Parliament Diary

The government tabled the first supplementary budget for 2022-23 on Friday. It proposes a net cash outgo of Rs. 3,25,767 crore. Rs. 1,09,287 crore is allocated towards payment of fertiliser subsidy. Rs. 80,348 crore is allocated toward PMGKAY and PDS. Lok Sabha is expected to discuss and vote on the budget on Monday.

The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in Lok Sabha on Wednesday. It seeks to allow the central government to set up a Co-operative Election Authority and one or more Co-operative Ombudsman. The Bill also allows co-operative societies (registered under state laws) to merge into an existing multi-state co-operative society. Four bills to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 were also introduced. These pertain to the states of Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.

The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 was passed in Rajya Sabha. The Bill seeks to increase the species protected under the law, and implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The House then took up the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022. The Bill seeks to amend the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 to empower the central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme. The discussion did not conclude.

The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 was taken up for consideration in Lok Sabha. But the discussion did not conclude. The Bill brings into law the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It enables Indian authorities to take action against piracy beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone, that is, beyond 200 nautical miles from India’s coastline.

On Friday, MPs moved several private member bills for introduction in both Houses. This included the Prevention of Internet Shutdown Bill, 2022 and the Parliament (Productivity Enhancement) Bill, 2022. The discussion on the private member Bill guaranteeing the right to health concluded in Rajya Sabha and the Bill was withdrawn.

The Minister of External Affairs apprised Parliament on the Latest Developments in India's Foreign Policy. Lok Sabha concluded its discussion on the need to promote sports in the country.