Opposition MPs walk out of Rajya Sabha demanding discussion on SIR
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The opposition MPs on Wednesday walked out of the Rajya Sabha after reiterating their demand to hold a debate on the Special Intensive Revision ( SIR ) of electoral rolls in Bihar.The Upper House witnessed two adjournments in the pre-lunch sitting before reassembling at 2 pm.Soon, the opposition MPs were once again on their feet, raising the demand for a discussion on the SIR and accusing the Union government of "vote theft".The House, however, took up The Indian Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The opposition MPs then staged a walkout, even as the House proceedings continued.
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Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Online gaming bill gets LS approval within 7 minutes
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed legislation completely prohibiting online money gaming in India, seven minutes after the Union minister for electronics and information technology (Meity) introduced the bill. Online gaming bill gets LS approval within 7 minutes Cleared by the Union cabinet only a day earlier, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 cleared its first legislative hurdle amid criticism from people in the gaming industry, who cited thousands of crores in revenues and investments involving the sector. The government, however, believes the benefits of banning online money games outweighs the costs, a senior government official requesting anonymity said. In Lok Sabha, where the bill sailed through amid opposition parliamentarian's protests, minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the legislation was necessary to tackle a segment of gaming that is of significant concern. 'Over the last 11 years, digital technology has expanded on a massive scale, giving India a new identity. One sector closely tied to this growth is online gaming, which has three key segments,' Vaishnaw told Parliament. 'The first is e-sports, an emerging field that promotes strategic thinking, teamwork, and cultural exchange. The second is online social games like solitaire, chess, and sudoku that many of us have played. The third, however, is online money games — a segment that has become a serious concern for society today.' The law bans all online money games, from fantasy sports to poker, rummy and online lotteries. Facilitators face up to three years imprisonment, fines of ₹1 crore, or both. Advertising such platforms carries penalties of two years imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh. Government estimates suggest 450 million Indians play online money games, with approximately ₹20,000 crore lost annually. The industry generates ₹31,000 crore in annual revenues, has attracted ₹25,000 crore in foreign investment since June 2022, and supports around 400 startups, according to the letter floated by the industry body to Amit Shah. 'Many families suffer because people in their families get addicted to online money games, and life-long savings are lost to these money games,' Vaishnaw said. The senior government official cited above added the bill was kept under wraps as it was considered too sensitive to publicise. Online gaming encompasses a broad spectrum, from casual mobile games to money-based platforms. Several states have targeted the latter, citing constitutional authority to regulate gambling. However, this approach has created legal confusion over skill versus chance games, with courts delivering conflicting rulings on platforms like rummy and fantasy cricket. At present, India has no federal regulation on online gaming. 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The bill still has a long way to go before being fully operational – it needs to next be approved by the Rajya Sabha, before rules are framed for its implementation. IT secretary S Krishnan told HT the government would hold consultations with stakeholders before drafting implementation rules. 'All ministries supported the bill. The finance ministry raised concerns over payment transactions, and the Financial Intelligence Unit will keep a close watch on them,' he added. Critics argued the ban abandons a more measured regulatory approach and would benefit offshore operators while harming compliant domestic companies. The legislation effectively scraps proposed amendments to IT Rules 2023 that would have created a system where self-regulatory bodies vetted online real-money games and provided consumer complaint channels. 'The IT Rules amendment was a proportionate framework that adequately addressed consumer welfare concerns and would have created a way to signal to consumers which platforms can be trusted and which cannot. Most importantly, it gave them an opportunity for recourse,' said Megha Bal, director at Esya Centre, a tech policy think tank. 'The government has, in one fell swoop, wiped out companies that were onshore and willing to comply with a regulatory framework,' Bal added. The legislation comes amid an Enforcement Directorate investigation into celebrities promoting betting platforms, with the agency questioning film stars, cricketers and influencers over money laundering concerns. The bill, however, promotes e-Sports as legitimate competition while banning money-based gaming, marking one of the world's strictest regulatory approaches to digital gambling. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urged MPs to back the bill, calling it a 'good bill,' even as opposition protests disrupted proceedings. 'I request members to return to their seats and discuss the matter. I am ready to allow a debate. Do you not want to debate this issue?' he asked amid the uproar.
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
RS approves bill to set up IIM in Guwahati
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Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Amendment new strategy by neo fascist politics: CM
T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Sangh Parivar was employing a new strategy to target non-BJP state govts and the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025– introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday – can only be seen as part of the central govt's political decision. "This is a continuation of the vendetta politics using central investigative agencies. There was a longstanding attempt to destabilize state govts by weaponizing central agencies. As part of that, chief ministers and ministers who hold constitutional responsibilities in the country were imprisoned for extended periods. The frustration over their refusal to resign is what prompted the hasty introduction of this amendment," he said. The attempt is to trap individuals in fake cases, imprison them and disqualify them—this is the new experiment of neo-fascist politics, said Vijayan. "BJP members must explain under what constitutional morality those arrested in corruption cases become sanctified upon joining their party. The move to destabilize state govts is a continuation of efforts to undermine the constitutional rights of states and establish that governors have veto power over legislatures," he said. Vijayan said strong protest should arise from all democratic believers against the anti-democratic moves of Sangh Parivar targeting political opponents. There must be a united move against this amendment, which paves the way for political misuse, he added. Meanwhile, opposition leader VD Satheesan said the proposed amendment in the Constitution Bill, goes against the basic principles of Indian laws and the opposition will strongly protest against this move. Under existing laws, a person is guilty of an offence only when a court of law convicts him or her. "Piloting this bill itself is against natural justice. It is against the principles of law, basic principles of law, because when a person is convicted by a court after a long procedure of trial, then only he/she will be a convicted person; till then, there is a feeling that he/she is an innocent person," said Satheesan. The opposition leader said with this, any central govt can use central agencies to register cases against any ministers of the state govts that are ruled by opposition parties. This can be misused for political gains. This is against the basic principles of law and against natural justice, he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
