The Budget Session of the Parliament resumes after Wednesday’s session, in which the Lok Sabha passed the budgetary proposals for Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, among other business.
Amidst arguments that the Parliament should disperse early in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the BJP parliamentary party that the ongoing session of Parliament will continue until April 3 as scheduled.
Here are today’s updates:
Rajya Sabha | 5.00 p.m.
The House begins discussion on working of the Ministry of Law and Justice. Bhupendra Yadav of the BJP speaks.
Rajya Sabha | 4.30 p.m.
‘FM has called a meeting to discuss market shutdown amid COVID-19 scare’
Nitin Gadkari says in line with the vision of achieving a 5 trillion economy, both rural and urban regions will be balanced, there will be no inflow into urban areas for job search, per capita income will increase, and rural industries will be supported.
Responding to a question about market shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister says that the concern raised is legitimate. “The Finance Minister has called a meeting on March 20 to discuss these issues, and I have formulated some suggestions, but it will not be appropriate to discuss them right now,” says Mr. Gadkari.
The present situation is a big problem for the MSME industry too, he says.
In response to a question from Congress leader Anand Sharma, he says the pandemic has affected the market to some extent.
4 pm | Rajya Sabha
Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Nitin Gadkari speaks. “6 lakh MSME sectors were restructured. All the banks have been asked to work on this. They have been given an agenda. Now all the yojanas made by the govt, have been used by the people. Loans have been provided. I have the data with me. All the banks can now finance and the target we’ve set, will be reached. We cover 75% of the insurance. Banks can only ask for 25% collateral. The Indian govt supports all the yojanas. Even women have been given priority.”
MPs ask the Minister about the pending payments, corpus funds and other policies for the MSMEs.
4 pm | Lok Sabha
Ramesh Chandra Majhi (BJD) says that the composition of the institution in the Ayurveda Bill will help it set it up well in Jamnagar.
Ajay Bhatt (BJP) says that India has been the least affected by Coronavirus. The budget allotted by PM Modi is quite sufficient for medical research.
Anto Antony (INC): “Ayurveda is a necessity, especially since the other medicines use chemicals. So the use of other medicines are like a foreign body in our body. However, I have an issue with this Bill. All the objectives of the Bill can be better practised in Kerala and it is probably used as the only state in India as a mainstream medicine. All areas of life impact one’s health. In short, Ayurveda is a way of getting pampered and it is the mother of all healing. Kerala should be called as a maternity home for healing.”
3 pm | Rajya Sabha
Jairam Ramesh (INC) says Mr. Nitin Gadkari’s appointment as Minister has brought a fresh air of dynamism, which is normally not known for dynamism, to which some members applause. “I believe GST was a major reform, it was badly needed, but in the manner in which it was implemented has adversely affected the MSME sector. You can go to any cluster – Tirupur, Avadi, Aligarh, Howrah and you’ll see the impact of GST and demonetisation. Let us look ahead, what are you going to enable to overcome the shocks of GST and demonetisation? I think it is time we change the definition of MSMEs. I have been arguing that we should define MSME in terms of employment. However, after GST I have changed my mind and GST needs to be refined. I’d like the Minister whether there is any plan to change the MSME plan.”
“Mr. Nitin Gadkari is known to think boldly, and it’d be great if he can give a new objective to KVIC. We’d like to know about the revival and recommendations of UK Sinha committee. MSME sector is fundamental to the economic growth of India.”
Ram Vichar Netam (BJP) says, “In the next five years, there will be a lot of improvement. This country is moving forward. Praise the work done by PM Narendra Modi.”
Vijila Sathyanath (AIADMK): “The small and medium enterprises are under-banked. The major affected is the textile industry. Through our Minister of MSME, I want it to be taken to the FM to enable this textile and clothing industry. They are in a panic situation. The employers are migrants coming from different places. Now the migrant workers want to return to their natives. The industry is likely to face loss. They need financial relief. I appeal to the FM seeking financial help.”
3 pm | Lok Sabha
Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam (BJP) says, “People come to India for Ayurveda treatment. Now medical tourism is shifting towards wellness tourism. Ayurveda is not only for treating diseases. Ayurveda is mainly for living a healthy life. The elevation of the proposed institute to that of a national importance will help develop patterns of teaching, the status will give the mandate to get certificate courses, it will also bring together educational facility in one place.”
V. Kalanidhi (DMK) says, “Thousands of roots are being