In Lok Sabha, the prohibition of e-cigarettes bill was discussed and passed. Then, the Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was discussed and passed. The Bill amends the Special Protections Group Act, 1988. It provides for security to the Prime Minister and members of his immediate family residing with him at his official residence.
It will also provide security to any former Prime Ministers, their immediate family members residing with him at the residence allotted to him. This security will be provided for a period of five years from the date on which the Prime Minister ceases to hold the office.
Later, the House discussed and passed Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Merger of Union Territories) Bill, 2019. The Bill amends the First Schedule of the Constitution to merge the territories of the two UTs: Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman into one — Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Rajya Sabha held a short duration discussion on the state of the economy. During the discussion, several MPs highlighted demonetisation and the implementation of GST as reasons for the economic slowdown. The Finance Minister later addressed the House. In her speech, she spoke about the doubling of accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana, formalisation of the economy post-demonetisation. She quoted the 2017-18 Economic Survey data which estimated that about 1.8 million additional taxpayers were added due to demonetization and GST. She also spoke about the challenges in the automobile sector.