Parliament Diary

Members from both Houses made submissions commemorating International Women’s Day. During their speeches members raised concerns about various issues like domestic violence, girl child mortality, child marriage, girl’s education etc. Several members also emphasized on the need for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill and encouraging greater role of women in levels of local governance.

The Minister of Finance made a statement in the Lower House regarding 'the issue of tax proposals for EPF/Superannuation Fund'. In Budget 2016-17, a proposal had been made that 60% of the corpus of the Employee Provident Fund will be taxed at the time of the withdrawal unless it is invested in an annuity scheme (like pension). However, the Minister in his speech today withdrew this tax proposal.

The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016 replacing an Ordinance currently in force was introduced. The Bill amends the Enemy Property Act, 1968 and the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971. The 1968 Act appoints an office of the central government as the custodian of enemy properties i.e. properties which had been taken over by the central government from citizens of countries that India was at war with (Pakistan and China). The Bill expands the powers of the custodian to allow for permanent vesting of property with themselves.

Discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address continued in Rajya Sabha. The Prime Minister is scheduled to reply tomorrow.

The Bureau of Indian Standard Bill, 2015 was also taken up for discussion in the Upper House. The Bill replaces the Act of 1986 and seeks to establish the Bureau of Indian Standards as the national standards body and addresses mandatory standardization of products. The Bill has previously been passed by Lok Sabha.

Both Houses were sitting at the time of sending this report.