The 14th day of the Parliament session on Thursday, August 6, 2026, was marked by intense political confrontations alongside significant legislative progress. As the day began, the Lok Sabha paid solemn homage to the victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, immediately following the tributes, aggressive opposition protests disrupted proceedings in both Houses. Opposition lawmakers demanded accountability regarding alleged financial irregularities in Ram Temple donations and police action against student demonstrators at Jantar Mantar on July 20. Despite the persistent clamor, the Lok Sabha successfully debated and passed a vital tax reform bill, while the Rajya Sabha discussed and returned the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2025-26 to the Lower House. Additionally, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman delivered a major statement regarding debt restructuring and special financial allocations for Jammu and Kashmir.
Lok Sabha Proceedings: Tributes to Atomic Attack Victims, Protests, and Tax Bill Passage
When the Lok Sabha convened at 11 AM on Thursday, the House observed a moment of silence to honor the victims of the historic atomic strikes on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. However, harmony was short-lived as opposition members rushed into the well of the House, shouting slogans and demanding that Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally address Parliament regarding the July 20 police action against student protesters and allegations surrounding Ram Temple funds. The persistent disruption forced the adjournment of the Lok Sabha until 2 PM.
Upon resuming at 2 PM, the government pushed forward with its legislative agenda. The Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by voice vote. This legislation amends three critical statutes: the Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007, the Income Tax Act 2025, and the Finance Act 2026. Under the new provisions, the tax holiday period has been extended for foreign suppliers, such as Apple, that provide essential machinery and specialized tools to Indian manufacturing plants. Furthermore, the bill eliminates bureaucratic red tape and legal uncertainties for overseas fund managers relocating their operations to India and simplifies regulatory frameworks for international entities planning to establish data centers within the country.
In another key legislative decision, the Lok Sabha approved a motion extending the deadline for the Joint Committee examining the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhisthan Bill, 2025 to submit its official report. The committee has now been granted time until the final week of the 2026 Winter Session of Parliament. Following the completion of these business items, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day and is scheduled to reconvene on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 11 AM.
Rajya Sabha Debate: Appropriation Bill Return and Key Announcement on Jammu and Kashmir
The upper house, Rajya Sabha, also witnessed robust legislative activity. Key parliamentary standing committee reports were formally laid on the table of the House, including those from the Standing Committee on Commerce, the Standing Committee on Industry, the Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers (2025-2026), and the Committee on Communications and Information Technology (2025-2026).
During the afternoon session, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 for consideration and return to the Lok Sabha. This financial measure authorizes the allocation and withdrawal of supplementary funds from the Consolidated Fund of India to meet government operational costs and public services for the fiscal year 2025-26. Following detailed deliberations, the Rajya Sabha returned the money bill to the Lower House in accordance with constitutional requirements.
Responding to queries raised during the debate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the Central Government's developmental achievements in Jammu and Kashmir since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. She explained that during the period of President's Rule prior to the installation of a newly elected local government, the Centre undertook comprehensive measures to resolve long-standing structural issues. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, she emphasized the meticulous planning invested in transforming the region.
Emphasizing the government's commitment, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated in the House, "We will ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are fully taken care of because we are all part of one country." She reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir, including territories currently under illegal Pakistani occupation, remains an integral part of India. She revealed that the Centre has restructured the union territory's existing debt framework and approved an additional financial allocation of ₹5,000 crore over and above the revised budget to accelerate infrastructure projects.
Zero Hour and Special Mentions: MPs Highlight Critical Public Concerns
During the Zero Hour and Special Mentions in the Rajya Sabha, parliamentarians raised a broad spectrum of public policy and socio-economic issues
- Referral Commissions in Healthcare: Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha raised alarms regarding the prevailing system of 'cut money' and referral commissions exchanged between medical practitioners, private clinics, and diagnostic testing centers. He urged the Central Government to enact strict regulatory measures to curb these unethical practices that inflate healthcare costs for patients.
- Police Action and Parliamentary Functioning: Samajwadi Party MP Iqra Hasan criticized the government on August 6, stating that despite numerous pending national issues, the House was allowed to function smoothly for only a single day during the entire session. She noted that promised discussions on police excesses against student protesters had not been delivered.
- National Holiday Demand for Sant Sevalal Maharaj: BJP MP Dr. K. Laxman urged the government to declare a national holiday on the birth anniversary of Sant Sevalal Maharaj, honoring the social reformer and iconic leader of the Banjara community.
- Representation in Higher Judiciary: Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha questioned the government regarding steps taken to enhance the representation of SC, ST, and OBC communities among judges in the higher judiciary. Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal responded that the Centre routinely sends recommendations to High Court Chief Justices requesting the inclusion of eligible candidates from marginalized communities. He added that the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) governing the appointment and transfer of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts contains explicit provisions to ensure broad social diversity.
- Impasse Over Home Minister's Presence: CPI MP P Sandosh termed the Chairman's intervention instructing Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to record opposition concerns regarding Home Minister Amit Shah's absence as a major outcome, noting that the matter is now officially documented.
- North-East Economic Infrastructure: UPPL MP Pramod Boro supported the Appropriation Bill while demanding the establishment of a Special Border Economic Zone and dedicated freight transit infrastructure for the North-Eastern region.
- Protection for Small Kirana Stores: RJD MP Manoj Jha appealed to the Finance Minister to formulate protective policies for small neighborhood kirana merchants who are facing severe financial distress due to aggressive predatory pricing strategies adopted by quick-commerce platforms.
- Farakka Treaty Non-Renewal Demand: In a Special Mention, MP Sanjay Kumar Jha urged the Centre not to renew the 1996 India-Bangladesh Farakka Treaty when it expires in 2026. He argued that the Ganges water-sharing agreement has adversely impacted Bihar's ecological and agricultural interests, while also drawing urgent attention to the state's rapidly depleting groundwater reserves.
- Tourism Development in Border States: During Question Hour, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat provided detailed updates regarding ongoing infrastructure initiatives aimed at promoting tourism across hilly and border states.
- Exchange Between Kharge and Rijiju: Countering Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's invocation of rules against floor disruptions, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge asserted, "What to speak and how to speak is my right." Quoting former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Kharge noted that parliamentary slowdowns and protests are legitimate tools of democratic expression, reiterating the demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to address the House directly.
Following the conclusion of Special Mentions, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day and will reassemble on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 11 AM.
