Parliament Diary

The Personal Data Protection Bill 2021, as reported by the Joint Committee, was withdrawn in Lok Sabha today.

Earlier, the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was discussed and passed in Lok Sabha. Moving the Bill for discussion, the Minister of Education said that the Bill would help provide the needed human resource for the country's multi-modal infrastructure projects being developed under the Gati-Shakti program. Another Member welcomed the Bill on the grounds that the establishment of the university would foster partnership among the public sector, private sector and academia, and provide a base for in-depth research in the transport sector.

The House then resumed its discussion on the need to promote sports in the country and the steps taken by the government in this regard.

In Rajya Sabha, the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021 was discussed and passed. During the debate, a Member said that while players at the international level undergo drug testing often, there is a need to start testing 10% of the athless at the district-level games as well. Another Member insisted on regular physical and medical examinations for coaches and trainers to ascertain coaches are in a position to impart effective training. The Bill was passed in Lok Sabha last week.

Earlier in the day, during the Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, a Member spoke on the threat to India's national and coastal security from the scheduled docking of a Chinese research ship at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port. He urged the government to apprise the House of the situation.

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was also introduced in Lok Sabha. The Bill mandates the use of non-fossil sources, including green hydrogen and ethanol for energy and feedstock, establishes a carbon market and brings large residential buildings within the fold of the energy conservation regime, among others.