Parliament Diary

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021, the Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021, and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021 were passed in Rajya Sabha.

During the discussion on the Air Quality Bill, Members raised concerns over Section 15 of the Bill. While the Bill exempts farmers from penalties for violations, Section 15 allows the Commission to impose Environmental Compensation from farmers causing air pollution by stubble burning.

On the Essential Defence Services Bill, the Defence Minister noted that the Bill does not affect the right to peaceful protest. On Tuesday, the Bill was passed in the Lower House with an amendment that added a sunset clause. The Bill will cease to have effect one year after receiving the President's assent.

Rajya Sabha also appointed Members to the Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.

In Lok Sabha, the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 were introduced.

For the fourth straight day, a discussion on COVID-19 was listed in Lok Sabha. However, the House was adjourned before it could be taken up.