R E S U M E of the Business Transacted by the Rajya Sabha 245Th Session

Home , Anil Baluni, Beni Prasad Verma, Jairam Ramesh, Saroj Pandey

R E S U M E OF THE BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY THE RAJYA SABHA 245TH SESSION

(29th January to 9th February, 2018 And 5th March to 6th April, 2018)

Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi (Website –http://rajyasabha.nic.in)

P R E F A C E

This publication contains a brief resume of the business transacted by the Rajya Sabha during its Two Hundred and Forty Fifth Session.

NEW DELHI; DESH DEEPAK VERMA —————— Secretary-General. May 17, 2018

C O N T E N T S PAGES

1. Summons 1 2. Duration of the Session 1 3. National Anthem 1 4. President's Address to both Houses of Parliament-Laid on 1 the Table 5. Announcement regarding the Leader of the House 2 6. Oath or Affirmation 2-6 7. Welcome to New Members 6 8. Obituary References 7-8 9. References by the Chair 9-10 10. Tributes to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev 10 11. Felicitations by the Chair 11-13 12. Papers Laid on the Table 14-16 13. Panel of Vice -Chairmen 17 14. Reports/ Statements of the Committees Presented/Laid on 17-19 the Table 15. Resignation by Members 20 16. Observations by the Chair 20 17. Leave of Absence 21 18. Good Wishes to the Deputy Chairman 21 19. Farewell to Retiring Members 21-22 20. Withdrawal of Members 22 21. Personal Explanation 22 22. Messages from the Lok Sabha-Reported/Government Bills 23 Laid on the Table 23. Recommendations of the Business Advisory Committee 23 24. Statements regarding Government Business 23 25. Motions f or Election of Members to various 24 Committees/Bodies 26. Matters raised with permission 24-25 PAGES

27. Dispensing with Question Hour 26 28. Questions 26 29. Information to the House 26 30. Statements by Ministers 27-37 31. Special Mentions 38-40 32. Motion of Thanks on the President's Address 41 33. Division 42 34. President's Me ssage 43 35. Supplementary Demands for Grants –– Laid on the Table 44 36. Budget — Laid on the Table 45 37. Budget — General Discussion 46 38. Statutory Resolution s 47-48 39. Government Legislative Business 49 40. Private Members' Business — I. Private Members’ Bills 50-51 II. Private Members' Resolutions 52 41. Valedictory Remarks 53 42. National Song 53 43. Statement s howing the break-up of the time taken by the 54-55 Rajya Sabha on various items of business during the Session 44. Statement showing the time taken and time lost due 56 - 64 to adjournments of the House following interruptions during the Session 45. Highlights o f work transacted during the Session – At a 65-66 Glance

BRIEF RESUME' OF THE BUSINESS TRANSACTED BY THE RAJYA SABHA DURING ITS TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY FIFTH SESSION (29-01-2018 to 06-04-2018) SUMMONS Summons for the Two Hundred and Forty Fifth Session of the Rajya Sabha was issued to the Members on the 12th of January, 2018.

DURATION OF THE SESSION The Two Hundred and Forty Fifth Session of the Rajya Sabha was held in two parts, i.e. from the 29th of January, 2018 to the 9th of February, 2018 and from the 5th of March, 2018 to the 6th of April, 2018. The first part of the Session, which commenced on the 29th of January, 2018 was adjourned on the 9th of February, 2018, to enable the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees to examine and report on the Demands for Grants of various Ministries/Departments. The House re-assembled on the 5th of March, 2018 for the second part of the Session. The sitting of the House scheduled for the 26th of March, 2018, was cancelled. The House adjourned sine-die, as scheduled, on the 6th of April, 2018. The House sat for 30 days and the actual hours of sittings were 45 hours and 17 minutes (excluding recess intervals). The House was prorogued by the President on the 6th of April, 2018.

NATIONAL ANTHEM On the 29th of January, 2018, the Session commenced with the playing of the National Anthem. (Time taken: 01 Minute)

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT LAID ON THE TABLE Secretary-General laid on the Table, a copy (in English and Hindi) of the President’s Address to Members of both Houses of Parliament assembled together in the Central Hall on the 29th of January, 2018.

(Time taken: 01 Minute)

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For Reference and Record The House met forty-five minutes instead of Half-an-Hour after the conclusion of the President's Address.

 Members were informed about the cancellation of sitting of the House through Parliamentary Bulletin Part-II on the 23rd of March, 2018. 1

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE On the 3rd of April, 2018, the Chairman made the following announcement:—

"I have to inform Members, that I had received a letter dated the 2nd of April, 2018 from Shri Ananthkumar, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs informing me that the Prime Minister has appointed Shri Arun Jaitley, Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs to be the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha." (Time taken: 0-02 Mts.) OATH OR AFFIRMATION

The newly elected/re-elected Members made and subscribed oath and took their seats in the House, as detailed

2 below:—

Sl. No. Date Name of the Member State Time Taken

1. 29-01-2018 Shri Hardeep Singh Puri Uttar Pradesh

2. -do- Shri Narain Dass Gupta National Capital Territory of Delhi 0-04 3. -do- Shri Sushil Kumar Gupta -do-

4. -do- Shri Sanjay Singh -do-

5. 05-03-2018 Shri Hishey Lachungpa Sikkim 0-02

6. 03-04-2018 Shri C.M. Ramesh Andhra Pradesh 7. -do- Shri Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar -do-

8. -do- Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha Bihar

9. -do- Shri Ahmad Ashfaque Karim -do-

10. -do- Dr. Mahendra Prasad -do-

11. -do- Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad -do-

12. -do- Shri Akhilesh Prasad Singh -do- 13. -do- Shri Bashistha Narain Singh -do- 0-14 14. -do- Ms. Saroj Pandey Chhattisgarh 15. -do- Shri Mansukh Mandaviya Gujarat 16. -do- Shri Rathwa Naranbhai Jemlabhai -do- 17. -do- Shri Parshottam Rupala -do- 18. -do- Dr. Amee Yajnik -do- 19. -do- Shri Devender Paul Vats Haryana 20. -do- Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Himachal Pradesh

 The Member was permitted to take oath from her seat due to fracture in her leg.

Sl. No. Date Name of the Member State Time Taken

21. 03-04-2018 Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar Karnataka 22. -do- Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot Madhya Pradesh 23. -do- Shri Rajmani Patel -do- 24. -do- Shri Dharmendra Pradhan -do- 25. -do- Shri Ajay Pratap Singh -do- 26. -do- Shri Kailash Soni -do-

4 27. -do- Shrimati Vandana Chavan Maharashtra 28. -do- Shri Anil Desai -do- 29. -do- Shri Prakash Javadekar -do- 0-14 30. -do- Shri Kumar Ketkar -do- 31. -do- Shri V. Muraleedharan -do- 32. -do- Shri Narayan Rane -do- 33. -do- Dr. Anil Agrawal Uttar Pradesh 34. -do- Dr. Ashok Bajpai -do- 35. -do- Dr. Anil Jain -do- 36. -do- Shrimati Kanta Kardam -do-

37. 03-04-2018 Shri G.V.L. Narsimha Rao Uttar Pradesh 38. -do- Shri Sakaldeep Rajbhar -do-

39. -do- Shri Vijay Pal Singh Tomar -do- 40. -do- Shri Harnath Singh Yadav -do- 41. -do- Shri Anil Baluni Uttarakhand 42. -do- Shri Abir Ranjan Biswas West Bengal 0-04 43. -do- Shri Subhasish Chakraborty -do-

44. -do- Shri Md. Nadimul Haque -do- 45. -do- Dr. Santanu Sen -do- 46. -do- Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi -do- 47. 04-04-2018 Shri G.C. Chandrashekhar Karnataka

48. -do- Dr. L. Hanumanthaiah -do- 49. -do- Shri Prashanta Nanda Odisha 50. -do- Shri Soumya R. Patnaik -do- 0-06 51. -do- Shri Achyutananda Samanta -do- 52. -do- Dr. Kirodi Lal Meena Rajasthan

53. -do- Shri Madanlal Saini -do- 54. -do- Shri Bhupender Yadav -do-

Sl. No. Date Name of the Member State Time Taken

55. 04-04-2018 Dr. Banda Prakash Telangana 56. -do- Shri Joginipally Santosh Kumar -do- 57. -do- Shri B. Lingaiah Yadav -do- 0-05 58. -do- Shrimati Jaya Bachchan Uttar Pradesh 59. 05-04-2018 Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy Andhra Pradesh 0-02 60. -do- Shri Syed Nasir Hussain Karnataka

6 Total: 0-51

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS On the 3rd of April, 2018, the Chairman welcomed the newly elected and re-elected Members.

(Time taken: 01 Minute)

OBITUARY REFERENCES

Obituary References were made in the House during the Session, as detailed below: —

Sl. Date of Person in respect of whom Date of Time taken Remarks No Obituary Reference was made passing Hrs. Mts. Reference away

1. 29-01-2018 Shri Mohinder Singh 18-11-2017 The Chairman made references and the Kalyan, House observed silence, all Members ex-Member 0-04 standing, as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed.

2. -do- Shri Khagen Das, 21-01-2018

7 ex-Member, 3. 08-02-2018 Miss Frida Topno, 06-02-2018 0-03 -do-

ex-Member

4. 05-03-2018 Shri Narsingh Narain 08-01-2018

Pandey, ex-Member -do- 5. -do- Dr. Faguni Ram , 25-02-2018 0-04 ex-Member 6. 07-03-2018 Dr. Jinendra Kumar Jain, 05-03-2018 0-03 -do- ex-Member

Sl. Date of Person in respect of whom Date of Time taken Remarks No Obituary Reference was made passing Hrs. Mts. Reference away 7. 14-03-2018 Shri V.P.M. Samy, 02-02-2018 The Chairman made references and the ex-Member House observed silence, all Members 0-04 standing, as a mark of respect to the 8. -do- Prof. Stephen Hawking, 14-03-2018 memory of the departed. Renowned British Physicist and Cosmologist

9. 15-03-2018 Shrimati Hamida 13-03-2018 0-03 -do- Habibullah, ex-Member

Total: 0-21 –———

REFERENCES BY THE CHAIR References were made in the House during the Session, as detailed below: —

Sl. Date of Incident Date of the Time taken Remarks No Reference Incident Hrs. Mts.

1. 29-01-2018 Crash of the Pawan Hans helicopter off 13-01-2018 The House observed the Mumbai Coast. silence, all Members standing, as a mark of 2. -do- Massive fire in a firecracker unit in 19-01-2018 0-02 respect to the memory of Bawana Industrial Area of Delhi. those, who lost their lives

in the tragedies.

7 3. 02-02-2018 Accident of a State Transport bus in 29-01-2018 0-02 The House observed Murshidabad District of West Bengal. silence, all Members standing, as a mark of respect to the memory of those, who lost their lives in the tragedy. 4. 08-03-2018 International Women’s Day. 08-03-2018 0-56 —

Sl. Date of Incident Date of the Time taken Remarks No Reference Incident Hrs. Mts. 5. 14-03-2018 Naxal attack on the 212 Battalion of 13-03-2018 The House observed CRPF in Kistaram area of Sukma silence, all Members District in Chhattisgarh. 0-03 standing, as a mark of respect to the memory of 6. -do- Massive forest fire in the Kurangani 10-03-2018 those, who lost their lives hills in Theni district of Tamil Nadu. in the tragedies.

7 7. 22-03-2018 World Water Day. 22-03-2018 0-02 —

Total: 1-05

TRIBUTES TO MARTYRS BHAGAT SINGH, RAJ GURU AND SUKHDEV On the 23rd of March, 2018, the Chairman paid tributes to the legendary heroes of our Freedom Movement, Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev, who attained martyrdom, eighty seven years ago. The House observed silence, all Members Standing, as a mark of respect in memory of the martyrs.

(Time taken: 0-02 Mts.)

FELICITATIONS BY THE CHAIR

S. No. Date Subject Date of event Time taken Hrs. Mts. 1. 29-01-2018 To Miss Aanchal Thakur for winning bronze medal in 09-01-2018 the Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup, an international skiing event organized by the Federation Internationale de Ski held in Turkey. 2. -do- To the Indian Blind Cricket Team, for winning the 19 - 01-2018 th

5 ODI Blind Cricket World Cup held at Sharjah in UAE. 11

3. -do- To the scientists, engineers and technicians of ISRO, 12-01-2018 0-03 who were associated with the successful launch of its 100th Satellite, a Cartosat-2 series weather observation satellite, alongwith 30 co-passenger satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. 4. -do- To the scientists, engineers and technicians of DRDO, 18-01-2018 who were associated with the successful testing of the AGNI-V Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile. 5. 05-02-2018 To the Indian Under-19 Cricket Team, for winning the 03-02-2018 0-01 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup Title, held in Mount Maunganui in New Zealand.

S. No. Date Subject Date of event Time taken Hrs. Mts. 6. 05-03-2018 To Miss Aruna Budda Reddy for winning a Bronze 24-02-2018 medal in the Women's Vault event in the Gymnastics World Cup, 2018 held in Melbourne. 7. -do- To Ms. Navjot Kaur and Ms. Vinesh Phogat, for 27-02-2018 0-02 winning the Gold and Silver Medals in the Women's to 65 Kg. and 50 Kg. categories respectively and Shri 04-03-2018 Bajrang Punia, Shri Vinod Kumar Omprakash, Shri

Rajender Kumar, Shri Harpreet Singh, Ms. Sangeeta 12

Phogat and Ms. Sakshi Malik for winning the Bronze Medals in various categories in the Asian Wrestling Chamiponships, 2018 held in Bishkek, Kyrgysztan. 8. 06-03-2018 To Miss Manu Bhaker and Shri Shahzar Rizvi for 1st to 12th 0-02 winning Gold medals in the 10m Air Pistol Women and March, 2018 Men events respectively and Ms. Mehuli Ghosh, Shri Jitu Rai and Shri Ravi Kumar for winning Bronze Medals in the 10m Air Rifle and Air Pistol events at the ISSF World Cup Shooting Championships, 2018 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

9. 13-03-2018 To Ms. Muskan Kirar and Ms. Promila Daimary for 07-03-2018 winning Gold Medals in the Women's Compound and Recurve Events respectively and Ms. Madhu Vedwan and Shri Gaurav Trambak Lambe for winning Bronze Medals in the Women's and Men's Recurve Events respectively at the Archery Asia Cup, 2018 held in Bangkok. 10. -do- To Miss Manu Bhaker and Shri Om Prakash Mitharval 1st to 12th 0-02 for winning the Gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed March, 2018

Team Event, Shri Akhil Sheoran for winning the Gold 13 Medal in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions, Ms. Anjum Moudgil for winning the Silver Medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Event and Ms. Mehuli Ghosh and Shri Deepak Kumar for winning the Bronze Medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Event at the ISSF World Cup Shooting Championships, 2018. Total: 0-10

PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE 1617 Papers were laid on the Table during the Session. Some of the important papers that were laid are detailed below: —

Sl. Date Subject No. 1. 29-01-2018 The Economic Survey, 2017-18 (Volumes-I and II). 2. 01-02-2018 Macro-Economic Framework Statement; Medium-term Fiscal Policy Statement, and Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement, for the year 2018-19. 3. 07-03-2018 Annual Report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, for the year

2014-15, alongwith the Memorandum of Action Taken on the recommendations contained in the 14 Report. 4. 08-03-2018 Annual Report of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, for the year 2016-17. 5. 13-03-2018 Public Enterprises Survey (Volumes I and II), for the year 2016-17. 6. -do- Third Annual Report on the Working and Administration of the Companies Act, 2013 for the year ending 31st March, 2017. 7. -do- Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Maintenance of track on heavy traffic sections over Indian Railways for the year ended March, 2017 – Union Government (Railways), Report No.45 of 2017.

 Laid alongwith the Union Budget, 2018-19. For further details, please see under the heading "BUDGET — LAID ON THE TABLE".

8. 13-03-2018 Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 31st March, 2017: (Report No.1 of 2018 – Railways Finances), Union Government (Railways) – Indian Railways Appropriation Accounts – Part–I–Review, Part–II–Detailed Appropriation Accounts and Part–II–

Detailed Appropriation Accounts (Annexure–G) for the Year 2016-17.

9. -do- Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended March, 2017 – Union Government – Scientific and Environmental Ministries/Department, Report No.2 of 2018 (Compliance Audit).

10. 15-03-2018 Annual Report of the Central Information Commission (CIC), New Delhi, for the year 2016-17.

11. -do- Annual Report on the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, for the year 2016. 15

12. -do- Annual Report on the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, for the year 2016.

13. 16-03-2018 Report on the Progress made in the intake of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes against vacancies reserved for them in recruitment and promotion categories on the Railways, for the year 2016-17.

14. 20-03-2018 Consolidated Report on the Working of the Public Sector Banks (PSBs), for the year ended 31st March, 2017. 15. 21-03-2018 Activity/Post Games Report of the Twelfth South Asian Games, 2016, held at Guwahati and Shillong, from the 5th to 16th of February, 2016.

Sl. Date Subject No. 16. 21-03-2018 Statement of the ILO Recommendation No. 205 (R-205) concerning the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience, adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 106th Session held in Geneva from 5th to 16th June, 2017.

17. 28-03-2018 Statement on Quarterly Review of the trends in receipts and expenditure in relation to the Budget, at the end of the third quarter of the Financial Year 2017-18. 18. 04-04-2018 Annual Report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), New Delhi, for the year

2015-16, alongwith the Memorandum of Action Taken on the recommendations contained in the Report. 19. -do- Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended 31st March, 2017 – Union Government (Civil) – Union Territories without Legislatures – Compliance Audit Observations – (Report No.3 of 2018).

20. -do- Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year ended 31st March, 2017 – Union Government (Civil) – Compliance Audit Observations – (Report No.4 of 2018). 21. 05-04-2018 Fifty-fourth Annual Report of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), New Delhi, for the year 2017.

(Total Time taken: 43 Mts.)

PANEL OF VICE-CHAIRMEN On the 9th of March, 2018, the Chairman made the following announcement about the nomination of a woman Member on the Panel of Vice-Chairmen:— "Hon'ble Members, in deference to the wishes of Members expressed yesterday on the occasion of the International Women's Day, to nominate a woman Member to the Panel of Vice-Chairmen, I have decided to nominate Shrimati Kahkashan Perween to the Panel of Vice-Chairmen w.e.f. the 3rd of April, 2018, in place of Shri Basawaraj Patil, whose term of office in the Rajya Sabha is expiring on the 2nd of April, 2018."

(Time taken: 01 Minute)

REPORTS/ STATEMENTS OF THE COMMITTEES PRESENTED/ LAID ON THE TABLE

The following Reports/Statements of various Committees were presented/laid on the Table:––

Date Name of the Committee Report/Statement

06-02-2018 Defence Action Taken Statement on the 10th, 11th , 13th , 17th, 18th, 25th and 26th Reports 07-02-2018 Welfare of Other Backward 9th to 11th Reports and Classes Action Taken Statements 08-02-2018 Offices of Profit 24th to 26th Reports -do- External Affairs 20th Report and Action Taken Statement -do- Public Undertakings 22nd Report 09-02-2018 Human Resource Development 300th and 301st Reports

Date Name of the Committee Report/Statement

09-02-2018 Public Accounts Committee 87th to 89th Reports 06-03-2018 Transport, Tourism and Culture 257th to 261st Reports -do- Agriculture 47th to 50th Reports -do- Railways 19th Report -do- Rural Development 42nd to 45th Reports 07-03-2018 Energy 31st to 37th Reports 08-03-2018 Health and Family Welfare 106th and 107th Reports -do- Home Affairs 205th to 208th Reports -do- Human Resource Development 302nd and 303rd Reports -do- Social Justice and Empowerment 50th to 53rd Reports 09-03-2018 Human Resource Development 304th and 305th Reports -do- External Affairs 21st Report -do- Finance 57th to 61st Reports -do- Food, Consumer Affairs and 20th and 21st Reports Public Distribution -do- Urban Development 22nd Report 13-03-2018 Home Affairs 209th Report -do- Science and Technology, 309th to 315th Reports Environment and Forests -do- Chemicals and Fertilizers 43rd to 45th Reports -do- Coal and Steel 38th to 41st Reports -do- Defence 37th to 43rd Reports -do- Energy 38th and 39th Reports -do- Information Technology 45th to 49th Reports

Date Name of the Committee Report/Statement 13-03-2018 Labour 34th to 36th Reports -do- Petroleum and Natural Gas 23rd Report -do- Rural Development 46th to 48th Reports -do- Water Resources 20th and 21st Reports 14-03-2018 Commerce 140th and 141st Reports -do- Personnel, Public Grievances, 95th and 96th Reports Law and Justice 15-03-2018 Papers Laid on the Table 153rd Report -do- Health and Family Welfare 108th Report -do- Railway Convention Committee 21st to 23rd Reports 16-03-2018 Welfare of Scheduled Castes and 19th to 21st Reports Scheduled Tribes 19-03-2018 Industry 286th to 288th Reports 20-03-2018 Health and Family Welfare 109th Report 22-03-2018 Railways Action Taken Statement -do- Empowerment of Women Action Taken Statements 28-03-2018 Public Accounts Committee 90th to 102nd Reports 02-04-2018 Commerce 142nd Report 04-04-2018 Home Affairs 210th and 211th Reports -do- Agriculture 51st Report 05-04-2018 Labour Action Taken Statement 06-04-2018 Welfare of Other Backward 12th Report Classes -do- Welfare of Scheduled Castes and 22nd and 23rd Reports Scheduled Tribes

(Total Time taken:28 Mts.)

RESIGNATION BY MEMBERS (1) On the 13th of March, 2018, the Chairman made the following announcement in the House:— “I have to inform Members that I had received a letter, dated the 11th of March, 2018, from Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member, representing the State of Karnataka, resigning his seat in the Rajya Sabha. I had accepted his resignation with effect from the 11th of March, 2018.”

(2) On the 28th of March, 2018, the Chairman made the following announcement in the House:— “I have to inform Members, that I had received letters, dated the 23rd of March, 2018 and the 27th of March, 2018, from Shri C.M. Ramesh, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Shri Prakash Javadekar, Members, representing the States of Telengana, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, respectively resigning their seats in the Rajya Sabha. I had accepted their resignations with effect from the 27th of March, 2018."

(Total Time taken: 02 Minutes)

OBSERVATIONS BY THE CHAIR

(i) On the 6th of February, 2018, the Chairman made some observations regarding functioning of the House.

(ii) On the 9th of February. 2018, the Chairman made some observations regarding the first part of the current Session. (iii) On the 16th of March, 2018, the Chairman made some observations regarding the continuous disruption of the proceedings of the House. (iv) On the 23rd of March, 2018, the Chairman made some observations regarding the continuous disruption of the proceedings of the House.

(Total Time taken: 19 Minutes)

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (i) On the 2nd of February, 2018 :— (a) Shri Digvijaya Singh (Madhya Pradesh) was granted leave of absence from the sittings of the House, from the 29th of January, 2018 to the 6th of April, 2018, during the 245th Session. (b) Shri K.G. Kenye (Nagaland) was granted leave of absence from the sittings of the House, from the 1st of February, 2018 to the 6th of April, 2018, during the 245th Session. (ii) On the 9th of February, 2018, Shri Kunal Kumar Ghosh (West Bengal) was granted leave of absence from the sittings of the House, from the 29th of January, 2018 to the 6th of April, 2018, during the 245th Session. (iii) On the 9th of March, 2018, Dr. Narendra Jadhav (Nominated) was granted leave of absence from the sittings of the House, from the 5th to 20th of March, 2018, during the 245th Session. (iv) On the 16th of March, 2018, Dr. K. Chiranjeevi (Andhra Pradesh) was granted leave of absence from the sittings of the House, from the 5th of March to 2nd of April, 2018, during the 245th Session. (v) On the 22th of March, 2018, Shri Beni Prasad Verma (Uttar Pradesh) was granted leave of absence from the sittings of the House, from the 9th of March to the 6th of April, 2018, during the 245th Session.

(Total Time taken: 05Mts.) GOOD WISHES TO THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN On the 6th of April, 2018, the Chairman offered good wishes to Prof. P.J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman who will be retiring on the 1st of July, 2018, during the inter-session period on the expiration of his term of office and thanked him for his exemplary service to the nation and the acumen he showed in conducting the proceedings of the House as Deputy Chairman. (Time taken: 02 Mts.) FAREWELL TO RETIRING MEMBERS (i) On the 28th of March, 2018, the Chairman bid farewell to 60 Members including 4 Nominated Members of the Rajya Sabha representing the States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Himachal 22

Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, who will be retiring in the months of April, May, June and July, 2018 on completion of their term of office. The Deputy Chairman and the Prime Minister associated with the sentiments expressed by the Chairman. The Leader of the House, Leader of the Opposition and some Members spoke on the occasion. (Total Time taken: 3 Hrs. & 37 Mts.)

WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERS (i) On the 7th of February, 2018, the Chairman, under Rule 255 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), directed Dr. K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao to withdraw immediately from the House. Thereafter, the Member withdrew from the House.

(ii) On the 7th of February, 2018, the Deputy Chairman, under Rule 255 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), directed Shri C.M. Ramesh to withdraw immediately from the House.

(Total Time taken: 04 Mts.)

PERSONAL EXPLANATION On the 15th of March, 2018, Shri Y.S. Chowdary, Member, made a personal explanation. On the 16th of March, 2018, Shri Y.S. Chowdary, Member, concluded his personal explanation regarding facts and circumstances leading to his resignation from the Union Council of Ministers.

(Total Time taken: 13 Mts.)

MESSAGES FROM THE LOK SABHA — REPORTED / GOVERNMENT BILLS — LAID ON THE TABLE Secretary-General reported to the Rajya Sabha, 13 messages received from the Lok Sabha and laid on the Table, 5 Government Bills, as passed by the Lok Sabha, during the Session. (Total Time taken: 06 Mts.)

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 3 Meetings of the Business Advisory Committee were held during the Session to allocate time for Government Legislative and other Business. Recommendations of the Committee in respect of the meetings were reported to the House on the dates mentioned below: —

Sl. No. Date of BAC Date of announcement of Time taken Meeting the recommendations of Hrs.Mts. BAC in the House 1. 29-01-2018 02-02-2018 0-01 2. 08-02-2018 09-02-2018 0-01 3. 06-03-2018 07-03-2018 0-01

Total: 0-03

STATEMENTS REGARDING GOVERNMENT BUSINESS 3 Statements regarding Government Business were made in the House on the following dates during the Session: —

Sl. Date Time taken No. Hrs.Mts. 1. 09-03-2018 0-01 2. 16-03-2018 0-02 3. 23-03-2018 0-03

Total: 0-06

MOTIONS FOR ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES/BODIES

Time taken Sl. Date Name of the Committee/Body Hrs. Mts. No.

1. 09-03 -2018 Committee on Public Undertakings 0-01 2. -do- Public Accounts Committee 0-01 3. -do- Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes 0-01 and Scheduled Tribes 4. 15- 03-2018 Council of the Indian Institute of Science, 0-01 Bangalore 5. 16- 03-2018 Central Silk Board 0-01 6. -do- National Tiger Conservation Authority 0-01 7. 19- 03-2018 Joint Committee on the Financial 0-01 Resolution and Deposit Insurance Bill, 2017 8. 23- 03-2018 Rehabilitation Council of India 0-01 9. 04- 04-2018 Central Advisory Committee for the 0-01 National Cadet Corps 10. -do- Committee on Official Language 0-01 Total : 0-10

MATTERS RAISED WITH PERMISSION

I. On the 5th of February, 2018:— (1) Shri Derek O' Brien raised a matter regarding stoppage of train service on eight routes in West Bengal.

II. On the 7th of February, 2018:— (2) Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad raised a matter regarding deteriorating security situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Shri Vivek K. Tankha also spoke. 25

(3) Sardar Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa raised a matter regarding issue of involvement of a former Union Minister in the 1984 anti-sikh riots in Delhi as revealed in a recent sting operation by a news channel. (4) Shri Manish Gupta raised a matter regarding need to eliminate manual scavenging in the country. (5) Shri Naresh Agrawal raised a matter regarding deteriorating condition of the real estate sector. (6) Shri Harivansh raised a matter regarding concern over quality of education in the country. (7) Shrimati Sampatiya Uikey raised a matter regarding pathetic condition of cooks employed in government schools. (8) Shri Vivek Gupta raised a matter regarding need to declare the birthdays of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as National Holidays. (9) Shri K.K. Ragesh raised a matter regarding need to withdraw the increased excise duties on petrol and diesel. (10) Shri Sanjiv Kumar raised a matter regarding concern over deaths and destruction due to underground fire in Koyalanchal, Jharkhand. (11) Shrimati Rajani Patil raised a matter regarding need to pass the Women Reservation Bill for empowerment of women. (12) Shri Sanjay Singh raised a matter regarding problem being faced by businessmen due to sealing of commercial establishments in Delhi. (13) Shri V. Vijayasai Reddy raised a matter regarding need to recognize Doctor of Pharmacy graduates as medical practioners. (14) Dr. T. Subbarami Reddy raised a matter regarding concern over missing oil tanker with 22 Indian sailors off the coast of Benin, West African country. (15) Shrimati Sasiskala Pushpa raised a matter regarding need to make Tamil as official language of the Madras High Court. (16) Shri P.L. Punia raised a matter regarding need to pass the SC/ST Reservation (Post and Services) Bill, 2008 in the 245th Session.

(Total Time taken: 48 Mts.) 26

DISPENSING WITH QUESTION HOUR

(i) On the 7th of February, 2018, on a suggestion made by Shri Naresh Agrawal and some other Members and agreed to by the House to dispense with the Question Hour to take up discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, the Chairman dispensed with the Question Hour and took up the discussion on the Motion.

(ii) On the 8th of February, 2018, on a suggestion made by Shri Naresh Agrawal and some other Members and agreed to by the House to dispense with the Question Hour to take up discussion on the Union Budget, 2018-19, the Chairman dispensed with the Question Hour.

(iii) On the 9th of February, 2018, on a suggestion made by some Members and agreed to by the House to dispense with the Question Hour to take up discussion on the Union Budget, 2018-19, the Chairman dispensed with the Question Hour.

(Total Time taken: 03 Mts.)

QUESTIONS

434 Starred Questions were put down in the List of Questions for oral answers, out of which 5 Questions were orally answered and answers to the remaining ones were laid on the Table of the House.

(Total Time taken: 51 Mts.) 4632 Unstarred Questions were put down in the List of Questions and written answers in respect thereof were laid on the Table of the House

INFORMATION TO THE HOUSE On the 20th of March, 2018, Shrimati Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, informed the House about the sequence of events leading to abduction and killing of 39 Indians by ISIS in June, 2015 in Mosul, Iraq.

(Time taken: 15Mts.)

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS The following Statements were laid on the Table, by Ministers in pursuance of the Direction of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, dated the 24th September, 2004 in accordance with the provisions of Rule 266 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States: —

Sl. Date Subject matter of the Statement Name of the Time taken No. Minister Hrs.Mts.

1. 08-02-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri 0-01 Thirty-sixth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Thaawarchand

Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment on Gehlot

Demands for Grants (2017-18) pertaining to the Department of 27

Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

2. 09-02-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Mansukh Thirtieth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Mandaviya Standing Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers on the Action Taken by the Government on the 0-01 observations/recommendations contained in the Twenty-fourth Report on ‘Cluster Development Programme for Pharma Sector (CDP-PS)' pertaining to the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.

Sl. Date Subject matter of the Statement Name of the Time taken No. Minister Hrs. Mts. 3. 07-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri C.R. 0-01 One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Report of the Department-related Chaudhary Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce on the Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the One Hundred and Thirty-third Report on Demands for Grants (2017-18), Demand No. 12, pertaining to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

4. 12-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Dr. Subhash 0-01 Twenty-second Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Ramrao Bhamre 28 Standing Committee on Defence on Demands for Grants (2016-17) on the subject 'Capital Outlay on Defence Services (Demand No. 23)', pertaining to the Ministry of Defence.

5. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri S.S. 0-01 Thirty-fifth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Ahluwalia Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.

6. 15-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri 0-01 Twenty Fifth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Thaawarchand Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment on Gehlot "Persons affected by alcoholism and Substance (Drug) abuse, their treatment/rehabilitation and role of voluntary organisation", pertaining to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

7. 19-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Seventh Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2015-16), pertaining to the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.

8. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Narendra 0-01 29

Twenty-second Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Singh Tomar Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2016-17), pertaining to the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.

9. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Thirty-third Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.

Sl. Date Subject matter of the Statement Name of the Time taken No. Minister Hrs. Mts. 10. 19-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Dharmendra — Fifth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Pradhan Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas on "National Auto Fuel Policy", pertaining to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. 11. 21-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Kiren Rijiju Two Hundred and Third Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs on "Border

Security: Capacity Building and Institutions". 12. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri P.P. 0-01 One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Report of the Department- Chaudhary related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce on the Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations contained in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Report of the Committee on "Industrial Policy in the changing Global scenario", pertaining to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

13. 22-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Dr. Harsh 0-01 Three Hundred and Fourth Report of the Department-related Vardhan Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests on the Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations contained in the Two Hundred and Ninety-sixth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology. 14. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Dr. Jitendra Singh 0-01 Three Hundred and Sixth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology,

Environment and Forests on the Action Taken by the 31

Government on the recommendations/observations contained in the Two Hundred and Ninety-eighth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Department of Space.

15. 23-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Parshottam — Third Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Rupala Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2014-15), pertaining to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Sl. Date Subject matter of the Statement Name of the Time taken No. Minister Hrs. Mts.

16. 23-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Twenty-fourth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2016-17), pertaining to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Shri Parshottam 0-01 17. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Rupala Thirty-fourth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for 32

Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

18. 27-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Tenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2014-15), pertaining to the Department of Rural Development. Shri Raj Kumar — 19. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Singh Eighteenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2015-16), pertaining to the Department of Rural Development.

20. 27-03-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Fifty-second Report of the Department- related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on the Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Forty-sixth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Shri Mansukh 0-01 21. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Mandaviya Two Hundred and Fifty-third Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on the Action Taken by the Government on the 33 observations/recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Forty-seventh Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Ministry of Shipping.

22. 02-04-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Dr. Harsh 0-01 Three Hundred and Third Report of the Department-related Vardhan Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests on the Action Taken by the Government on the recommendations/observations contained in the Two Hundred and Ninety-fifth Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2017-18), pertaining to the Department of Biotechnology.

Sl. Date Subject matter of the Statement Name of the Time taken No. Minister Hrs. Mts. 23. 02-04-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Ram Kripal — Twenty First Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Yadav Standing Committee on Rural Development on Demands for Grants (2016-17), pertaining to the Department of Rural Development. 24. 04-04-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Twenty-ninth Report of the Department-

related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on the Action Taken by the Government

on the observations/recommendations contained in the Two

Hundred and Twenty-second Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2013-14), pertaining to the Ministry of Tourism. Shri K.J. Alphons 0-01 25. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Thirty-ninth Report of the Department- related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on the Action Taken by the Government on the observations/recommendations contained in the Two Hundred and Thirty-second Report of the Committee on Demands for Grants (2016-17), pertaining to the Ministry of Tourism.

26. 05-04-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Sudarshan Thirty Eighth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Bhagat Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment on Demands for Grants (2017-18) pertaining to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 27. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Fifteenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary

Standing Committee on External Affairs on 'Problems relating to Overseas Indian Marriages: Scheme for providing

legal/financial assistance/rehabilitation to Indian women 35

deserted by their Overseas Indian Spouses'.

28. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Twenty Fifth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary General (Retd.) 0-01 Standing Committee on External Affairs on 'Passport Seva V.K.Singh Projects - Targets and Achievements'. 29. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Third Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Demands for Grants (2014-15), pertaining to the erstwhile Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

Sl. Date Subject matter of the Statement Name of the Time taken No. Minister Hrs. Mts. 30. 05-04-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Fifth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing

Committee on External Affairs on Demands for Grants (2015-16), pertaining to the erstwhile Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

31. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the

Thirteenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Demands for Grants (2012-13), pertaining to the erstwhile Ministry of Overseas General (Retd.) 0-01 36

Indian Affairs. V.K.Singh 32. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Nineteenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Demands for Grants (2013-14), pertaining to the erstwhile Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. 33. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Thirteenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on "India's Soft Power Diplomacy including role of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Indian Diaspora".

34. 05-04-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Dr. Satya Pal 0-01 Two Hundred and Eighty-eighth Report of the Department- Singh related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development on Demands for Grants (2017-18) pertaining to the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development. 35. 06-04-2018 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Haribhai — Twenty Seventh Report of the Department-related Parthibhai Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Steel on Chaudhary Demands for Grants (2017-18) pertaining to the Ministry of Coal. 36. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Shripad

0-01 37

One Hundred and First and One Hundred and Fifth Reports of Yesso Naik the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare on Demands for Grants (2017-18) (Demand No. 5) pertaining to the Ministry of AYUSH. 37. -do- Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Shri Manoj Sinha — Nineteenth Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour on "Deployment of Contract/Casual/Sanitation Workers for perennial nature of jobs in MTNL", pertaining to the Department of Telecommunications. Total: 0-18

SPECIAL MENTIONS The following Special Mentions on Matters of Public Importance were laid/made on the Table of the House during the Session:–– Sl. Date Name of the Member Subject Time taken No. Hrs.Mts.

*1. 02-02-2018 Shri P.L. Punia Need to remove irregularities in the provisions of 0-03 reservation for SCs/STs and OBCs in employment. 2. 05-02-2018 Shri Chunibhai Demand to take strict measures to protect the identity 0-01 Kanjibhai Gohel of whistleblowers in the country.

3. -do- Chaudhary Munvvar Demand to declare potato as the national vegetable 0-01 38 Saleem and increase its minimum support price.

4. -do- Shri Sambhaji Demand to take necessary steps for early passage of 0-01 Chhatrapati the AMASR Bill, 2017, pending in Rajya Sabha.

* 5. -do- Shri Jairam Ramesh Demand to take necessary steps for reorganization of 0-01 the State of Uttar Pradesh.

6. -do- Shri Sanjay Raut Demand to bring an effective legislation to address 0-01 the problem of human trafficking.

* Special Mention was made.

7. 05-02-2018 Shri Lal Sinh Demand to take necessary steps to restore the — Vadodia traditional occupation of quarrying carried out by the people belonging to Banjara and Ode castes in Gujarat.

*8. 06-02-2018 Dr. V. Maitreyan Demand to set up Hindustan Aeronautics Limited 0-03 (HAL) facility for manufacturing light combat aircraft at Salem in Tamil Nadu.

*9. -do- Shri R. Vaithilingam Demand to take steps for expeditious release of funds 0-02 under centrally aided schemes to the State of Tamil

Nadu. 39

*10. -do- Shri Ram Nath Demand to remove anomalies existing in various 0-02 Thakur pension schemes launched in the country. *11. 08-02-2018 Shri P.L. Punia Demand to indicate distinctly the data regarding 0-01 generation of employment under the current Government in the EPFO network.

12. -do- Shrimati Chhaya Demand to stop the diversion of funds allocated for 0-01 Verma development work in panchayats for installation of mobile phone towers in Chhattisgarh.

* Special Mention was made.

Sl. Date Name of the Member Subject Time taken No. Hrs.Mts. *13. 08-02-2018 Shri La. Ganesan Demand to set up a 'Fireworks Development Board' 0-01 to tap the global market. *14. -do- Shri Vishambhar Demand to investigate the deficiencies found in the 0-01 Prasad Nishad houses allotted under DDA housing schemes, launched recently and address the problems being faced by the allottees of flats. 15. -do- Shri Ravi Prakash Need to take measures to prevent conflict between — Verma villagers and wildlife outside the Dhudhwa National Park, Lakhimpur Khiri, Uttar Pradesh.

16. 09-02-2018 Shrimati Viplove Demand to resolve the problems being faced by 0-01 40 Thakur home loan customers due to poor functioning of Private Banks in the country. 17. -do- Shri Ram Kumar Demand for construction of Satluj-Yamuna-Link — Kashyap canal as per the orders of the Supreme Court to make water available to Haryana. 18. -do- Shri V. Vijayasai Demand to set up an enquiry in the alleged violation 0-01 Reddy of pollution norms at SEZs in and around Vishakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.

Total 0-21

* Special Mention was made.

MOTION OF THANKS ON THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

Dates of Member Member No. of No. of No. of Minister Time taken Remarks discussion who who Amendments Amend ments Speakers who Hrs.Mts. moved the seconded admitted actually replied Motion the Motion moved

05-02-2018 Shri Amit Dr. Vinay P. 324 307 38 Shri 14-23 An Amendment 06-02-2018 Anil Sahasrabuddhe Narendra No. 228 moved by  07-02-2018 Chandra Modi, Shri T.K. Shah Prime Rangarajan was put Minister to the vote of the House and the 41

Amendment was negatived. All other Amendments moved were either negatived or withdrawn by leave of the House and the Motion, was adopted. Total : 14-23

The Question Hour was dispensed with on the 7th of February, 2018 to discuss the Motion.

DIVISION

The following Division was held:––

Subject Date of Brief Question on Result as Final Remarks division which Division was declared, Corrected sought subject to Result correction

Motion of 07-02-2018 Amendment No. 228 Ayes — 57 Ayes— #57 The Amendment Thanks on the moved by Shri T.K. Noes— 86 Noes— #93 was negatived and President’s Rangarajan to the the Motion, was 42 Address Motion of Thanks on adopted. the President’s Address

# The final result of the Division was published in Parliamentary Bulletin Part-II No. 57533, dated the 8th February, 2018. 43

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE On the 22nd of March, 2018, the Chairman communicated to the House the following Message dated the 10th February, 2018, received from the Hon'ble President:— " I have received the expression of Thanks by the Members of the Rajya Sabha for the Address which I delivered to both Houses of Parliament assembled together on 29th January, 2018." (Time taken: 01 Minute)

SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS — LAID ON THE TABLE

Date Particulars Minister who Laid on Time taken the Table Hrs.Mts.

08-03-2018 Supplementary Demands for Grants, 2017-18 Shri Radhakrishnan 0-01 (March 2018) P.

Total: 0-01

______

BUDGET — LAID ON THE TABLE

Date Particulars Minister who laid on the Time taken Table Hrs.Mts.

01-02-2018 The Union Budget , 2018-19 Shri Arun Jaitley 0-01

Total: 0-01 ______

 Also laid Fiscal Policy Statements, 2018-19 alongwith the Budget. For further details, pl. see Sl No. 2 under the heading "PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE".

BUDGET — GENERAL DISCUSSION Date(s) of Budget Discussed No. of Minister who replied Time allotted Time taken discussion Speakers Hrs. Mts. Hrs.Mts.

08-02-2018 The Union Budget, 35 Shri Arun Jaitley 12-00 10-40 09-02-2018 2018-19

————

Total: 10-40 ————

 The Question Hour was dispensed with to discuss the Budget.  The Question Hour was dispensed with and Private Members' Business (Resolutions) was also deferred to discuss the Budget. STATUTORY RESOLUTIONS

Sl. Date Name of the Subject No. of Time taken Remarks No. Mover Speakers Hrs. Mts.

1. 07-02-2018 Shri Arun "In pursuance of Section 8A (1) — 0-02 Adopted. 09-02-2018 Jaitley, of the Customs Tariff Act, Minister of 1975, read with sub-section Finance (3) of Section 7 of the said and Act, this House hereby Corporate approves of Notification 47 Affairs No.25/2018-Customs, dated 6th February, 2018 which seeks to increase the rate of basic customs duty (BCD) on chana (chickpeas) falling under tariff item 0713 20 00, of the Customs Tariff Act from 30% to 40%.”

2. 15-03-2018 -do- "In pursuance of section 8A (1) — 0-01 -do- of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, read with sub-section (3) of section 7 of the said Act, this House hereby approves of Notification No.28/2018- Customs, dated 1st March, 2018 which seeks to increase the basic customs duty (BCD) on chickpeas, falling under tariff item 0713 20 00, of the Customs Tariff Act from 40% to 60%.”

3. 04-04-2018 Shri Shiv "In pursuance of section 8A(1) — 0-02 Adopted. 05-04-2018 Pratap of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, Shukla, read with sub-section (3) of section 7 of the said Act, this Minister of House hereby approves of State in the Notification No.36/2018- Ministry of nd 48

Customs, dated 2 April, 2018 Finance which seeks to increase the basic customs duty (BCD) on populated, loaded or stuffed printed circuit boards, falling under tariff item 8517 70 10, of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975 from Nil to 10%." ______

Total: 0-05 ______

GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

Sl. Title of the Bill Date of Date of Minister- No. of Time allotted Time taken Remarks No. Introduction/ discussion in in-charge Speakers Hrs. Mts. Hrs. Mts. laying on the the Rajya Table, as Sabha passed by Lok Sabha

1. The Payment of 16-03-2018 22-03-2018 Shri — 1-00 0-04 Passed Gratuity Santosh

(Amendment) Bill, Kumar 2018, as passed by Gangwar 4949

49 Lok Sabha.

2. The Prevention of 19-08-2013 04-04-2018 Dr. — 4-00 0-01 The Corruption Jitendra discussion (Amendment) Bill, Singh remained 2013, as reported by inconclusive the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha

Total: 0-05

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

I. Private Members’ Bills

Sl. Date Title of the Bill Member-in- Minister who No. of Time taken Remarks No. Charge participated Speakers Hrs. Mts.

1. 02-02-2018 The Compulsory Protection of Shri Rajkumar — — Introduced. 0-01 Witnesses and Victims of Dhoot Crimes Bill, 2017 2. -do- The Heritage Cities and Sites -do- — — 0-01 -do- (Conservation and

Development) Bill, 2017 50

50 50 50

3. -do- The Environment Protection -do- — — 0-01 -do- (Management of Landfill Sites

and Control of Non- Biodegradable Garbage) Bill, 2017

4. -do- The Constitution (Amendment) Shri V. — — 0-01 -do- Bill, 2018 (insertion of new Vijayasai articles 330A, 332A, etc.) Reddy 5. -do- The Constitution (Amendment) -do- — — 0-01 -do- Bill, 2018 (amendment of articles 15 and 16)

Sl. Date Title of the Bill Member-in- Minister who No. of Time taken Remarks No. Charge participated Speakers Hrs. Mts. 6. 02-02-2018 The Cow Protection Bill, Dr. Shri 8 1-38 Withdrawn 2017 Subramanian Radha Mohan by leave of Swamy Singh the House.

7. -do- The Constitution Shri Sukhendu — 1 0-32 The (Amendment) Bill, 2017 Sekhar Ray discussion (amendment of article 366) remained inconclusive

51 51 51

Total: 2-15

II. Private Members’ Resolutions — Deferred

On the 9th of February, 2018, on a suggestion made by Shri Vijay Goel, Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation that the Private Members' Business (Resolutions) listed for Friday, the 9th of February, 2018, may be deferred to take up the discussion on the Union Budget, 2018-19, and agreed to by the House, the Vice-Chairman (Shri Basawaraj Patil) announced that all the Resolutions listed for the 9th of February, 2018 would be taken up in the same order on the first day allotted to the Private Member's Business (Resolutions) in the Second part of the 245th Session.

52 52 52

(Time taken: 02 Minutes)

VALEDICTORY REMARKS On the 6th of April, 2018, the Chairman made valedictory remarks on the conclusion of the Session.

(Time taken: 15 Mts.)

NATIONAL SONG

On the 6th of April, 2018, National Song (Vande Mataram) was played.

(Time taken: 01 Minute)

STATEMENT SHOWING BREAK-UP OF THE TIME TAKEN BY THE RAJYA SABHA ON VARIOUS ITEMS OF BUSINESS DURING THE SESSION

Sl. Subject Time taken No. Hrs. Mts. 1. National Anthem 0-01 2. President's Address to both Houses of Parliament-Laid on 0-01 the Table 3. Announcement regarding the Leader of the House 0-02 4. Oath or Affirmation 0-51 5. Welcome to New Members 0-01 6. Obituary References 0-21 7. References by the Chair 1-05 8. Tributes to Martyrs Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev 0-02 9. Felicitations by the Chair 0-10 10. Papers Laid on the Table 0-43 11. Panel of Vice -Chairmen 0-01 12. Reports/ Statements of the Committees Presented/Laid on 0-28 the Table 13. Resignation by Members 0-02 14. Observations by the Chair 0-19 15. Leave of Absence 0-05 16. Good Wishes to the Deputy Chairman 0-02 17. Farewell to Retiring Members 3-37 18. Withdrawal of Members 0-04 19. Personal Explanation 0-13 20. Messages from the Lok Sabha-Reported/Government 0-06 Bills Laid on the Table 21. Recommendations of the Business Advisory Committee 0-03 22. Statements regarding Government Business 0-06 55

Sl. Subject Time taken No. Hrs.Mts. 23. Motions for Election of Members to various 0-10 Committees/Bodies 24. Matters raised with Permission 0-48 25. Dispensing with Question Hour 0-03 26. Questions 0-51 27. Information to the House 0-15 28. Statements by Ministers 0-18 29. Special Mentions 0-21 30. Motion of Thanks on the President's Address 14-23 31. President's Message 0-01 32. Supplementary Demands for Grants –– Laid on the Table 0-01 33. Budget — Laid on the Table 0-01 34. Budget — General Discussion 10-40 35. Statutory Resolution s 0-05 36. Government Legislative Business 0-05 37. Private Members' Business — I. Private Members’ Bills 2-15 II. Private Members' Resolutions 0-02 38. Valedictory Remarks 0-15 39. National Song 0-01 40. Points Raised 6-19 Total: 45-17

STATEMENT SHOWING THE TIME TAKEN AND TIME LOST DUE TO INTERRUPTIONS/ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE DURING THE SESSION . Date Time Time Remarks Taken Lost H M H M 29-01-2018 0 16 0 00 ––– 01-02-2018 0 01 0 00 –––

02-02-2018 3 46 0 46 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour could not be taken up due to 56

protests by Members belonging to SP, AAP and INC, who entered the Well of the House, displayed placard and shouted slogans against the deteriorating law and order situation in Kasganj (Uttar Pradesh), sealing of commercial establishments in Delhi and demand for special status to Andhra Pradesh, respectively. 05-02-2018 6 16 1 50 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour and Question Hour could not be taken up due to protests by Members belonging to SP, AAP and INC who entered the Well of the House, displayed placard and shouted slogans against the fake encounters in Uttar Pradesh, sealing of commercial establishments in Delhi and demand for special status to Andhra Pradesh, respectively. 06-02-2018 3 47 2 45 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour and Question Hour could not be taken up due to protests by Members belonging to AITC against the interference by the Governor of West Bengal in the administrative functioning of the State and by Members belonging to TDP, who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

07-02-2018 7 07 0 25 The House was adjourned twice due to protests by Members belonging to INC and TDP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. 08-02-2018 7 01 2 19 The House was adjourned repeatedly and Zero Hour could not be taken up due to protests by Members belonging to INC, TDP, SP and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans

demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. 57 09-02-2018 5 45 1 45 The House was adjourned twice and Zero Hour could not be taken up due to protests by Members belonging to INC, TDP and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. 05-03-2018 0 25 5 35 The House was adjourned repeatedly and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Legislative Business could not be taken up due to protests by Members belonging to AIADMK, DMK, AITC, INC, SP and AAP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam and special status to Andhra Pradesh.

Date Time Time Remarks Taken Lost H M H M 06-03-2018 0 17 5 43 The House was adjourned repeatedly and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Legislative Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to AIADMK, DMK, TDP, AITC and INC who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks

especially PNB scam and special status to Andhra Pradesh. 07-03-2018 0 11 5 49 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AITC, YSRCP, AIADMK, DMK, TDP and AAP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of vandalizing of Statues in some parts of the Country, constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam and special status to Andhra Pradesh. 08-03-2018 1 01 4 59 The House was adjourned and Question Hour and Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK and TDP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and discussion under Rule 168 on increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam.

09-03-2018 0 12 5 18 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Private Members Legislative Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK and DMK who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam. 12-03-2018 0 06 5 54 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Legislative and 59

other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, TDP, AAP and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, sealing of commercial establishments in Delhi and special status to Andhra Pradesh. 13-03-2018 0 18 5 42 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, TDP and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam.

Date Time Time Remarks Taken Lost H M H M 14-03-2018 0 11 5 49 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, TDP, AITC and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and

increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam. 15-03-2018 0 18 5 42 The House was adjourned twice and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, TDP, AITC and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam. 16-03-2018 0 32 3 58 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour and Private Members' Resolutions could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK and TDP, who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board and special status to Andhra Pradesh.

19-03-2018 0 07 5 53 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, TDP and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board and special status to Andhra Pradesh. 20-03-2018 0 24 5 36 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to AIADMK, 61

DMK, TDP and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam and special status to Andhra Pradesh. 21-03-2018 0 06 5 54 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, TDP and AAP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam, special status to Andhra Pradesh and seeking review of Orders of Supreme Court banning immediate arrest under SC/ST Act.

Date Time Time Remarks Taken Lost H M H M 22-03-2018 0 17 5 43 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, and TDP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and seeking review of Orders of Supreme Court banning immediate arrest under SC/ST Act. 62 23-03-2018 0 13 4 17 -do- 27-03-2018 0 15 5 45 -do-

28-03-2018 3 50 2 10 The House was adjourned and Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, and TDP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and increase in frauds in Public Sector Banks especially PNB scam,. 02-04-2018 0 06 5 54 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, BSP, AITC and TDP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and seeking review of Orders of Supreme Court banning immediate arrest under SC/ST Act.

03-04-2018 0 37 5 23 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK and TDP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and seeking review of Orders of Supreme Court banning immediate arrest under SC/ST Act. 63

04-04-2018 0 57 5 03 The House was repeatedly adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, BSP, AITC, TDP, SP, AAP, RJD and YSRCP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and seeking review of Orders of Supreme Court banning immediate arrest under SC/ST Act. 05-04-2018 0 32 5 28 The House was adjourned and Zero Hour, Question Hour, Legislative and other Business could not be taken up due to Members belonging to INC, AIADMK, DMK, BSP, AITC, YSRCP and TDP who entered the Well of the House, displayed placards and shouted slogans over the issues of constitution of Cauvery Water Management Board, special status to Andhra Pradesh and seeking review of Orders of Supreme Court banning immediate arrest under SC/ST Act.

Date Time Time Remarks Taken Lost H M H M 06-04-2018 0 23 0 00 —

Total 45 17 121 25

. Time taken includes the actual time spent for transaction of business and the time spent on points raised. . Time lost due to adjournments of the House following interruptions also includes the Time between the final adjournment of the House due to continued interruptions on some issue and the Scheduled Time of adjournment of the House, i.e., 6-00 p.m. (excluding time of lunch-break/recess for 1 hour from Monday to Thursday and 1 hour and 30 minutes on Friday). 65 Highlights of work transacted during the 245th Session – At a Glance Sittings Date of issue of Summons 12-01-2018 Duration of the Session 29-01-2018 to 06-04-2018 Number of actual days of sitting 30 Actual Hours of sittings (excluding recess 45 Hrs.& 17 Mts. intervals) Time lost due to interruptions/adjournments 121 Hrs. & 25 Mts. Time made up by late sittings/skipping lunch 10 Hrs. & 03 Mts. recess Date of prorogation of Session 06-04-2018

Questions No. of Starred Questions listed 434 No. of Starred Questions answered orally 5 No. of Unstarred Questions answered 4632 Short Notice Questions - Half-an-Hour Discussions -

Government Bills No. of Bills introduced - No. of Bills withdrawn - No. of Bills passed/returned 1 No. of Bills part discussed (Under consideration) 1 No. of Bills referred to Joint/Select Committee - No. of Bills deferred -

Private Members’ Business No. of Bills introduced 5 No. of Bills part discussed (Under consideration) 1 No. of Bills withdrawn/negatived 1 No. of Bills passed - No. of Bills on which debate adjourned/deferred - No. of Resolution part discussed - No. of Resolution withdrawn/negatived -

66 Oath/Affirmation No. of Members made and subscribed 60 oath/affirmation

Statements by Ministers No. of Statements laid by Ministers regarding 37 Status of implementation of recommendations contained in the Reports of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees

Matters of public importance raised No. of Calling Attentions - No. of Short Duration Discussions - No. of Special Mentions 18 No. of Matters raised with permission 16 Submission by Members -

Papers Laid on the Table 1617

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NOTES