Parliament Winter Session: Modi govt to introduce five new Bills, controversial Waqf bill listed too

New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government is all set to introduce five new Bills in the upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament, including one to encourage Indian flag vessels for national security and commercial needs and another on conservation of Indian ports.

The government also plans to pass The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 after the submission of the report by a Joint Committee of Parliament, which is examining the proposed legislation since August this year, in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

A total of 18 Bills, including 13 pending ones, are part of the tentative list of Bills submitted to Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats by the government, according to Parliament Bulletins of both the Houses. Lok Sabha has a list of 15 Bills while Rajya Sabha three more than the Lower House.

The new Bills include The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, which seeks to promote coasting trade and encourage participation of Indian flag vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for national security and commercial needs.

Another new Bill is the The Indian Ports Bill, 2024, which seeks to provide for measures to secure conservation of ports, security and pollution control at the ports in line with India’s international obligations and statutory compliance.

The government is also planning to bring The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 to ensure compliance with India’s obligation under maritime treaties and ensure development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve national interest.

Another new legislation under consideration would be The Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which seeks to enhance pecuniary appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs three lakh to Rs 20 lakh. A bill seeking to establish ‘Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya’ is also proposed.

The pending bills in Lok Sabha include The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024, The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill 2024, The Mussalman Waqf (Repeal) Bill 2024, The Bills of Lading Bill 2024, The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2024, The Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 and The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024.

In Rajya Sabha, three bills are pending, which include The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill 2024 and The Boilers Bill 2024. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024, which was passed by Lok Sabha, is also pending in Rajya Sabha.