New Delhi: Controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) and legislation prohibiting electronic cigarettes are among the 27 new Bills that the government is planning to bring in the Winter Session of Parliament that begins on Monday. In addition to this, the government will try to get clearance for 13 pending Bills.
Union minister for parliamentary affairs, coal and mines, Pralhad Joshi said on Sunday that while 27 Bills will be taken up for introduction, consideration and passing, 2 Bills are pending in Lok Sabha and 10 in Rajya Sabha for clearance. Besides, one financial item relating to the first batch of supplementary demands for grants for 2019-20, too, will be discussed and passed during the Session.
Out of the new Bills, two will replace existing Ordinances on the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes and the Taxation of Law (Amendment) on corporate tax rate cuts. Both are required to be passed during the ensuing Winter Session. The government had in September banned e-cigarettes to “protect the population, especially the youth and children, from the risk of addiction”.
However, it is the Bill to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 that is expected to see uproar in both Houses.
CAB to protect non-Muslims from NRC
In a bid to check economic slowdown, union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had also announced cut in corporate tax rate from 30 per cent to 22 per cent for existing companies, and 25 per cent to 15 per cent for new manufacturing companies. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 seeks to allow Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian illegal migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, eligible for Indian citizenship.
The proposed Bill in a way excludes Muslims from the three neighbouring countries from acquiring Indian citizenship.
Besides, The Personal Data Protection Bill, The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, The Insolvency & Bankruptcy (Second) Amendment Bill is also expected to be taken up during the session that will see 20 sittings spread over 26 days.
The Bill is being brought by BJP to neutralise the impact of National Register of Citizens exercise that saw several Hindus also being excluded.
Besides, The Personal Data Protection Bill, The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, The Insolvency & Bankruptcy (Second) Amendment Bill is also expected to be taken up during the session that will see 20 sittings spread over 26 days.
Mr Joshi said that a function will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament House to commemorate the 70 years of adoption of the Constitution on 26th November 2019, during which President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker will address members of both Houses of Parliament assembled.
Also, this session of the Parliament will also mark the 250th session of the Rajya Sabha.
