LS Monsoon Session: House passes Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020

20:26 September 23

House adjourned sine die

The Lower House of the Parliament has been adjourned sine die.

20:23 September 23

Speaker thanks MPs for following COVID-19 protocols

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla thanks MPs for following COVID-19 protocols and bringing forth their concerns and discussing the issues. 

20:23 September 23

House passes Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020

The House has passed the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020.

20:08 September 23

What about fishermen community, asks YSRCP MP

India's rank has declined from 35 to 44 as per the 2018 World Bank's Logistics Performative Index. 

It was way behind Singapore, China, Malaysia and the US, says YSRCP MP Sri Krishna Devarayalu Lavu. However, he raised the concerns of removing state and Central govt authority where only the Port Board will take the decision on the development, operations of the port. 

"Since port operations rely on various other industries such as rail, electricity etc, this will create problems," he said. 

He also pointed out that the plight of fishermen and other communities depended on water areas near the ports are not mentioned in the proposed Bill.

20:04 September 23

House discusses Major Port Authorities Bill

The House is discussing the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020. The Bill seeks to provide for regulation, operation and planning of major ports in India and provide greater autonomy to these ports.

18:57 September 23

BJP MP Rajkumar Chahar raises issue  of farmers, villagers facing issues

BJP MP Rajkumar Chahar has raised the issue of farmers, villagers facing lack of living accommodations when they come to cities for various purposes and proposes the government to consider making "Kisan Bhavans" for their stay in city districts.

18:56 September 23

The Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 has been allowed time till the second week of the Winter Session of the Parliament, 2020 for the presentation of its Report.

18:39 September 23

Tejasvi Surya raises concern of free speech on social media

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya raised the concern of free speech on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook in the Zero Hour in the House.

"This poses a significant constitutional challenge not only on the grounds of unreasonable restriction of free speech but also amounts to illegal interference in elections," he added.

18:05 September 23

Lok Sabha proceedings begin

The proceedings of the house have begun.

17:14 September 23

LS Monsoon Session Updates

New Delhi: As the Lok Sabha is to adjourn sine die today, the government has listed three Bills for the Legislative Business of the day to pass it in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

These Bills belong to three different Ministries -- one from the Ministry of Shipping, and other from the Health and Finance. 

The Bills are Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020; Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020; and Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Union Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh L Mandaviya is to move the Major Port Authorities Bill, 2020 to provide for the regulation, operation and planning of Major Ports in India and to vest the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards of Major Port Authorities.

The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020 will be moved by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan for the regulation and supervision of the assisted reproductive technology clinics and the assisted reproductive technology banks, prevention of misuse, safe and ethical practice of assisted reproductive technology services. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is to move the Factoring Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020 to amend the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011 for its passage.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament, however, is set to be adjourned sine die on Wednesday when the House will meet at 6 PM. 

The move is being taken considering the safety of parliamentarians against the backdrop of the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country, sources said.

As per sources, the lower House will adjourn proceedings sine die after conducting 'Zero Hour'.

As all the major Bills, including those replacing ordinances, have been passed by both the Houses till late Tuesday evening proceedings and Wednesday morning functioning of Rajya Sabha, political party sources and secretariat officials indicated that both the Houses will curtail their proceedings on Wednesday -- eight days before the scheduled conclusion of the session.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla's special announcement to hold the lower House proceedings at 6 PM on Wednesday -- three hours later than the scheduled time -- also signalled the plan to cut short the session which was set to conclude on October 1.

(IANS)