New Delhi: Six Bills were introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, including one to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. The Bill will enable nomination of two members, including a woman, from the Kashmiri migrant community and one member from the displaced persons from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister of state for home, Nityanand Rai, introduced the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023, despite opposition from Congress member Manish Tewari. Tewari argued that the Bill violates the right to privacy and separation of powers, but the Bill was introduced through a voice vote. It allows use of birth certificate as single document for admission to an educational institution, issuance of driving licence, preparation of voter list, Aadhaar number, registration of marriage or appointment to a government job. The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will also help create a national and state-level database of registered births and deaths which eventually would ensure efficient and transparent delivery of public services and social benefits and digital registration.
Following this, a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government and other Bills were discussed amidst slogan-shouting by Opposition members regarding the Manipur issue.
Minister Rai also introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. While the latter was opposed by National Conference Member Hasnain Masoodi due to it being under judicial scrutiny, both Bills were introduced through voice votes.
Union ministers Virendra Kumar and Arjun Munda introduced the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, respectively.
Additionally, Union minister Pralhad Joshi introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, which faced opposition from N.K. Premachandran of the Revolutionary Socialist Party, claiming it goes against the principle of federalism. However, the Bill was introduced through a voice vote.
Lastly, the Lok Sabha passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, through a voice vote as well. It seeks to exempt land within 100 km of the country's borders from the purview of conservation laws and permit setting up of zoos, safaris and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas.
