On the 13th day of the second part of the Budget session, the Lower House held separate discussions on climate change, as well as the promotion of sports in the country.

Today, the House will continue the discussion on the steps taken by the Government to promote sports in the country.

Parliamentarian Jitendra Singh is set to introduce The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022. Menawhile, Arjun Munda will move The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, for passing.

Here are the latest updates:

12-15 p.m.

Zero Hour underway, members discuss matters of urgent public importance

12-05 p.m.

Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, introduced in the house

Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh proposed the introduction of the Antarctic Bill, 2022. After a voice vote and the ‘ayes’ getting a majority, the Bill is introduced.

11-30 a.m.

Health Minister replies of to Congress MP

“As for the directions given or not given by the Prime Minister, I would like to inform everyone that it is because of the PM’s timely and correct directions that India has been able to do the best COVID management and vaccination,” Health Miniter Mansukh Mandaviya replied to Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

On the matter of ICMR, Mr. Mandaviya said the ICMR has from time to time guided the country, helped in vaccine-related research leading to India having its own indigenous vaccine.

11-22 a.m.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks ICMR misguided the Prime Minister?

During discussions on questions regarding research by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on COVID-19, Congress MP from West Bengal Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asks about the predictions made by an ICMR-run medical journal about the pandemic..

“The COVID supermodel published in Oct 2020, in the ICMR-run Indian Journal of Medical Research, predicted that the epidemic in India had passed its peak in September 2020 and that the country would be able to control the virus’s spread by the end of February 2021, by following the safety protocols already in place,” he said.

“Top govt officials including the PM himself mirrored the rosy projections of the supermodel; Modi ji been said in Feb 2021, that India’s fight against COVID-19 had inspired the rest of the world but barely two months later, India reported record-high levels of COVID-19 cases amid a devasting second wave which left lakhs dead and many more severely ill,” the opposition MP said further.

He then asked if the ICMR “misguided” the Prime Minister or the Prime Minister himself had “misguided” the ICMR.

11.18 a.m.

On minors participating in television shows

Smriti Irani, Minister of Women and Child Development, in response to a question on the mental pressures faced by children participating in television shows, “I support her desire that mental health facilities be given to such children…I would take her position as a suggestion, and in collaboration with my colleagues in the Ministry of information and Broadcasting, hope to reach out to the industry at large, to ensure that the industry and especially production houses that engage with children, can equally benefit from the services of NIMHANS.”

11.02 a.m.

Question Hour under way

Question Hour is under way in the Lower House.

Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of AYUSH, is currently answering questions relating to the Siddha System of Medicine

11.00 a.m.

Proceedings for the day commence

Lok Sabha proceedings commence for the day.

10-40 a.m.

Congress MP Suresh Kodikunnil moves motion for adjournment to discuss “the unprecedented events unfolding in Sri Lanka”- ANI

10.30 a.m.

List of Business

1. Jitendra Singh to introduce The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022.

2. Arjun Munda to move The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, for passing.

3. Further discussion on the need to promote sports in India and steps taken by the Government.

4. Private Members’ Legislative Business.

5. Papers and Reports to be laid on the Table.

6. Question Hour.

10.00 a.m.

Day 13 recap

The Lower House held two separate discussions on climate change, and the promotion of sports in the country.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, during the Zero Hour, raised concerns with regards to the recurrent reduction in budget allocation to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that the price of all electric vehicles (EVs) will be equal to the cost of petrol vehicles in the country within two years.

Mr. Gadkari also said MPs can buy electric vehicles once a charging station is installed in Parliament premises.