Thread by @_maadhyam_

Law Minister moves motion to introduce Election Laws Amendment Bill 2021 in #LokSabha amid protests.

Then Manish Tewari is called to speak on his motion to oppose introduction, he says that it is beyond Parliament's legislative competence, will be detrimental to democracy.

Adhir Ranjan choudhary opposes introduction of Bill
- demands its been sent to Standing Committee
- will lead to mass disenfranchisement
- is legally not sound
- refers to Puttaswamy judgment
- data security concerns, we still dont have #dataprotection law

#WinterSession

Manish Tewari opposes introduction of Bill:
- #Aadhaar act doesn't allow Aadhaar & Voter ID linking
- voting is a legal right
- #Aadhaar can be used only for welfare services
- beyond legislative competency of voters

#WinterSession

Asaduddin Owaisi opposes introduction of Election laws Amendment Bill:
- violates limit set by Supreme Court in Puttaswamy
- violates right to privacy
- violates independent sanctity of election process
- will allow govt to disenfranchise voters, will violate secret ballot

Owaisi also demands division on vote of introduction, but Chair doesn't allow!

#WinterSession
#SansadWatch

Prof. Saugata Roy opposes introduction of Election Laws Amendment Bill:
- violates Puttaswamy judgment, #Aadhaar not a proof of citizenship
- Central Govt interfering with Election Commission, PMO sending letters to EC

#WinterSession

Ritesh pandey oppose introduction of #Election Laws AMendment Bill:
- violates SC puttaswamy judgment
- dalits, oppressed classes will be disenfranchised
- there will be no secret ballot, Govt will be able to see how one is voting

#WinterSession

NK Premachandran opposes introduction of #Election Laws Amendment Bill:
- Right to #privacy fundamental right under Article 21 of #Constitution
- #Parliament cannot take that right away by bringing this law

#WinterSession
#SansadWatch

Shashi Tharoor opposes introduction of #Election Laws Amendment Bill:
- #Aadhaar not a proof of #citizenship, only proof of residence, only citizens can vote, but now residents will also be allowed to vote

#WinterSession
#SansadWatch

Law Minister responds to arguments made by MPs:
- baseless arguments
- misinterpretation of Supreme Court's judgment, this law qualifies
- Representation of People's Act directs Govt to ensure that voter roll is credible so election is credible
- bogus voting should stop

Rijiju continues his argument: legitimate aim and proportionality test is satisfied

And then finally, despite serious objections, the #Election laws Amendment Bill is introduced

Then #LokSabha adjourned till 2pm

#WinterSession
#SansadWatch

#LokSabha reconvenes
Finance Minister is responding to discussion on Supplementary demand for grants.

#SansadWatch
#WinterSession

In #LokSabha, Finance Minister claims that states are in a 'fairly comfortable position' financially.
As on 30 Nov 2021, overall cash balance of states was 3.08 lakh crore approx. Out of 28 states, only 2 states have negative cash balance (didn't say which).

#WinterSession

Finance Minister - in #AirIndia deal, the acquiring company will take over Rs.15,300 crore of debt & wont be a burden on tax payers.
Winning bid was higher than reserve price
Spice Jet was sold for just Rs.2 in 2015, was worth Rs.750 crore
We sold Air India on enterprise value.

Finance Minister:
- total payment on repaying #oil #bonds & interest between 2014 & 2022 is Rs. 93685 crore, Rs.13500 crore as principal amount, rest interest
- tax payers of today paying for subsidy given earlier, will continue to pay till 2026
#sansadWatch
#WinterSession

Amid protests, the Supplementary Demand For Grants were put to vote and cleared by voice vote.

Quickly, the Appropriation Bill was introduced and equally quickly the Bill was passed.

#WinterSession
#SansadWatch

#LokSabha now suddenly takes up Election Laws Amendment Bill for consideration and passage
It was introduced just today morning

Amid protests, Minister speaks on it. MPs object to Bill.
Says that Govt worked with Election Commission to bring reforms

#WinterSession

Minister states that election laws are being made gender neutral
Also claims that for electoral reform, to purify electoral roll, #Aadhaar is being linked with Voter ID, but it will be voluntary, not mandatory.

#WinterSession

Adhir Ranjan Choudhary is called
Why Bill being passed in rush?
If its such an important reform, why being pushed in haste?
Send to Standing Committee

#WinterSession
#SansadWatch

Law Minister intervenes
Claims that Standing Committee on Law and Justice had recommended in its 105th Report about linking of #Aadhaar and Voter ID, will purify electoral rolls

#WinterSession

Nishikant Dubey supports Bill
Bangladeshis and Videshis shouldnt be allowed to vote

There is absolute chaos in the House
MPs are only getting to speak for 2 mins

Kalyan bannerjee opposes Bill
Vinayak Raut opposes Bill, why Bill being passed right now

Supriya Sule- what is the tearing hurry?
If electoral reforms, bring all electoral reforms, bring women reservation also.

Lavu Sri Krishna, Bill needs discussion
In Telangana 30 lakh people couldn't vote
In Andhra, previous Govt could decide who votes who doesn't

Ritesh pandey - why is bill being bulldozed

Anubhav Mohanty - not the proper way, time to pass the Bill, should be discussed by all parties

Asaduddin owaisi - opposes Bill, violates basic structure of Constitution, taking away independence of institution

#WinterSession

NK Premachandran - violation of Parliamentary democracy, MPs not allowed to move amendments

Mohd Basheer - vehemently oppose, shame for legislature

Chair doesn't let any MP speak for more than a minute or two!

Minister now responds
Claims that Govt wanted discussion on Bill
[MPs were not even give time to move amendments or speak on Bill properly]

Parliament Standing Committee had given unanimous recommendation on #Aadhaar and Voter ID linking

There is protest and chaos in House!

Minister continues
- Allowing for people to register on 4 qualifying dates, will help in exercising their constitutional right to vote
- making laws gender neutral
- for election, requisition of spaces is needed for poll booth, after proper notification

Minister concludes:
- on #Aadhaar and voter ID, opposition baseless
- In Puttaswamy, a law is needed to infringe privacy, legitimate aim should be there (aim is to de-duplicate), test of proportionality is also satisfied

Immediately Bill is put to vote!

Though nothing much could be heard, through voice vote the #Election laws Amendment Bill is passed
With less than 30 minutes of discussion in which MPs were not allowed to speak for more than a minute, not allowed to move amendments!

#WinterSession
#SansadWatch