Issues like demand for setting regional Benches of the Supreme Court to make justice affordable to all, release of funds yearly for various activities of Member of Parliament Local Area Development(MPLAD) and unabated supply of adulterated milk thereby causing health hazard figured prominently in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu complimented the members for well articulating their concerns and said it moved him to "tears."
He made this observation after the Zero Hour where the MPs raised problems faced by people in various parts of the country and hoped the House will maintain the 'wonderful' tradition. Earlier, BK Hariprasad(Congress) staged a walkout after Naidu cut short his speech as he raised the issue of floods in North Karnataka.
Naidu ordered that Hariprasad's remarks will not go on record the moment the Congress lawmaker began stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets on every issue but had ignored the floods in North Karnataka. Earlier, at the start of house proceedings, Naidu had warned Vijay Goel(BJP)for speaking without the permission of chair.
Raising the issue of apex court benches, Vaiko(MDMK) sought a bench in Chennai as litigants at present had to travel to the national Capital thereby incurring huge expenditure. Stating that more than 54,000 cases were pending in the Supreme Court, he said the setting up of benches will ease the pressure on the court.
Backing his appeal, P Wilson(DMK) said even the standing committee of parliament had recommended benches of the apex court in four regions of the country. The entire Opposition aligned itself with the issue.
Seeking payment of MPLAD funds yearly, DP Vats (BJP)said the funds of Rs 5 crore should be released irrespective of utilisation fund. Currently it takes two-three years for the funds to be released as first an estimate is made, sanction done and only after completion of work are the funds released, he said adding the delay was more prominent in construction works. Naidu, however, asked who would be the loser if the money is released and not spent. The entire House backed Vats demand.
Flagging the issue of adulterated milk, Harnath Singh Yadav(BJP) demanded death or life sentence for people engaging in this trade. He said adulterated milk posed grave health hazard adding while milk production was 14 crore litres but milk consumption was 64 crore litres thereby indicating that 50 crore litres was adulterated.
Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar assured the Elders that the government will hold discussions with trade unions which have threatened to go on a nationwide strike on January 8 next year.
Stating that the Government has till date not received any notice for a nationwide strike, the Minister said it was learnt through various media reports that some Central Trade Unions (CTUs) have given a call for a nationwide general strike on January 8, 2020.
In September, Central trade unions had given a call for a nationwide general strike on January 8 against Government's alleged failure to respond to demands of workers. As many as 10 central unions announced the strike in national open mass convention of workers. The unions are pressing for a 12-point Charter of Demands.
Gangwar also said the Government has proposed to make a 14-day prior notice mandatory for employees to go on strike under new labour laws. This is part of the new labour law which the Government is bringing and the Ministry is in touch with the various State Governments, he said.