Parliament Budget Session Live Updates: Lok Sabha debates Oilfields Amendment bill amid opposition criticism

MP's play with 'gulal' at the Parliament premises ahead of Holi

IRCTC menu display made mandatory, railways boosts food quality checks

Displaying the menu and rate list of food items served to passengers on trains is now mandatory, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Vaishnaw stated that menus and prices are available on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website, and printed menu cards are provided by waiters upon request. Rate lists are also displayed in pantry cars, and passengers now receive SMS notifications with links to the menu and tariff details.

Coal mafia crackdown needs state cooperation, says Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy

The Centre has acknowledged the prevalence of illegal coal mining, including hazardous rat-hole extraction, and emphasised that state governments bear the primary responsibility for curbing such activities. Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy, addressing the Lok Sabha, stated that tackling the mining mafia requires cooperation from state authorities. He cited discussions with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, highlighting ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal operations.

Reddy noted that Assam has shut down 250 illegal rat-hole mines and arrested 12 individuals, while Jharkhand continues to grapple with illegal mining activities. He reiterated the Centre's zero-tolerance stance towards coal-related violence and emphasised that safety in coal mines is a top priority. Responding to concerns about accidents and coal mine fires, including the long-standing underground blaze in Jharkhand’s Jharia, Reddy assured the House that efforts are underway to mitigate such risks.

Rajya Sabha adjourned to meet again on March 17 at 11.00 am

Lok Sabha passes Oilfields Bill to boost investment and production

Lok Sabha passes Oilfields Amendment Bill 2024 to separate petroleum operations from mining, aiming to attract investment and enhance domestic production.

Priyanka Kakkar on Darbhanga mayor’s Holi remark: ‘Unfortunate, we must take everyone along’

AAP’s Priyanka Kakkar has criticised Darbhanga Mayor Anjum Ara’s statement on Holi, calling it “unfortunate.” Kakkar emphasised India’s diversity, saying, “Our country is made up of people from different religions, castes, and regions. We need to take along everyone. A civilised, educated society is there in Delhi. We participate in each other’s festivals.”

She accused the BJP of spreading negativity, adding, “They try to create discord. This will not help the country. Talks should happen on guarantees promised.”

'Nitish Kumar is coming into power again': BJP MP Ravi Kishan

On Holi and 'Jumma' falling on the same day row, BJP MP Ravi Kishan said, "This is not the first Holi being celebrated in the country... This is all a drama for the upcoming Bihar elections because people (the Opposition) are panicking because Nitish Kumar is coming into power again."

'Periyar never demeaned Tamil language': MDMK MP Durai Vaiko on Sitharaman's statement

On Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement, MDMK MP Durai Vaiko said, "Periyar never demeaned Tamil language... nobody can question Periyar's love and sacrifice for Tamil society...our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a senior politician...she is well aware of this fact, but she is trying to politicise the issue...Tamil Nadu and India expect much more from a senior leader like her."

'We stand by demands of states': Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on NEP

On uproar in the Parliament over 3-language policy under NEP, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said, "Yesterday Union education minister was trying to mislead the House...this is a sensitive issue. Centre should understand the sentiments of states and states should understand the needs of centre. We stand by the demands of states"

Congress MP K Suresh on Sitharaman's statement on three-language policy

On three-language policy and statement of Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament, Congress MP K Suresh said, " Our stand is already clear. Tamil Nadu is promoting Tamil and they don't want to give more importance to Hindi...she (Nirmala Sitharaman) is absolutely wrong and misleading the house."

Congress MP Manickam Tagore files an adjournment motion

Congress MP Manickam Tagore files an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the manufacturing sector crisis and trade deficit with China.

Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 introduced in Lok Sabha

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha today by the Union Home Minister of State, Nityanand Rai. The bill aims to modernize and consolidate India's immigration laws.

He presented the bill on behalf of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Union MoS Nityanand Rai said, "On behalf of Amit Shah, I propose that the requirement of passport or travel document be settled in respect of persons entering and exiting India, certain powers be granted to the Central Government and to regulate matters related to foreigners including requirement of visa and registration and permission be given to establish a bill dealing with matters connected or incidental to them."

Congress MP Manish Tewari from Chandigarh opposed the bill, claiming that it violates the "multiple fundamental rights" under the Constitution of India.

President's Rule not forced on Manipur, says BJP's Biplab Deb in Lok Sabha

The BJP on Tuesday defended the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur, saying the decision was not forced on the state but was taken out of compulsion. Initiating a combined debate on the supplementary demands for grants, excess grants and the Manipur budget for the BJP, party leader Biplab Deb also said Manipur and other northeastern states have seen infrastructure push in the last 10 years after the Narendra Modi government came to power at the Centre.

He said Manipur has seen creation of rail and road infrastructure which did not happen in the last several decades.

Deb asserted that now people from rest of India can identify each northeastern state which was not the case in the past.

He said central rule in Manipur was not forced but was imposed out of compulsion as assembly session could not be convened within the prescribed time and constitutional provisions came into play.

Holi: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha cancel House sittings on March 13

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will not have their sitting on March 13, the eve of Holi, following a decision taken by the business advisory committees of both Houses on the matter. The two houses have already declared a holiday on March 14, 2025, for Holi.

According to a bulletin issued by the Rajya Sabha secretariat, members have been informed that as unanimously decided in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee and announced in the House, the sitting of the Rajya Sabha fixed for Thursday, March 13, 2025, has been cancelled.

"Accordingly, there will be no sitting of the House on that day," the bulletin further said.

Lok Sabha: Cong protests against Sambit Patra's remarks on Rahul Gandhi

Lok Sabha on Tuesday saw noisy protests by Congress members against a remark by BJP member Sambit Patra on Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. Patra later withdrew his remarks as Speaker Om Birla urged both the treasury and opposition members to maintain the dignity of the House.

Participating in a debate on the supplementary demands for grants, excess grants and the Manipur budget, Patra referred to a remark by a Congress leader on cricketer Rohit Sharma's fitness. He compared the cricket captain with Gandhi.

'Providing all assistance to support faster recovery of Manipur economy': Sitharaman in Lok Sabha

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman told Parliament on Tuesday that the government is providing all possible assistance to help violence-hit Manipur recover economically. Responding to discussions on Supplementary Demands for Grants and Manipur’s budget for 2025-26, she emphasized continued support for the state’s faster recovery.

The supplementary demand for grants for 2024-25, worth Rs 1,861 crore, was tabled in Lok Sabha. It includes 20 demands and one appropriation, with Rs 948 crore allocated for revenue expenditure and Rs 913 crore for capital expenditure.

Lok Sabha: TMC demands assembly elections in Manipur

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee on Tuesday said that Manipur has not received justice from the prime minister and demanded that assembly elections be held immediately in the state. Participating in a debate on the supplementary demands for grants, excess grants and the Manipur budget, Banerjee said the Centre should have imposed President's Rule in Manipur 18 months ago.

"We went to Manipur 18 months back and demanded imposition of Article 356. But at that time, Article 356 was not imposed. Now 356 has been imposed," he said.

As a result, Banerjee said, many people have died in Manipur due to violence and religious structures, including churches and temples, have been vandalised.