Finance Minister introduces ‘Aadhaar (Target Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016’ amid protests by Congress.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed the Lok Sabha, replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address.

Earlier, the Congress moved adjournment motions in both Houses of Parliament over the Tamil Nadu Government’s letter to the Centre seeking its views on the decision to free the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Amid protests, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said the issue could be taken up after the question hour.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge to speak on the issue briefly during the question hour.

Mr. Kharge termed the Tamil Nadu government’s decision “very unfortunate”.

Here's the latest from Parliament:

5:40 pm: A Bill to provide Aadhaar statutory backing for use for transferring government subsidies and benefits was introduced in Lok Sabha today, incorporating clauses to keep personal information discreet and it not being a proof of citizenship. > Read more

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley introduced ‘The Aadhaar (Target Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill, 2016’ amid protests by Congress over the legislation being categorised as a money bill which does not need approval of the Rajya Sabha.

4:09 pm: Taking a dig at the Opposition for linking Adani group with the government, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said state-owned Kandla port was more efficient than Adani’s Mundra port, both of which are in Gujarat.

Gadkari’s remarks came during Question Hour in response to TMC member Saugata Roy who mentioned the name of the Adani group when the Minister was replying to supplementaries relating to ports.

4:06 pm: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi demanded the rolling back of the proposal for taxing EPF withdrawal. He said, “EPF is the safety net of the employees and imposing a tax on this is wrong. I will urge the Prime Minister to announce... that the tax will be rolled back."

3:45 pm: Government said it is examining the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to remit the sentence of seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case but made it clear that abiding by Supreme Court’s order on the issue is its Constitutional responsibility.

“We have received a letter from the Tamil Nadu government yesterday and we are examining it. But I want to state about the accused that Supreme Court has given a verdict and to abide by its order is our constitutional responsibility, not only constitutional but also moral responsibility,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Lok Sabha during Zero Hour.

1:40 pm: Mr. Modi replies to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Lok Sabha. > Full story

PM Modi's reply to Motion of thanks to President’s Address in Lok Sabha

1:28 pm: Let's walk shoulder-to-shoulder and do something for the country.

1:28 pm: Accountability needs to be increased. And I can't do this by myself. You [the Opposition] are experienced and I need your support.

1:27 pm: It is necessary that executives need to be accountable. No one is less than the PM.

1:25 pm: All of us have to work together and think of increasing the accountability of the executive

1:19 pm: In 14 years, I have learned to live with criticism.

1:10 pm: The Opposition is concerned how the govt is doing better than it. Mr. Modi cites comparison in some sectors like Railways and MNREGA.

1:08 pm: One MP said Fasal Bima Yojana is only for few districts. I want to say that this scheme will be applicable everywhere.

12:59 pm: Kharge ji said there is corruption in MNREGA and I agree with him. Look at the CAG report of 2012 and what observations were made.

12:57 pm: We would have not had the need for NREGA/MGNREGA If we had eliminated poverty.

12:55 pm: No one will deny that if Cong. would have helped the poor in 60 years, the poor wouldn't still be facing trouble.

12:50 pm: In 1974, Indira Gandhi ji said that we shouldnt portray our nation as weak.

12:46 pm: We are mocking things like 'Make in India'. This is for the nation. If there are shortcomings it may be shared & discussed.

12:44 pm: There are so many MPs (in the Opposition itself) who have a lot to say but if they speak they will overshadow the others.

12:43 pm: Opposition doesn't let us speak out of an inferiority complex, so that the nation can't see our views and skills.

12:41 pm: We will have to focus on primary education. Similarly water conservation is key.

12:40 pm: Why can't we have time set aside where only first time MPs can speak. This will bring a fresh perspective to proceedings.

12:38 pm: PM suggests that only women members should speak in Parliament on March 8, the International Day for Women.

12:35 pm: I want to share my thoughts, not as the PM but as someone who has entered Parliament for the first time.

12:33 pm: I'm saying all this because people must know that bills have been passed here but have been stopped thereafter.

12:32 pm: This was said by former Speaker of the Lok Sabha Somnath Chatterjee & has been repeated a lot .

12:31 pm: I appeal to entire opposition to help in the passage of important bills in both the Houses of Parliament.

12:29 pm: Hindering debate in the House is very counter-productive.

12:28 pm: This is not something I am saying, this has been said by former PM Rajiv Gandhi.

12:27 pm: Bills that are to be passed are for the people. They are for freeing the system from middlemen.

12:26 pm: We should follow the advice of the President on the functioning of Parliament.

12:25 pm: Parliament is a place where debates are to take place, but if boundaries are maintained during a debate then it is fruitful

12:24 pm: When Parliament sessions are not functional, the nation suffers and more than that the MPs suffer because they can't discuss issues.

12:12 pm: Rajnath Singh says, "TN Govt's letter on release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts is being examined by our Govt."

12:05 pm: I mentioned about 'fair & lovely' scheme, referring to thieves who have stolen money and are being allowed to change their black money to white: Rahul Gandhi

12:05 pm: I would request the Prime Minister to take back tax on EPF: Rahul Gandhi

11:34 am: TN govt's letter to Centre on Rajiv Gandhi's killers shouldn't be entertained, they should not be released, says Mallikarjun Kharge (Cong) in Lok Sabha.

11:21 am: It's up to the Govt. to decide, won't say my personal opinion: Rahul Gandhi on TN Govt's letter to Centre to release Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts.

10:42 am: Congress Strategy Committee meeting starts discussion on Tamil Nadu Govt's letter to Centre to release Rajiv Gandhi assassination convicts

10:42 am: Congress members protest at Gandhi statue in Parliament over MoS HRD Ram Shankar Katheria's remarks.

10:40 am: Here's a tweet from the PMO: "This afternoon, PM @narendramodi will speak in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address in the Lok Sabha."

10:37 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with senior Ministers in Parliament gets under way.

10:25 am: Congress moves adjournment motion in both the Houses against Tamil Nadu Govt's decision to give relief to Rajiv Gandhi assassins.

10:15 am: We will discuss it when matter comes to house: Mallikarjun Kharge on TN letter to Centre on Rajiv Gandhi's killers.

10:00 am: Discussion on MoS for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria's remarks to take place in Rajya Sabha today from 2 pm: HM Rajnath Singh

Following is today’s business in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha:

Lok Sabha:

Bill to be introduced:

The Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Bill 2016.

Discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.

Discussion on Budget (Railways) for 2016—17.

Rajya Sabha:

Calling Attention on the inflammatory speeches made by a Minister in the Union Government and elected representatives violating the Constitution and oath of office and the response of the Government thereto.

Discussion on Motion of Thanks on the President’s address.

Discussion on Budget (Railways) for 2016—17.

Bill for withdrawal:

The National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010.

Bills for consideration and passing:

The National Waterways Bill, 2015.

The Bureau of Indian Standards Bill, 2015.