Parliament adjourned after uproar over FDI issue

November 26, 2012

PARLIAMENT

New Delhi, November 26: The storm over FDI in retail rocked Parliament for the third day in a row with a determined Opposition adamant on a discussion on the issue under a rule that entails voting.

While Lok Sabha could not transact any official business because of uproar over FDI issue, the Upper House was stalled by UPA ally Samajwadi Party over the issue of reservation for SCs/STs in government job promotions.

The two Houses earlier paid homage to those killed in the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike on its fourth anniversary today. The Lok Sabha was adjourned at around noon for the day as the House witnessed pandemonium over FDI. The House earlier witnessed one adjournment till noon.

Similar was the case with Rajya Sabha, which was also adjourned around the same time after ruckus created by SP members over the reservation issue. All the while, BJP members were on their feet raising slogans on the FDI issue.

Members of Trinamool Congress, DMK, AIADMK, TDP and CPI also stormed the Well in the Lok Sabha for different reasons, with Trinamool members demanding withdrawal of decision on FDI in retail and making a strong plea for 24 LPG cylinders a year on subsidised rates as against six available now.

Trinamool members chanted "2G mein akaash gaya, coal block mein pataal, dharti gaya Dubai mein, ab jayega bhrasht sarkaar" - loosely meaning that the alleged scams involving 2G, coal blocks and land allocation would culminate in the ouster of the corrupt government. Ramesh Rathod (TDP) raised a placard demanding a bill for separate Telangana in the current session.

With DMK giving notice for discussion in Lok Sabha on the 2G spectrum issue, its MPs were in the well raising copies of newspaper clippings on statements made by former CAG official R P Singh.

Members of the four Left parties were on their feet protesting FDI in multi-brand retail, with RSP's Prasanta Majumdar insisting that there should be discussion on the issue under a rule that entails voting.

BJP members also shouted slogans like "take back the FDI decision". Amid din, HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju introduced a bill to amend the Central Universities Act, 2009.

In the Rajya Sabha, soon after the House paid homage to the victims of Mumbai attacks, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu raised the issue of FDI and was joined by other party colleagues.

Naidu said his party has given notice to suspend the Question Hour to discuss the FDI issue. BSP and SP members too raised slogans against FDI in multi-brand retail. BSP demanded the decision be taken back. Trinamool members were also on their feet.

As repeated appeals for normalcy went unheeded, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the House till noon. When the House reassembled, similar scenes were witnessed and E M S Natchiappan, who was in the Chair, adjourned it for the day.

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News Network
December 6,2025

indigoticket.jpg

With IndiGo flight disruptions impacting thousands of passengers, the airline on Saturday said that it will offer full waiver on all cancellations/reschedule requests for travel bookings between December 5, 2025 and December 15, 2025.

Earlier in the day, the civil aviation ministry had directed the airline to complete the ticket refund process for the cancelled flights by Sunday evening, as well as ensure baggage separated from the travellers are delivered in the next two days.

In a post on X, titled 'No questions asked', IndiGo wrote, "In response to recent events, all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment."

"We are deeply sorry for the hardships caused," it further added.

Several passengers, however, complained of not getting full refund as promised by the airline.

Netizens have shared screenchots of getting charged for airline cancellation fee and convenience fee.

"Please tell me why u have did this airline cancellation charges when u say full amount will be refunded (sic)," a user wrote sharing a screenshot of the refund page.

"Well, but you have still debited the convenience charges," wrote another.

Passengers have also raised concerns about the "cancel" option being disabled on the IndiGo app. "First enable the 'Cancel' button on your App & offer full refund on tickets cancelled by customers between the said dates," wrote a user.

A day after the country's largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled more than 1,000 flights and caused disruptions for the fifth day on Saturday, the ministry said that any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will invite immediate regulatory action.

The refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be completed by 8 pm on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.

"Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations," it said.

On Saturday, more than 400 flights were cancelled at various airports.

IndiGo has also been instructed to set up dedicated passenger support and refund facilitation cells.

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News Network
December 2,2025

A major upgrade in safety and monitoring is planned for Haj 2026, with every Indian pilgrim set to receive a Haj Suvidha smart wristband linked to the official Haj Suvidha mobile app. The initiative aims to support pilgrims—especially senior citizens—who may struggle with smartphones during the 45-day journey.

What the Smart Wristband Will Do

Officials said the device will come with:
•    Location tracking
•    Pedometer
•    SOS emergency button
•    Qibla compass
•    Prayer timings
•    Basic health monitoring

SP Tiwari, secretary of the UP State Haj Committee, said the goal is to make the pilgrimage safer and more comfortable.

“Most Hajis are elderly and not comfortable with mobile apps,” he said. “The smartwatch will help locate pilgrims who forget their way or cannot communicate their location.”

The wristbands will be monitored by the Consulate General of India in Saudi Arabia, similar to mobile tracking via the Haj Suvidha App.

Free Distribution and Training

•    Smart wristbands will be given free of cost.
•    Training for pilgrims will be conducted between January and February 2026.
•    Sample units will reach state Haj committees soon.
•    Final devices will be distributed as pilgrims begin their journey.

New Rules for Accommodation

Two major decisions have also been finalised for Haj 2026:
1.    Separate rooms for men and women – including married couples. They may stay on the same floor but must occupy different rooms, following stricter Saudi guidelines.
2.    Cooking banned – gas cylinders will not be allowed; all meals will be provided through official catering services arranged by the Haj Committee of India.

These decisions were finalised during a meeting of the Haj Committee of India and state representatives in Mumbai.

Haj Suvidha App Launched Earlier

The government launched the Haj Suvidha App in 2024, offering:

•    Training modules
•    Accommodation and flight details
•    Baggage information
•    SOS and translation tools
•    Grievance redressal

Haj 2026 Quota and Key States

•    India’s total Haj quota for 2026: 1,75,025 pilgrims
•    70% (1,25,000) allotted to the Haj Committee of India
•    30% (around 50,000) reserved for Haj Group Organisers

Uttar Pradesh has the largest allocation (around 30,000 seats), though approximately 18,000 pilgrims are expected to go this year. States with high pilgrim numbers include Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Dates of Haj 2026

The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from 24 May to 29 May, 2026 (tentative).
Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for Muslims who meet the required conditions.

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