Minister controversial remarks holdup RS proceeding

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday “strongly disapproved” of Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti’s controversial remarks, saying such language should be avoided.

With Opposition stalling proceedings in Rajya Sabha for past three days demanding sacking of the minister, Modi appealed to members to allow the House to function in national interest as she has already apologised.”I was informed about the statement which caused the controversy on the day BJP Parliamentary Party was to meet. In the meeting I strongly disapproved of the remarks and I said we should avoid using such language,” he said.

In election heat, he said, leaders should avoid using such language.

Modi said after the minister’s apology the matter should rest and the House resume in normal functioning.

The Prime Minister said Jyoti is a first time minister and a new member of Parliament and the House should show magnanimity by accepting her apology considering this.

“When the Minister has apologised, I appeal and request the House (to resume normal business)… In national interest, we must carry forward work (of the House),” he said, adding members should maintain decorum.

Modi said he shared the view that after the minister’s apology, the matter should be considered closed.

Modi came to the House when it reassembled after a 15-minute adjournment forced by the opposition members demanding resignation of the minister.

As soon as the House met for the day, the entire opposition was on its feet to press for the demand.

As Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked ministers to lay the listed papers, slogan shouting Congress members trooped into the Well.

The slogan shouting continued even after he took up Zero Hour mentions.

With members unrelenting, he adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the Prime Minister wants to make a statement and he be allowed to do so.

After Modi’s statement, Anand Sharma (Cong) said the Prime Minister should take strong action against the minister as the Constitution does not permit such utterances.

Finance Minister and Leader of House Arun Jaitley said the Opposition had been demanding that the Prime Minister come to the House and make a statement. Now that Modi has made the statement, the House should get on to its business, he said.

Sitaram Yechuri (CPI-M) said the minister had not apologised and had merely expressed regret.

“Assuming that she has apologised… you apologise only when you have done some wrong,” he said, demanding action against the minister.

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National Day of Thailand

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The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the King and people of the Kingdom of Thailand on the eve of the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand (December 5, 2014). In his message to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of the Kingdom of Thailand, the President has said, “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend warm greetings and felicitations to Your Majesty and to the people of Thailand on the occasion of your National Day. India and Thailand have deep rooted ties spread over centuries that have blossomed into a robust and contemporary relationship. I am confident that both our countries will further strengthen and expand our cooperation in a wide range of areas for mutual benefit. Please accept, Your Majesty, my best wishes for your good health, happiness and success as well as for the well being and prosperity of the friendly people of Thailand”.

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Conservation of 3680 Protected Monuments

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There are 3680 monuments and archaeological sites and remains in the country declared as centrally protected under Archaeological Survey of India and 521 technical personnel have been employed for preservation and conservation work

No monuments of National importance have been neglected for want of adequate skilled manpower.

There are 8434 Sanctioned Strength in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and 2424 vacancies are lying vacant.

Conservation work of the protected monuments is a continuous process. The annual maintenance and upkeep work is attended regularly of all protected monuments whereas special repair works are attended on selected monuments as per the requirement of the different sites and availability of resources.

Monuments of National importance are protected, preserved and conserved adequately by the existing skilled manpower and technical staff at the disposal of ASI.

This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.