New criminal laws get Parliament nod, LS, RS adjourned sine die
During the Winter Session, 100 MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha, including three on Thursday, for unruly behaviour and misconduct. The total suspensions from both Houses stood at 146.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die on Thursday (December 21), a day ahead of the scheduled end of Parliament's Winter Session.
During the Winter Session, 100 MPs were suspended from the Lower House, including three on Thursday, for unruly behaviour and misconduct. The total suspensions from both Houses stood at 146.
The Opposition had been demanding a statement in the House from Home Minister Amit Shah for the security breach on December 13.
In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some MPs.
The Lok Sabha passed three key Bills to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act.
The House also cleared a Bill to establish a mechanism for the appointment of chief election commissioner and election commissioners.
TMC's Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha after the House adopted a resolution accepting the recommendation of the House ethics committee which found her guilty for asking questions in Parliament in return of cash and gifts.
Moitra had dubbed the action against her as the ruling of a "kangaroo court". The Winter Session began on December 4 and was scheduled to conclude on December 22.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday. The Upper House of Parliament was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) after it passed three Bills that seek to replace the colonial-era criminal laws – the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act.
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- 21 Dec 2023 8:46 PM IST
Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of the scheduled end of Parliament's Winter session.
The Upper House of Parliament was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) after it passed three Bills that seek to replace the colonial-era criminal laws – the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act.
The House also cleared the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 that aims to reform the country's century-old telecom law to make the sector investor-friendly, prioritises user protection but also extends powers to the government to intercept communications.
Earlier in the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.
- 21 Dec 2023 8:35 PM IST
New criminal laws get Parliament nod, RS passes bills with voice vote
Three new Bills that seek to overhaul the colonial-era criminal laws, making punishments more stringent for crimes such as terrorism, lynching, and offences endangering national security, were approved by Parliament on Thursday.
The Bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha by voice vote. The Lok Sabha had approved these on Wednesday.
The Bills that repeal and replace the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act will usher in a new era in the criminal justice system, Home Minister Amit Shah said while replying to a debate in the Upper House of Parliament.
The Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bills will now go to the president for her assent, upon which these will become laws.
- 21 Dec 2023 8:27 PM IST
Lok Sabha passes 18 Bills in Winter Session
The Lok Sabha passed 18 Bills in the Winter session of Parliament, including three to replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Evidence Act.
The full list of 18 Bills are here.
- 21 Dec 2023 6:53 PM IST
PM Modi, other leaders meet Speaker Om Birla
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the leaders of some political parties in a customary meeting on Thursday after Parliament's winter session, during which the government's legislative agenda was passed, was adjourned sine die.
A PTI report, citing official sources said, Modi thanked everyone. The prime minister and the leaders of different political parties generally visit the speaker after the end of every Parliament session.
Opposition leaders, most of whom were suspended from the two Houses for their continuous protests over an incident of security breach in Parliament, kept away from the meeting.
Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) Bhartruhari Mahtab and Shiv Sena's Rahul Shewale were among the leaders present at the meeting, besides Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Pralhad Joshi, among others. While Shiv Sena is an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the BJD maintains a neutral stand but has been supportive of the government on its key decisions.
- 21 Dec 2023 6:51 PM IST
LS records 74% productivity
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House recorded 74 per cent productivity, and 18 draft legislations, including the new criminal justice bills, were passed.
The Winter session also marked the first full-fledged session to be held in the new Parliament building.
- 21 Dec 2023 4:40 PM IST
Lok Sabha adjourned sine die
The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Thursday, a day ahead of the schedule.
During the Winter session, 100 MPs were suspended from the Lower House, including three on Thursday, for unruly behaviour and misconduct.
The Opposition had been demanding a statement in the House from Home Minister Amit Shah for the security breach on December 13.
In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two persons jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by some MPs.
The Lok Sabha passed three key bills to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Indian Evidence Act.
The House also cleared a bill to establish a mechanism for the appointment of chief election commissioner and election commissioners.
TMC's Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha after the House adopted a resolution accepting the recommendation of the House ethics committee which found her guilty for asking questions in Parliament in return of cash and gifts.
Moitra had dubbed the action against her as the ruling of a "kangaroo court".
The Winter session began on December 4 and was scheduled to conclude on December 22. The House was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) a day ahead on Thursday.
- 21 Dec 2023 4:32 PM IST
Parliament nod to Bill to simplify newspaper registration process
Parliament on Thursday passed a Bill to replace a British-era law governing publishing industry and simplify the process of registration of periodicals.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, which was passed by voice vote in the Lok Sabha, will make the registration of periodicals a one-step process as against the eight-step process in the archaic law.
The bill replaces the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867.
"This bill is simple, smart and has a simultaneous process for registration of newspapers and periodicals. Earlier newspapers or magazines had to pass through an eight-step registration process. This can now be done at the click of a button," he said.
The Rajya Sabha had passed the Bill on August 3.
- 21 Dec 2023 3:59 PM IST
A total of 146 MPs suspended from Parliament
With 3 more Opposition MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha on Thursday, the total number of suspensions has risen to 146, from both LS and Rajya Sabha.
- 21 Dec 2023 3:56 PM IST
3 more Opposition MPs suspended from LS, total number now 100
Three Congress MPs were suspended from the Lok Sabha on Thursday for the remainder of the Winter session for unruly behaviour, taking the total number of members of the lower House against whom such action has been taken to 100.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi moved a motion for the suspension of D K Suresh, Deepak Baij and Nakul Nath.
"This House having taken serious note of misconduct of Deepak Baij, D K Suresh, Nakul Nath in utter disregard to the House and authority of the Chair through display of placards, entering into the Well of the House...may be suspended from the House for remaining session," Joshi said.
Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had warned the three MPs against protesting in the House.
- 21 Dec 2023 3:25 PM IST
3 criminal law bills tabled in Rajya Sabha
The government on Thursday moved three bills in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage to replace the colonial-era criminal laws.
Home Minister Amit Shah moved the motion for passage of the three redrafted bills -- the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bills in Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had passed these bills on Wednesday.
These bills will replace the Indian Penal Code-1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure Act-1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872, respectively.
Initiating a debate on them, BJP's Brijalal said they will end the colonial legacy.
