Latest news with #SandhyaRai
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
LS passes Two Key Tax Bills Amid Oppn Protest Over SIR; Both Houses Adjourned For The Day
In a brief but consequential sitting on Monday, the Lok Sabha passed two major financial legislations the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 and the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 amid loud protests by opposition members over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Bills were moved by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who urged the House to consider amendments to the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the Finance Act, 2025. The session resumed at 4 p.m. with Sandhya Rai presiding over the proceedings. Despite the din created by opposition members chanting slogans such as "Vote ki chori band karo" and "SIR wapas lo", the Bills were passed via voice vote. The Income-Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to replace the six-decade-old Income-tax Act, 1961 and incorporates over 285 recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. The revised draft simplifies tax language, clarifies deductions, and strengthens cross-referencing across provisions. Notably, it addresses ambiguities around income from house property, including standard deductions and pre-construction interest on home loans. The Bill also introduces clearer definitions for terms such as 'capital asset,' 'micro and small enterprises,' and 'beneficial owner,' while aligning tax treatment for pension contributions and scientific research expenditures. It is set to come into force from April 1, 2026. The accompanying Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduces targeted reforms. It extends tax exemptions to subscribers of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), aligning it with benefits under the New Pension Scheme (NPS). It also provides direct tax relief to the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and its subsidiaries investing in India, under Section 10 (23FE) of the Income-tax Act. Additionally, the Bill refines provisions related to block assessments in income tax search cases, aiming to streamline the treatment of pending assessments and reassessments during search operations. Despite the legislative significance, the session was overshadowed by opposition protests demanding the withdrawal of the SIR process, which they allege compromises voter integrity. The Chair eventually adjourned the House till Tuesday. The passage of these Bills signals the government's intent to modernise India's tax architecture while navigating a politically charged monsoon session. Rajya Sabha also adjourned for the day after special members on certain public issues including use of excessive mobile phone among youngesters, easy access for young generation, even children to obscene material through Internet etc.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
LS passes two key tax Bills amid Oppn protest over SIR; both Houses adjourned for the day
New Delhi: In a brief but consequential sitting on Monday, the Lok Sabha passed two major financial legislations -- the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 and the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 -- amid loud protests by opposition members over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Bills were moved by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who urged the House to consider amendments to the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the Finance Act, 2025. The session resumed at 4 p.m. with Sandhya Rai presiding over the proceedings. Despite the din created by opposition members chanting slogans such as "Vote ki chori band karo" and "SIR wapas lo", the Bills were passed via voice vote. The Income-Tax Bill, 2025 seeks to replace the six-decade-old Income-tax Act, 1961 and incorporates over 285 recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by BJP MP Baijayant Panda. The revised draft simplifies tax language, clarifies deductions, and strengthens cross-referencing across provisions. Notably, it addresses ambiguities around income from house property, including standard deductions and pre-construction interest on home loans. The Bill also introduces clearer definitions for terms such as 'capital asset,' 'micro and small enterprises,' and 'beneficial owner,' while aligning tax treatment for pension contributions and scientific research expenditures. It is set to come into force from April 1, 2026. The accompanying Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduces targeted reforms. It extends tax exemptions to subscribers of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), aligning it with benefits under the New Pension Scheme (NPS). It also provides direct tax relief to the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and its subsidiaries investing in India, under Section 10 (23FE) of the Income-tax Act. Additionally, the Bill refines provisions related to block assessments in income tax search cases, aiming to streamline the treatment of pending assessments and reassessments during search operations. Despite the legislative significance, the session was overshadowed by opposition protests demanding the withdrawal of the SIR process, which they allege compromises voter integrity. The Chair eventually adjourned the House till Tuesday. The passage of these Bills signals the government's intent to modernise India's tax architecture while navigating a politically charged monsoon session. Rajya Sabha also adjourned for the day after special members on certain public issues including use of excessive mobile phone among youngesters, easy access for young generation, even children to obscene material through Internet etc.
United News of India
07-08-2025
- Business
- United News of India
LS passes Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 by voice vote
New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) Amid noisy protests by Congress and Opposition members, the Lok Sabha today passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, by voice vote after a brief discussion. When the House reconvened at 2 PM after second adjournment, presiding officer Sandhya Rai called for the proceedings of the House. However, the Opposition members had already entered the Well of the House raising slogans. Amid the din, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbanand Sonowal moved 'The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 for consideration and passing. Despite the uproar, Sonowal said the Bill ensures greater safety at sea, robust protection of marine environment, faster response to emergencies and comprehensive welfare for the seafarers. It streamlines compliance, boosts tonnage under the Indian flag and enhances India's bankability as a maritime trade hub. He called the Bill as progressive, advanced and modern and said India has emerged as the largest supplier of Merchant Shipping Act 1958 presently governs merchant shipping in India and implements certain international maritime organisation convention. However, the present Act is outdated since it does not provide for some of the critical obligations under the international convention that have been adopted by India, he added. The Act is no longer adequate to realize the country's developmental vision and address the contemporary challenges of the maritime sector. He said that additionally the 1958 Act prioritises regulation over enablement and as a result does not adequately represent the bankability of India as a maritime trade hub aligning the domestic law with international best practices. "The focus of the Bill is increasing India's bankability in maritime sector." The Bill seeks to replace the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The Bill provides for temporary registration to unregistered vessels which are to be recycled in India. The Bill instead requires all vessels to be registered regardless of type of propulsion or weight. It expands the definition of vessels to include types such as mobile offshore drilling units, submersibles, and non-displacement crafts. The Bill adds that a foreign vessel chartered by an Indian person may be registered as an Indian vessel. This will apply where the ownership is intended to be transferred to the charterer after a specified period. The Bill states that the central government may create a new body to regulate security of vessels and ports. Amid the din, Captain Brijesh Chowta while discussing on the Bill termed it as a "landmark bill". He said, the Bill will modernize the country's maritime, create jobs and encourage foreign investments. Moreover, Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal too supported the Bill. The Bill was passed even as the Opposition chaos continued. After the Bill was passed, Sandhya Rai adjourned the House for the day. UNI RBE RB
NDTV
06-08-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Lok Sabha Passes Merchant Shipping Amendment Bill Amid Opposition Uproar
New Delhi: In a stormy session of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the House passed the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2024, through a voice vote, despite sustained protests and disruptions from Opposition members demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. The proceedings, which resumed post-adjournment at 2 p.m. with Sandhya Rai in the chair, quickly descended into chaos as Opposition MPs raised slogans and created a ruckus, stalling normal legislative business. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal formally moved the Bill, which seeks to overhaul the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958 and align India's maritime laws with international conventions such as MARPOL and the Wreck Removal Convention. The legislation expands the definition of vessels to include mobile offshore drilling units, submersibles, and non-displacement crafts, and introduces provisions for temporary registration of vessels destined for recycling -- aimed at boosting activity at hubs like Alang. Despite the din, BJP MPs Brajesh Chowta (Dakshina Kannada) and Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal (Surat) spoke in support of the Bill, though their remarks were largely inaudible amid the uproar. The Bill also empowers the Director-General of Marine Administration to regulate maritime education and training, ensuring Indian seafarers meet global standards. Responding to the Opposition's demand for a debate on the Bihar voter list revision, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju reiterated the government's openness to discussion on any issue, provided it adheres to Constitutional provisions and the rules of Parliamentary business. He cited Rule 325, which prohibits discussion on matters pending before a court, and reminded the House of a 1988 ruling by then Speaker Balram Jakhar, who had affirmed that the Election Commission's actions cannot be commented upon in Parliament due to its autonomous status. "The House is not permitted to discuss the conduct of a higher Constitutional authority," Rijiju asserted, urging Opposition members to respect Parliamentary norms and allow the House to function. "Do you want to break the rules established by this House? Do you want to dismiss the decisions of past Speakers?" he asked pointedly. Following the passage of the Bill, the chair adjourned the House until Thursday, leaving several other legislative items pending. The Monsoon Session, which has already witnessed multiple adjournments, continues to be marred by procedural deadlocks and political confrontations. The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, however, marks a significant step in modernising India's maritime sector, promising enhanced safety, sustainability, and competitiveness in global shipping markets.
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Opposition's protests over SIR in Bihar, Operation Sindoor bring Parliament to a standstill for second day in row
The Opposition disrupted proceedings in both Houses of Parliament for the second consecutive day on Wednesday over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar and Operation Sindoor, leading to adjournments till Thursday. While Lok Sabha was first adjourned till noon by Speaker Om Birla and then till 2 pm by Chair Sandhya Rai before being adjourned for the day, it did witness scant legislative business with the introduction of two significant Bills — the National Sport Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill, 2025, by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya. Proceedings in Rajya Sabha, however, got completely drowned amid the Opposition's demand for a discussion on both issues. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, after the commencement of the proceedings, appealed to the protesting Opposition members to be part of the Question Hour since 11 of the 20 questions admitted pertained to farmers' welfare. Chouhan said the government also sought to inform the nation's farmers of various schemes and measures meant for them; this was followed by the Speaker's intervention. 'Today, a discussion on issues related to the country's farmers is supposed to take place…(but) you do not want Question Hour to take place. You do not want to discuss issues related to farmers,' Birla said. 'You bring placards to indulge in chaos — this is not in congruence with the traditions of the House. I appeal to all of you to go back to your places and be seated…and engage in a comprehensive debate on the issues of the country's farmers… This House is for discussion and communication, not sloganeering,' Birla said. The proceedings resumed at noon with BJP MP Sandhya Rai in the Chair amid slogans of 'SIR wapas lo (Roll back SIR).' She too appealed to the Opposition members to resume their places but to no avail. Despite the din, Mandaviya was able to introduce the two Bills. After another appeal by Rai to abide by the decorum of the House went unheeded by the Opposition, proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm. As the House resumed at 2 pm, the Opposition members resumed sloganeering. Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) Krishna Prasad Tenneti, who was in the Chair, appealed to the protesting members to return to their seats as an important Bill related to the Scheduled Tribes (STs) of Goa was about to be tabled. 'This is not appropriate that you are not giving opportunity to an ST-related bill. Let there be a discussion on the STs of Goa,' he said. As the protests continued, Tenneti adjourned the House for the day. Oppn seeks discussion on SIR, air safety in RS Rajya Sabha, meanwhile, saw a complete washout as proceedings were marked by adjournments after Deputy Chairman Harivansh rejected notices demanding a discussion on SIR, prompting protests. Parliamentarians from all Opposition parties, including Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, protested the rejection of notices, and Harivansh adjourned the House till noon. The day began with Union ministers laying papers on the table of the House. Harivansh then informed the House that he had received 25 notices under Rule 267 (which allows MPs to suspend rules for urgent discussions with the Chair's consent). These notices demanded a discussion on issues ranging from SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, displacement caused by demolition of slums in Delhi, discrimination against migrant workers from Bengal in other states, and the growing number of air safety incidents. Harivansh rejected all notices on the grounds that they did not conform to past rulings and directives. This prompted an uproar from Opposition members, who stood up and reiterated the demand, especially the discussion on SIR, leading to an adjournment till noon. Later, Harivansh sought the cooperation of MPs for conducting business during Zero Hour and urged them to let Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) MP Vaiko speak as his term was set to conclude on July 25. Amid protests and sloganeering, Vaiko raised the issue of the arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka. When the House reconvened, Ghanshyam Tiwari took the Chair and resumed business with Question Hour. He called on Communist Party of India's P Sandosh Kumar to ask a supplementary question but the protests continued. The MP also demanded a discussion on SIR. Tiwari soon adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. When Rajya Sabha reconvened at 2 pm, Vice-Chairman Bhubaneswar Kalita called on Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to move the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, for consideration. While the minister moved the Bill, the Opposition continued protesting over the SIR issue. With the MPs continuing to demand that Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge be allowed to speak on the matter, Kalita adjourned the House till 11 am on Thursday.
