The feet of the reformists are stuck in the Foulad corruption case/ they cannot escape from accountability

In an interview with IRNA's parliamentary reporter, Hojjatul Islam Alireza Salimi, referring to the reformists' creation of atmosphere about the corruption in Mobarakeh Steel Company, said: "The reformers' feet are stuck in the story of corruption in Mobarakeh Steel Company and they cannot escape from accountability."

The member of the presiding committee of the Islamic Council added: "When the issue of corruption was brought up in Mobarakeh Steel Company, the voice of the reformists was raised in the fight against corruption, but now that their names have been published among the corrupt, they have started the game of "Who was it, who was it, I wasn't there?" .

Salimi stated: The story of the reformists in the story of Foulad Mobarakeh corruption is the story of that wrongdoer and thief who runs in the market and shouts "Hey thief, thief."

He pointed out that many people are involved in the corruption case of Foulad Mobarakeh, from the former president's office to other people in the 11th and 12th governments.

The member of the presiding committee of the parliament informed about the serious efforts of the 13th government to fight against economic corruption and said: the government is looking to eliminate the roots of corruption and in this regard, it is very careful in appointing managers in the enforcement agencies.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/the-feet-of-the-reformists-are-stuck-in-the-foulad-corruption-case-they-cannot-escape-from-accountability/?feed_id=15069&_unique_id=6305c6fb946a5

Police raid Shahbaz Gill’s room in Parliament Lodges

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police  has raided incarcerated PTI leader Shahbaz Gill's room in the Parliament Lodges late Monday.
During the raid, police personnel recovered weapons, satellite phone, and foreign currency, Geo News reported. According to details, the raid was carried out under the supervision of a senior superintendent of police (SSP) and Gill accompanied them there with police officials in handcuffs. A pistol was recovered during the operation; however, Gill refused to take ownership of the weapon. Apart from weapons, a mobile phone, satellite phone and USBs have also been recovered from the room. Moreover, his wallet, that was missing, has also been recovered in which two of his CNICs were also found. Along with all these two passports were also recovered. Gill told journalists that he had no clue as to why is wallet was found in the room, claiming that he had left it in the car when he was taken into custody. “My wallet was usually carried by my driver and the room from where the pistol has been recovered was in use of my guards,” he said. Replying to the questions of the journalists, Gill confirmed PTI chief Imran Khan's claims regarding being sexually assaulted in police custody. "Yes, I was sexually abused," said Gill in response to the question. Police then whisked Gill to the Punjab House. They also searched the room used by Shahbaz Gill there. But, they found none of his belongings there, said police sources. Police said Gill's belongings had already been shifted to the Parliament lodges. Police also said a case of the pistol recovered from Gill's Parliament Lodges room is being registered at the Secretariat police station. A red-coloured diary was also found in Shahbaz Gill's room. When the SSP asked him about it, Gill said he didn't know it. "It's not mine," said Gill. The police official also asked Gill about the names of people who lived in the room. Izhar and Jabir lived here, he answered. Sources said Gill's Parliament lodges room is allotted to Senator Abdul Qadir. 

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/police-raid-shahbaz-gills-room-in-parliament-lodges/?feed_id=14404&_unique_id=6303f092ae07d

Iraq’s Sadr calls for dissolving Parliament, holding early elections

Tension escalated in Iraq following nomination of new prime minister by groups close to Iran
Source https://www.globalcourant.com/iraqs-sadr-calls-for-dissolving-parliament-holding-early-elections/?feed_id=6189&_unique_id=62eaca51e7962

Hundreds of Sadr supporters continue to camp at Iraqi parliament

The occupation that began on Saturday was the second time in days that Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr's supporters had forced their way into the legislative chamber.

Despite oil wealth and elevated global crude prices, Iraq remains hobbled by corruption, unemployment and other problems, which sparked a youth-led protest movement in 2019. (AFP)

Hundreds of followers of Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al Sadr have began a second day camped at the country's parliament.

On Sunday morning, the demonstrators marked the Muslim month of Muharram, a traditional Shia celebration, with religious chants and collective meals.

Volunteers distributed soup, hard-boiled eggs, bread and water to the protesters.

Some had spent the night inside the air conditioned building — which dates from Saddam Hussein's era — with blankets spread out on the marble floors.

Others took to the gardens, on plastic mats under palm trees.

A day earlier, they stormed the complex despite tear gas, water cannon and baking temperatures that touched 47 degrees Celsius.

They pulled down heavy concrete barricades on roads leading to Baghdad's fortified Green Zone of diplomatic and government buildings to break in.

READ MORE: Iraqi parliament sessions suspended due to storming by Sadr supporters

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B7tSvlJ7Ss[/embed]

Political deadlock

Nearly ten months after October elections, Iraq is still without a new government despite intense negotiations between factions.

Analysts have said Sadr, a mercurial cleric who once led a militia against US and Iraqi government forces, is using street protests to signal that his views must be taken into account in government formation.

The immediate trigger for the occupation was the decision by a rival Shia bloc, which is pro-Iran, to pick Mohammed Shia al Sudani for the prime minister's post.

In multi-confessional and multi-ethnic Iraq, government formation has involved complex negotiations since a 2003 US-led invasion toppled Hussein.

Sadr's bloc emerged from elections in October as the biggest parliamentary faction, but was still far short of a majority.

In June his 73 lawmakers quit in a bid to break a logjam over the establishment of a new government.

That led to a pro-Iran block becoming the largest in parliament, but still there was no agreement on naming a new prime minister, president or cabinet.

READ MORE: Muqtada al Sadr's supporters storm Iraq's parliamentary building

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gdcvEMQQ98[/embed]

Source: AFP

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/hundreds-of-sadr-supporters-continue-to-camp-at-iraqi-parliament/?feed_id=4649&_unique_id=62e64da83a3b5

Pro-Sadr protesters storm Iraqi parliament over PM nomination

Demonstrators were protesting the recent nomination of Mohammed al Sudani as the official nominee of a coalition led by Iran-backed Shia parties and their allies.

Demonstrators were protesting the recent selection of Mohammed al Sudani as the official nominee of the Coordination Framework bloc, a coalition led by Iran-backed Shia parties and their allies. (Ahmed Saad / Reuters)

Hundreds of Iraqi protesters have breached Baghdad’s parliament in a protest against the selection of a nominee for prime minister by Iran-backed parties.

Wednesday's demonstrators were protesting the recent nomination of Mohammed al Sudani as the official nominee of the Coordination Framework bloc, a coalition led by Iran-backed Shia parties and their allies.

The majority of the protesters were followers of influential Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr. 

The demonstrators, all of them men, were seen walking on tables on the parliament floor, sitting in the chairs of lawmakers and waving Iraqi flags. Some carried portraits of the cleric.

No lawmakers were present, and only security forces were inside the building and they appeared to allow the protesters in with relative ease.

It was the largest protest since federal elections were held in October, and the second time Sadr has used his ability to mobilise masses to send a message to his political rivals this month. 

Earlier in July, thousands heeded his call for a mass prayer, an event many feared would turn into protests.

READ MORE: Sadr’s parliament ‘protest’ serves the pro-Iran groups he claims to oppose

Iraqi protesters storming the parliament building in Baghdad are demonstrating against the nomination of Mohammed al Sudani as Iraq’s new prime minister pic.twitter.com/AArJ471g3A

— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) July 27, 2022

'Sudani out!'

The storming of parliament carried an implicit warning to the Framework party of a potential escalation to come if the government forms with al Sudani at the helm.

Earlier Wednesday, demonstrators breached Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

Riot police used water cannons to repel demonstrators pulling down cement blast walls. But many breached the gates to the area, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies.

The demonstrators walked down the zone's main thoroughfare, with dozens gathering outside the doors to the parliament building.

Riot police assembled at the doors to the main gates. Demonstrators crowded around two entrances to the Green Zone, with some scaling the cement wall and chanting, “Sudani, out!"

Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhimi called for calm and restraint, and for protesters to “immediately withdraw” from the area.

Al Sudani was selected by State of Law leader and former premier Nouri al Maliki. Before al Sudani can face parliament to be seated officially as premier-designate, parties must first select a president.

Sadr's bloc won 73 seats in last year's election, making it the largest faction in the 329-seat parliament. 

He exited government formation talks after he was not able to corral enough lawmakers to get the majority required to elect Iraq’s next president, despite having won most seats in the October federal election. 

By replacing his lawmakers, the Framework leader pushed ahead to form next government.

Many fear doing so also opens the doors to street protests organised by Sadr's large grassroots following and instability.

His followers stormed the Green Zone in 2016 in a similar fashion and entered the country’s parliament building to demand political reform.

Who is Muqtada al Sadr?

Sadr has been a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq.

His bloc's victory in 2018 election was seen as a remarkable comeback for Sadr, who for years had been sidelined by Iranian-backed rivals and was regarded by US and Iraqi officials as an unpredictable maverick.

He reached out to dispossessed Shia and marginalised Sunnis, and restored links with Sunni neighbours while keeping Iran at bay.

READ MORE: Iraqi lawmakers from Sadr's bloc resign amid political stalemate

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/pro-sadr-protesters-storm-iraqi-parliament-over-pm-nomination/?feed_id=2990&_unique_id=62e18b303cbd7

Parliament Monsoon Session Day 7 Live Updates

Here are the latest updates from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during day seven of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.

Here are the latest updates from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during day seven of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament.

The second week of the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament began on a stormy note on Monday as the Opposition continued its protests and sloganeering over price rise, GST and other issues. Like the first week, both the Houses were unable to transact much business on the day’s list. The stalemate in the Parliament is unlikely to end today as the Opposition is expected to take up the suspension of four Congress MPs from Lok Sabha on Monday.

On the listed business for today, the Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is listed for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha. The House is also scheduled to take up a discussion on the need to promote sports in the country at a time when the Commonwealth Games is poised to begin in Birmingham and Chennai gearing up to host Chess Olympiad. In Rajya Sabha, the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 has been listed for passing.

However the morning session of both Houses has been washed out amid sloganeering by Opposition demanding a debate on GST, inflation. Both Houses have now been adjourned till 2:00 p.m. 

To get a rundown of the day’s developments in Parliament in your inbox, subscribe to our Parliament Watch newsletter here. You can also read the latest edition of the newsletter here. Also, check out Parliament Watch from The Hindu, a podcast that keeps you updated on every working day of Parliament.

Here are the live updates:

Lok Sabha| 2:30 p.m.

Lok Sabha takes up Family Courts Amendment Bill 2022 for consideration

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tables The Family Court (Amendment) Bill, 2022 for consideration and passing. Whilst introducing the bill, he stated that the amendment is minor and it would be ideal if it could passed today itself.

Rajya Sabha| 2:25 p.m.

Rajya Sabha suspends MPs for a week, house adjourns for 15 minutes

V Murleedharan, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs moves the motion and Chair adopts the resolution to suspend MPs disrupting the proceedings of the House from the services of the council for the remainder of the week under Rule 256.

MPs suspended include Mausam Noor, Dola Sen, Shantanu Sen, Sushmita Dev, Nadimul Haque, MM Abdullah, AA Rahim, R Girirajan, and V Sivadasan, among others

Rajya Sabha| 2:12 p.m.

Chair and MPs spar about points of order

The Chair questions whether the MPs should come into the well, holding placards. He says that if the disruption persists, he will have to invoke Rule 256 and name the members. Opposition continues to engage in sloganeering. The Chair starts naming members, and requests them to take their seats. “ Mehangai peh charcha ho,” “ GST pe vapas lo” rings through the House as it devolves into chaos.

Lok Sabha| 2:06 p.m.

Lok Sabha resumes proceedings at 2 p.m.

House resumes post adjournment with Rajendra Agrawal in the chair. It is expected to take up matters under Rule 377. Opposition benches reiterate their demand for a discussion on price rise and GST.

Rajya Sabha| 2:05 p.m.

Rajya Sabha resumes proceedings at 2 p.m.

Chair invites members to speak about the Weapons of Mass Destruction Amendment Bill, 2022. Members continue to speak about price rise issue.

Rajya Sabha | 1:00 p.m.

Rajya Sabha adjourned to 2:00 p.m.

Amid continued sloganeering by Opposition MPs, Rajya Sabha has now been adjourned to 2:00 p.m.

Lok Sabha | 12:57 p.m.

Rahul Gandhi detained by Delhi Police

Ex-Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and other Congress MPs take out protest march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk. The Wayanad MP claims that Opposition MPs want debate on inflation, unemployment however such discussions were not allowed in Parliament. Moreover, he added that Delhi Police were not allowing MPs to sit in protest at Vijay Chowk.

He has now been detained by Delhi police and taken to Parliament Street police station

Rajya Sabha | 12:50 p.m.

Questions on GST hike raised

As Opposition MPs continue sloganeering against GST; MPs raise queries on the recent hike on GST on some products. Dy Chair urges Opposition parties to ask their MPs to vacate the well and raise their queries

Rajya Sabha | 12:20 p.m.

Rajya Sabha resumes amid ruckus

Proceedings resume in Rajya Sabha after multiple adjournments. Deputy Chair Harivansh Narayan Singh continues taking up issues under Question Hour. Opposition MPs continue sloganeering on GST, hooch tragedy in Gujarat

Lok Sabha | 12.02 p.m.

Suspended Congress MPs hold protest

The four Congress Lok Sabha MPs, who were suspended for the rest of Monsoon Session yesterday, held a protest against their suspension in Parliament premises. The suspended MPs, Manickam Tagore, Ramya Haridas, T N Prathapan and S Jothi Mani alleged that their suspension amounted to "murder of democracy". In a show of solidarity, leaders of Left parties, NCP, DMK and the Congress joined them in the protest and raised slogans against the government.

Lok Sabha | 12:08 p.m.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.

Moments after the Lok Sabha took up matters under Rule 377, Opposition MPs resorted to sloganeering, following which the House was adjourned till 2 p.m.

Rajya Sabha | 12:05 p.m

Rajya Sabha adjourned for 15 minutes

Amid continued sloganeering, Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for 15 minutes

Rajya Sabha | 12:01 p.m.

Rajya Sabha resumes question hour

The Upper House resumes proceedings as Opposition MPs display protest placards near Chair. Dy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh urges MPs to stop ruckus.

Lok Sabha | 11.46 a.m.

Lok Sabha resumes proceedings

The proceedings have resumed in the Lok Sabha. Mr. Rajendra Agrawal is in the Chair. Question Hour is being taken up

Lok Sabha | 11.27 a.m.

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11.45 a.m.

Amid sloganeering by protesting MPs, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 11.45 a.m. However, before adjourning, he warned MPs not to wave placards or raise slogans in the House. “This is your House, you can debate, or agree or disagree with each other. I don’t want to take action against any MP. But remember the House is not for waving placards. It is for holding discussions on issues of public importance. People of the country don’t want to see you in Parliament with banners and placards,” the Speaker said as he urged Opposition MPs to return to their seats. He also added that questions on GST have been listed in today’s business.

Lok Sabha | 11.07 a.m.

Question Hour in Lok Sabha 

Lok Sabha proceedings on Monday resumed with Question Hour on Tuesday. However, protests by Opposition members continued over price rise, with Speaker Om Birla urging members not to disrupt proceedings of the Lower House.

Lok Sabha | 11: 00 am

Lok Sabha proceedings begin

The Lok Sabha began proceedings on Tuesday with tributes to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the Kargil war. The day is observed as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the war. Opposition MPs continue sloganeering

Rajya Sabha | 11: 00 am

Rajya Sabha begins proceedings, adjourned amid ruckus

Rajya Sabha begins proceedings amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs. Chairman Venkaiah Naidu reads out suspension notices. Due to continued ruckus, House is adjourned to 12 noon.

Rajya Sabha | 10:39 am

MPs give suspension notices

AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, CPI MP Binoy Viswam give Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss the recent GST rate hike, inflation. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi seeks suspension of business to discus “misuse of CBI, ED, IT for political agendas”

Rajya Sabha | 10.35 am

Legislative business in Rajya Sabha

Bill for consideration and passing:

The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022. 

Lok Sabha | 10.30 am

Legislative business in Lok Sabha

Bill for consideration and passing:

The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022

Discussion under Rule 193:

The need to promote sports in the country and the steps taken by the government.

Parliament | 10.17 a.m.

Parliament Watch podcast | President’s swearing-in ceremony, suspension of Congress MPs, and more

In this episode of the Parliament Watch podcast, we cover the swearing-in ceremony of Draupadi Murmu as the 15th president, suspension of four Congress members, and multiple adjournments over sloganeering.

Parliament | 10.05 a.m.

Monsoon Session Day 6 recap

In Lok Sabha, Opposition protests over price rise, GST and other issues marred proceedings in Lok Sabha, with four Congress members suspended for the rest of the session. Speaker Om Birla warned the protesting members, including from the Congress, TMC and DMK, asking them not to raise slogans and display placards. He told them that the government was ready to discuss issues raised by them and stressed that people want the House to function. Proceedings were adjourned.

When the session resumed, Rajendra Agarwal, who was chairing the proceedings, asked the opposition members to take note of the warning given by the Speaker. As the protesting opposition members again stalled proceedings, the Chair named Congress MPs Manickam Tagore, TN Prathapan, Jothimani and Ramya Haridas. He said that the members who had been suspended had shown “stubborn behaviour”, “deliberately and continuously disrupted proceedings” and ignored House rules and directions of the Speaker. The House then passed the resolution by a voice vote and suspension of the four MPs was announced.

The Rajya Sabha took up discussion on a bill on the weapon of mass destruction and their delivery systems, but proceedings were disrupted amid protests and sloganeering. 

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/parliament-monsoon-session-day-7-live-updates/?feed_id=2262&_unique_id=62dfb0dbee676

On Day 7 of Proceedings, AAP Gives Notice on Price Rise & GST

Parliament Monsoon Session Updates, July 26, 2022: Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will begin around 11 AM today, a day after sixth consecutive day of the Monsoon session was marred by Opposition protests over price rise, GST and other issues, leading to suspension of four Congress members and adjournment of the Houses. On Monday, many MPs trooped into the well of the House during the question hour, shouting slogans and displaying placards.

Speaker Om Birla warned the protesting members, including from the Congress, TMC and DMK, that those who continue to shout slogans and display placards will have to do it outside the House after 3 pm. He told them that the government was ready to discuss issues raised by them and stressed that people want the House to function.

Concerns about low rainfall, unemployment, losses incurred by farmers, tribal distress, MNREGA payments and government schools were among the matters raised by members in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour on Monday. However, the voices of these members were drowned in continued protests by opposition parties which were demanding urgent discussions on price and rise and other issues.

Since the start of the Monsoon session of Parliament on July 18, opposition parties, including the Congress, have been protesting against price rise, GST and various other concerns, leading to disruption of proceedings.

Here’s What is Happening Latest in Parliament:

• AAP lawmaker Sanjay Singh on Tuesday a notice on inflation and GST in the Upper House under Rajya Sabha’s rule 267.

सांसद @SanjayAzadSln जी ने राज्यसभा में दिया 267 का नोटिस, महंगाई और GST के मुद्दे पर दिया नोटिस। pic.twitter.com/oKWqlvzaAw

— Ajit Tyagi (@_AjitTyagi) July 20, 2022

• Riti Pathak, BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh, on Monday said that the tribals in her constituency were denied benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Saubhagya Scheme or Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana.

• Jagadambika Pal of the BJP raised the issue of rain shortfall in Uttar Pradesh and said it has caused suffering to farmers in his constituency Domariyaganj. He demanded that a central team be dispatched and a survey conducted to estimate the loss incurred by farmers.

• TMC MP Aparupa Poddar demanded a one-time age relaxation for recruitment into the Indian Army, BJP MPs Uday Pratap Singh and Mitesh Patil asked Railways for stoppages and flyovers, respectively.

• BJP MP Kaushalendra Kumar demanded that the number of days of employment under the MNREGA scheme be increased. He said that in certain areas, instead of 100 days of work people were getting work for just 28 days.

• A trans person applicant may be issued fit medical assessment, provided there are no associated medical, psychiatric or psychological conditions, the government told Parliament on Monday. It said that medical tests administered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for issuing pilot licences recognises transpersons.

Read all the Latest News and Breaking News here

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/on-day-7-of-proceedings-aap-gives-notice-on-price-rise-gst/?feed_id=2166&_unique_id=62df5c07706e4