Parliament Budget Session LIVE: Suspension of 8 Lok Sabha MPs revoked; Speaker Birla says no more display of banners, posters

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Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hit out at opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha for creating a "false narrative" that Railways was no more for the poor

Updated - March 18, 2026 10:32 am IST

Lok Sabha proceedings are underway during the Budget Session (2026-27) of Parliament, New Delhi. | Photo Credit: ANI

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) revoked with immediate effect the suspension of eight opposition members who were barred from the House on February 3 for “unruly” behaviour, with Speaker Om Birla stressing that there should be no display of placards, posters, photos or AI-generated images inside the House or in the Parliament complex.

Also read | Parliament Budget Session highlights on March 17, 2026

Meanwhile, member of Lok Sabha and the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas, Janardan Singh Sigriwal, presented the seventh report on ‘Demands for Grants (2026-27)’ for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Lok Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha discussed the Appropriation Bill, 2026. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, after responding to various queries in the House, returned the Bill.

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March 18, 2026 10:32
Standing Committee on Petroleum, Natural Gas presents report on Demands for Grants in Parliament
Member of Lok Sabha and the Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas, Janardan Singh Sigriwal, presented the seventh report on ‘Demands for Grants (2026-27)’ for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in the Lok Sabha.
The report emphasises the need for prudent budgeting, asking the Ministry to adopt sound forecasting models to minimise variations in fund allocations and reduce last-minute surrenders or adjustments. It further recommends enhanced budgetary support for capital expenditure, noting that such spending creates long-lived public assets and drives economic growth and employment. The Committee suggests using government support for infrastructure-led investment as a primary driver for long-term expansion.
-ANI
March 18, 2026 10:31
Over 200 signatories seek Rahul Gandhi’s apology for conduct within Parliament complex
More than 200 retired armed forces officers, former civil servants, including diplomats, and lawyers on Tuesday (March 17, 2026) demanded that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, apologise to the nation, alleging that his conduct inside the Parliament complex was in “violation of decorum and institutional dignity”.
The signatories, in an open letter, said Mr. Gandhi’s actions on March 12 were in “deliberate defiance of the Chair”, and showed disregard for parliamentary authority. They said the Opposition led by Mr. Gandhi disregarded the Speaker’s explicit instructions.
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Over 200 signatories seek Rahul Gandhi’s apology for conduct within Parliament complex
Over 200 signatories demand Rahul Gandhi's apology for alleged misconduct during a protest in Parliament, violating decorum and authority.
March 18, 2026 10:30
₹60,000 crore subsidy, Amrit Bharat trains boost affordable rail travel: Vaishnaw
The Centre is committed to expanding affordable rail travel and improving access for lower-income passengers through subsidies and capacity additions, including the introduction of Amrit Bharat trains, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in Parliament on Tuesday (March 17, 2026).
Replying to a discussion on the Demands for Grants for Railway Ministry in Budget 2026, which was passed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Mr. Vaishnaw said, “General and sleeper class coaches account for nearly 70% of Indian Railways’ total capacity. In 2024-2025, about 1,250 additional general coaches were added, and 860 have been added in the current fiscal.”
The Minister also underlined the Centre’s push for affordable long-distance travel through Amrit Bharat trains, which, he said, help cover a journey of around 1,000 km at a fare of roughly ₹450.
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₹60,000 crore subsidy, Amrit Bharat trains boost affordable rail travel: Vaishnaw
Railway Minister Vaishnaw announces ₹60,000 crore subsidy and Amrit Bharat trains to enhance affordable rail travel across India.