Parliament Diary

Today was the 17^th sitting of the Winter Session of Parliament.

In Lok Sabha, The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was passed today.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011 provided that no action will be taken till December 31, 2014 with respect to: (i) encroachment or unauthorized development as of January 1, 2006, (ii) unauthorized colonies, village abadi areas that existed on March 31, 2002 and where construction took place up till February 8, 2007, and (ii) other areas as of February 8, 2007. The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2014 extends this deadline to December 31, 2017.

Lok Sabha then undertook The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Companies Act, 2013 was notified on August 29, 2013.  The Companies (Amendment) Bill 2014 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 12, 2014. The Bill introduces certain amendments in relation to related party transactions, fraud reporting by auditors, making common seal optional, and jurisdiction of special courts to try certain offences etc. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill states that this would ensure ease of business transactions. A discussion on this Bill was underway at the time of sending this diary. 

Rajya Sabha was unable to function again today due to disruptions. Lok Sabha's productivity is currently at 101% while Rajya Sabha's is at 69%. A chart depicting the productivity of both Houses for the ongoing Winter Session can be seen below. In the 2009 Winter Session, which was the first Winter Session of the 15th Lok Sabha, the productivity of Lok Sabha was 84%, while of Rajya Sabha was 88%.