Parliament Special Session Highlights: Union Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday tabled the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, on the first day of proceedings in the new Parliament House, amid ruckus in the Lok Sabha. The constitutional amendment pertains to the women’s reservation bill, named the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, and provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

Speaking on the first day of the session in the new building today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Parliament that the Union Cabinet cleared the Bill at a meeting held Monday evening. The Lok Sabha was adjourned following the tabling of the Bill to reconvene at 11 AM tomorrow.

In a strong pitch for women’s reservation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of women-led development in the country, highlighting the various contributions made by women in different sectors and fields.The announcement on the women’s reservation Bill came a day after Parliament bid goodbye to the old building, and the MPs moved into the new building for the remaining days of the special session.

Live Updates

Parliament Special Session Day 2 Highlights: House proceedings to move to new Parliament today; Union Cabinet clears Women's Reservation Bill. Follow this space for all the latest updates.

16:49 (IST) 19 Sep 2023

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15:59 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11 am tomorrow

The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 11 am on Wednesday.

15:21 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Women’s quota bill will pave way for their empowerment, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha on the first day of House proceedings in the new Parliament, and said that the long-standing women’s reservation bill, will “pave the way for women’s empowerment.”

15:19 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
PM Modi in Rajya Sabha: 'New Parliament House is a symbol of new beginning'

PM Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha and said, "The new Parliament House is not just a new building, but it is also a symbol of a new beginning."

He added, "The construction of this building at the beginning of Amritkaal and the entry of all of us here will in itself create new energy and new confidence in the hopes, and aspirations of the 140 crore citizens of the country."

15:14 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Law Minister Meghwal introduces Women's Reservation Bill

While introducing the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said,  "This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33% of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of people..."

14:54 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
PM Modi addresses Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the Rajya Sabha on the first day of its sitting in the new Parliament House.

14:32 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Lok Sabha adjourned for the day, to meet at 11 AM tomorrow

The Parliament was adjourned following a brief sitting in the new Parliament building. It will reconvene at 11 AM on Wednesday morning.

14:31 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Law Minister tables the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam on women's reservation

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday tabled the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Bill envisages 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

14:02 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
'Naari Shakti Vandan': Government introduces new name for Women's Reservation Bill

The Women's Reservation Bill, listed in the Lok Sabha today during the special session, will be called 'Naari Shakti Vandan'. The bill will be introduced today by Arjun Ram Meghwal, as per a Lok Sabha notice issued earlier today.

13:55 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
PM Modi makes pitch for women-led development

In his first speech at the new Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a pitch for women-led development in the country, highlighting the various contributions made by women in different sectors and fields.

He also mentioned the Women's Reservation Bill, which will be introduced by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal later in the session. He congratulated women and urged the House to pass it with a majority.

13:54 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
'God has chosen me for this': PM Modi on Women's Reservation Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday presented 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and assemblies.

13:47 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
PM Modi vows to bring Women's Reservation Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi vows to bring Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament.

13:34 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
'In many ways, today is dawn of Amrit Kaal': PM Modi at first session in new Parliament

Addressing MPs at the new Parliament House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this was, in many ways, "the dawn of the Amrit Kaal".

12:39 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
PM Modi urges old Parliament building be known 'Samvidhan Sadan'

PM Narendra Modi says, "I have a suggestion. Now, when we are going to the New Parliament, its (Old Parliament building) dignity should never go down. This should not be left just as the Old Parliament building. So, I urge that if you agree, this should be known as 'Samvidhan Sadan'..."

12:06 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
PM Modi at Central Hall: 'Central Hall inspires us for our duty, makes us emotional'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed MPs from both Houses at the Central Hall in the old Parliament building on Tuesday. 

He extended Ganesh Chaturthi greetings, and said "We are moving towards the new House with a renewed determination to make India a developed nation".

"The old building, and especially this Central Hall, is full of our emotions. It makes us emotional, but also inspires us for our duty," he said.

He recalled the transformation of the building from a colonial institution to the place where India's Constitution was shaped. 

12:02 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Parliament Live: Article 370, Transgender Bill, Triple Talaq: PM Modi recalls historic decisions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of the Central Hall while speaking there on the second day of the special Parliament session.

"The Constitution has taken shape here in the Central hall. In this Central hall, the Indian flag and the national anthem came into being. The place has witnessed several historical decisions by members of both houses. More than 4000 laws have been passed here," he said, mentioning historic decisions including Shah Bano's Triple Talaq case, the Transgender Bill and the abrogation of Article 370 among others.

12:00 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
'We are going to new building to fulfill the resolve of developed India': PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today, we are going to have the beginning of a new future in the new Parliament building. Today, we are going to the new building with the determination to fulfill the resolve of a developed India."

11:52 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Parliament session Live: 'India in its best era', says Om Birla

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla hailed the nation’s 75 years of independence and said that the people of country are lucky to be living in an era where India is reaching new heights. He mentioned India’s aim to turn into a developed nation by 2047, hoping that it would be achieved. He also wished a happy Ganesh Chathurthi to the country.

11:51 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Parliament Special Session Live: Kharge expresses gratitude to PM Modi for remembering Nehru

Mallikarjun Kharge took the stage in the Central Hall on Tuesday. While addressing the House, he said, "It is time to redeem our pledge mentioned in Nehru's 'tryst with destiny' speech."

We are thankful to PM Modi for mentioning Nehru's 'Tryst with Destiny' speech while speaking in Parliament on Monday. We recall the contributions of the first president Rajendra Prasad, the first PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel and BR Ambedkar.

"The success of constitutional institutions lies in upholding constitutional values," Kharge said.

11:28 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
India confronted by challenges which require immediate attention: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, addressed the MPs gathered at the Central Hall, and recalled India's founding fathers and their contribution to India's constitutional democracy.

He also talked about development. "Our ability to achieve developed nation status by 2047 depends on our citizens' development," he said. 

"We are confronted by challenges which require immediate attention and resolution," Chowdhury said.

Human Development Index is common among all developed countries, he said and added that India has been lagging behind in it.

"Why only 2047? Why not before 2047?" he asked, urging everyone to contribute towards the nation's development.  

11:26 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Parliament Session Live: Maneka Gandhi thanks PM Modi for women empowerment

Lok Sabha MP Menaka Gandhi, the longest-serving member of the Parliament, took the stage in the Central Hall during the joint session. She lauded Prime Minister Modi for the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative, as the Women’s Reservation Bill is likely to be tabled in Lok Sabha today.

Sources said the bill was passed in a cabinet meeting on Monday, though the government made no such official announcement. Gandhi also praised the Prime Minister as a leader who looked at people beyond statistics. She called for women's empowerment through empathy and kindness among women.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1704010374264299848

10:53 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Parliament Special Session LIVE: Women's Reservation Bill likely to be tabled in Parliament today

The central government is likely to table the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament on Tuesday, sources said. The Bill seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

10:30 (IST) 19 Sep 2023
Parliament Session Live Updates: 'Need more clarity on intentions with women's bill': Manoj Jha

Speaking about the Women's Reservation Bill, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha sought more clarity on the government's intentions with the bill.

"For the first time, there was no briefing in the cabinet meeting...We want more clarity on the intentions of the government on the Women's Reservation Bill. From Lalu Yadav's time, our party believes that if your idea is to expand the representation then it's not possible until you don't give quota to SC, ST and OBC. There needs to be a quota within the quota. If you don't do this then we have to fight a long fight on social justice..." he said.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1703982951929901083

This special session of Parliament will continue till Friday. During the session, a total of up to eight bills are scheduled for deliberation and approval.