Winter Session 2018 of Parliament Concludes successfully : Minister

While addressing the media on Thursday, Tomar said that the special achievement of this session of Parliament was that both Houses passed the 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill. It has been a historical achievement. This was an aspiration of crores of underprivileged Indian citizens. Most of members of Parliament supported this bill, in the marathon debate, and passed it with majority. The Minister thanked all members of Parliament who supported this bill, he said.

Goel said that the passing of the historic 124th Constitutional Amendment Bill is a proof of the fact that the Government has been ready to discuss all issues of National Importance in the Parliament and pass important bills, provided that the Government received support from all political parties.

Tomar informed that the Winter Session, 2018 of Parliament commenced on Tuesday,  December 11, 2018. Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Tuesday,  January 8, 2019 which provided 17 sittings spread over a period of 29 days. Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Wednesday,  January 9, 2019 which provided 18 sittings spread over a period of 30 days. The productivity of Lok Sabha was approx. 47 per cent  and that of Rajya Sabha was approx. 27 per cent, the Minister said.

During the Session, 17 Bills (12 in the Lok Sabha and 05 in Rajya Sabha) were introduced. The Lok Sabha passed 14 Bills and while the Rajya Sabha passed 04 Bills during the session. 05# Bills were passed by both the Houses of Parliament. A list containing the titles of the Bills introduced, considered and passed during the Session is annexed.

During the Session, Second Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2018-19 and the related Appropriation Bill, was introduced, discussed and passed by the Lok Sabha. The Bill was transmitted to Rajya Sabha and could not be taken up for consideration and it is not likely to be returned to Lok Sabha within the period of fourteen days from the date of its receipt in Rajya Sabha, the Bill will be deemed to have been passed by both Houses at the expiration of the said period in the form in which it was passed by Lok Sabha under clause (5) of article 109 of the Constitution. 5.

The Lok Sabha also passed two important Bills namely the Aadhar and other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Three Bills replacing the Ordinances, namely, (i) the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Ordinance, 2018 (ii) the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 and (iii) The Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 which were promulgated by the President, were considered and passed by Lok Sabha. The Bills are presently in Rajya Sabha.

Apart from the above, the other major highlight of the Session is the passing of the Constitution (One Hundred Twenty Four) Amendment Bill, 2019 which will provide reservation in services and educational institutions for economically weaker sections in general category. The National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Central Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple (Disabilities) Amendment Bill, 2018; the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, 2019 were passed by both Houses of Parliament.

In the Lok Sabha, a Short Duration Discussion under Rule 193 was held on the Rafale Deal. Another Short Duration Discussion on natural calamities in various parts of the country, particularly in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha with special reference to cyclones like Gaja, Titli, etc. was initiated in Lok Sabha and remained inconclusive.

Proclamation issued by the President on December 19, 2018 under article 356 of the Constitution of India in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir was discussed and adopted in the Lok Sabha on December 28, 2018 and in the Rajya Sabha on January 2 and 3, 2019 respectively.

Four Pending Bills were withdrawn in the Rajya Sabha namely the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013; the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005; the Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005; and the Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015.