Parliament Monsoon Session HIGHLIGHTS: Rajya Sabha chairman accepts BJD MP Mamata Mohanta's resignation

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has accepted the resignation of BJD MP Mamata Mohanta from the House.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasised the importance of state governments acting on early warnings. He assured Kerala of the central government's unwavering support, stating, "The Govt of India stands like a rock with the state and will spare no effort for relief and rehabilitation."

LoP Rahul Gandhi termed the Wayanad landslide a "huge tragedy," praising military efforts and urging government support. Highlighting repeated incidents, he stressed addressing ecological issues and implementing high-tech solutions to aid the affected area.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised Rahul Gandhi for not addressing landslides and floods in Wayanad during his tenure. He also highlighted the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority's 2020 advice to relocate families from landslide-prone areas, which was not acted upon.

In a somber announcement in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that 133 bodies have been recovered from the Wayanad landslides. The toll is expected to increase as rescue operations proceed. Rai informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation in Wayanad. "The data is based on the latest information provided by the state government," Rai said. "The PM is continuously overseeing the developments."

On PM Modi's directives, Minister of State George Kurian reached the affected region on Tuesday night to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts. The government remains committed to supporting the rescue and relief operations in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.

Responding to the discussion on Wayanad landslides, Amit Shah said, “On July 23, nine battalions of the NDRF were deployed following an alert. An additional three teams were sent on Tuesday. If the alert had been taken seriously earlier, the situation might not have been so bad.” 

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the recent landslides in Wayanad as "very unfortunate." He noted that the Kerala government had been alerted about the heavy rainfall on June 23 itself, but failed to take adequate measures to relocate residents from the affected areas.

The Lok Sabha witnessed noisy scenes today as Opposition members sought an apology from BJP leader Anurag Thakur over his remarks on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and persisted with their demand for a caste census.

Regarding the Wayanad landslides, RJD MP Manoj Jha stated that such accidents serve as a lesson. He emphasized the need for better coordination between the central and state governments to conduct rescue and relief operations on a war footing.

The [proceedings of the Lok Sabha have been adjourned amid uproar by Opposition in the House. 

On TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's statement on 'White Paper', Union Minister Pralhad Joshi says, "We will bring a White Paper on Bengal - what all corruption has taken place there." On Wayanad landslides, he said it was an unfortunate natural calamity. "Whatever possible support is needed in all respects, the Government of India will provide to the State Government," he added.

Congress in Lok Sabha will raise the “caste census and women reservation” issue today. Congress whip Manickam Tagore has moved an adjournment motion in the house.

Proceedings of both Houses have begun amid ruckus by Opposition parties. 

As the Parliament convenes for the ongoing Budget Session today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will move a motion for the election to the Committee on Official Language in the Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, will present the Second Report of the Business Advisory Committee.

Congress MP Manish Tewari has given an Adjournment Motion notice in Lok Sabha, 'to have a discussion on the border situation and the huge trade deficit with China'.

Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi has moved an Adjournment Motion notice to raise the ‘flood management issue in Assam’.