who have not degenerated into this mindless world of black and white, where either we can only be pro-govt or anti-country. All of India doesn't believe this. pic.twitter.com/3Tgo9CZ6xK

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2019

12:28 IST

Congress MPs walk out of Lok Sabha in protest, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarification over US President Donald Trump's statement on Kashmir.

Congress MPs walk out of Lok Sabha in protest, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarification over US President Donald Trump's statement on Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/g7x2yR35i9

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2019

12:22 IST

As S Jaishankar Ji (External Affairs Minister) said Kashmir issue was not discussed in President Trump and PM Modi meeting. There is no question of mediation in Kashmir issue as it will be against the Shimla Agreement: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha: As S Jaishankar ji (External Affairs Minister) said Kashmir issue was not discussed in President Trump & PM Modi meeting. There is no question of mediation in Kashmir issue as it will be against the Shimla agreement. pic.twitter.com/pdopP9P98U

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2019

12:21 IST

No question of accepting mediation in Kashmir, says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh amid a row over Donald Trump's claim.

12:16 IST

Outgoing AIADMK MP V Maitreyan breaks down while giving a farewell speech in Rajya Sabha; says, "At this juncture, I place on record deep sense of gratitude towards my beloved leader, Amma (Jayalalithaa) for having immense faith in me & sending me to this House for 3 terms,"

11:44 IST

Opposition MPs continue to protest in Lok Sabha seeking a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the statement of US President Donald Trump on Kashmir.

Delhi: Opposition MPs continue to protest in Lok Sabha seeking a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on statement of US President Donald Trump on Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/31VmUFytnJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2019

11:24 IST

Lawmakers from Samajwadi Party, TMC and Left parties support Congress, demand PM's statement on Kashmir row.

11:18 IST

Congress MPs storm the Well of the House seeking clarification from PM Modi over Trump's Kashmir claim.

11:14 IST

Opposition demands PM's statement on Kashmir issue, creates ruckus in Parliament.

11:14 IST

Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad, the leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, will also hold a meeting of Rajya Sabha MPs of Congress and other opposition parties in the Parliament office today.

11:02 IST

Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament, she will hold a meeting of all Congress Lok Sabha MPs, today.

Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party Chief Sonia Gandhi arrives at the Parliament, she will hold a meeting of all Congress* Lok Sabha MPs, today. pic.twitter.com/pGPSjszVkf

— ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2019

10:58 IST

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha seeking 'clarification from Prime Minister on statement of US President Trump that PM Modi had asked Trump to mediate in Kashmir issue'

10:57 IST

Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury gives Adjournment Motion Notice in the House over "killing of tribals across the nation".

10:56 IST

Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi to hold a meeting of all party Lok Sabha MPs today at the party office in the Parliament.

10:09 IST

BJP MP Gopal Narayan Singh gives Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over "severe drought in south Bihar and heavy floods in north Bihar". 

09:10 IST

Peoples Democratic Party MP Nazir Ahmad Laway has given Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over 'problems of Jammu & Kashmir migrants', says ANI.

09:09 IST

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut gives Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over "delay in the production of Vande Bharat Express", reports ANI.