The External Affairs Minister introduced a Bill to amend the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005 in Lok Sabha today. The law prohibits manufacturing and transport of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear and chemical weapons and their means of delivery. The 2022 Amendment Bill bars people from financing any prohibited activity related to these weapons and their delivery systems.
In the afternoon, the House took up a discussion on the situation in Ukraine. During the discussion, several Members appreciated the government's evacuation of students through Operation Ganga, while some Members expressed concern over the lack of clarity on their future education. One Member said that the evacuation of 23,000 medical students should push the country to rethink its approach to medical education. He added that only 7% of those who pass the NEET exam are able to get into medical colleges in the country. Noting that if the war continues along with the economic sanctions, it may lead to a major global economic crisis, another Member urged the government to take initiative in mediation to restore peace.
In Rajya Sabha, several Members asked the Chair to suspend the day’s business to take up discussion on price rise and on the procurement of parboiled rice. This was disallowed and one Member urged the Chair to hold a half-hour discussion instead on the subject of price rise. The House was adjourned for an hour. During Question Hour, concerns were raised about the slow uptake of booster doses and increasing price of potash (commonly used in agriculture fertilizers) due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The House discussed and passed the Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Next, the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was taken up for discussion.The Bill seeks to merge the three Municipal Corporations in Delhi into one.
Proceedings in both Houses were ongoing at the time of updating this note.
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