Parliament’s Winter Session: Farm Laws Repeal, Crypto Regulation Bills On Agenda - All You Need To Know

The BJP-led Union government has a heavy agenda for the Winter Session with its legislative business including 26 new bills. 

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New Delhi: The Winter Session of Parliament is set to begin on a stormy note on Monday, with the Centre listing a bill to repeal the three contentious farm laws on the first day itself while the Opposition plans to put pressure for law on minimum support price on agricultural produce.

The Farm Laws repeal bill is slated to be introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday. Following its passage in the Lower House, the bill to repeal the three farm laws is likely to be taken up in Rajya Sabha on Monday itself, news agency PTI reported sources as saying.

As per PTI, sources said after the bill is passed in Lok Sabha, it will be taken up in the Upper House of Parliament. 

Besides the bill for repealing agrarian laws, The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill will be another major agenda in the Parliament’s Winter Session.

The bill looks to create a facilitative framework for creation of the official digital currency to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India. It also seeks to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India As per the inputs, the bill allows for certain exceptions to promote the underlying technology of cryptocurrency and its uses.

Winter Session Of Parliament Set To Be Stormy

The Parliament’s Winter Session is set to be stormy as the opposition is trying to put up a united front for cornering the ruling BJP over farmers’ issues. With the repeal of farm laws, the opposition parties will raise the issue of law on guaranteeing MSP in line with the protesting farmers’ demands.

Several issues impacting the lives of citizens will be raised. These include inflation, prices of petrol and diesel, unemployment, management of COVID-19 pandemic, and more.

The Pegasus snooping row can once again become centre of attention with the Opposition attacking the Union government over the reports.

Other issues likely to be taken up include the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Pentagon report claiming Chinese villages in Arunachal Pradesh, and the Rafale deal.

26 Bills Listed For Introduction In Winter Session

The BJP-led Union government has a heavy agenda for the Winter Session with its legislative business including 26 new bills. 

Besides the bill on repeal of farm laws and cryptocurrency regulation, three bills to replace three important ordinances are on agenda: Narcotics Drug and Psychotic Substances Bill to amend NDPS Act, Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill, and Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill.

The Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill which propose to extend the tenure of the directors of the CVC and CBI respectively, are already on the Opposition radar.

Other bills listed to be taken up in the session include:

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill: To amend the Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribe list of Uttar Pradesh assembly election. slated to be held early next year. There is another Bill to amend the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes of Tripura.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021: To strengthen and streamline the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. It will help in counter and develop strong mechanisms for dealing with bankruptcy is also being listed for passage.

Bill To Privatise Two Public Banks: This is in line with the union budget announcement regarding privatisation of two public sector banks.

The Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 2021: To reform and speed up the Disciplinary Mechanism of the Institutes.

The Cantonment Bill, 2021: To provide for greater democratisation, modernisation and overall improvement in the governance structure of Cantonment Boards.

Inter-Services Organizations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2021: To empower the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command of Inter-Services Organisations in respect of persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950, who is serving under or attached to his command, for maintaining of discipline and proper discharge of their duties.

The Indian Antarctica Bill, 2021: To provide harmonious policy and regulatory framework for India‟s Antarctic activities and to provide national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment.

The Emigration Bill, 2021: Establish a robust, transparent and comprehensive emigration management framework that facilitates safe and orderly migration.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021: Separation of National Pension System Trust from Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority and to fulfil the Budget Announcement 2020 for ensuring universal pension coverage as well as strengthening PFRDA.

The Indian Maritime Fisheries Bill, 2021: Provide for the sustainable development of fisheries resources in the exclusive Economic Zone of India.

The National Dental Commission Bill, 2021: For setting up a National Dental Commission.

The National Nursing Midwifery Commission Bill, 2021: To repeal the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 and set up a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission which will have a transparent professional and accountable „selected‟ Regulator rather than an „elected‟ Regulator.

The Metro Rail (Construction, Operation and Maintenance) Bill, 2021: To provide legal framework for construction, operation and maintenance of metro rail projects including those under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode

The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021: To amend the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954 and the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958.

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021: Strengthening of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) penalty for non-compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO)

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2021: To enhance new and additional financial, technological and capacity-building support so as to meet Paris commitments.

The National Transport University Bill, 2021: To re-designate National Rail and Transportation Institute (NTRI) as National Transportation University (NTU) and declare it as an autonomous body and Institute of National Importance (INI)

The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021: To prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children, to provide for care, protection, assistance and rehabilitation to the victims.

The National Anti Doping Bill, 2021: To provide a legislative framework to the NADA for meeting the obligations of India under the Convention and the obligations of NADA.

The Mediation Bill, 2021: Safeguards in the interest of the litigants to approach the competent adjudicatory forums/courts in case an urgent relief is sought.

Scrutinised By Standing Committees:

The Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020 was introduced in Lok Sabha on September 14, 2020. It was sent to the standing committee for health and family welfare and was laid on the table on 19 March 2021 with the updated reports

The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 15, 2021. It was scrutinised by the standing committee on chemical and fertilisers and its report was presented to Parliament on August 4, 2021

 The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 11, 2019. It was sent to the standing committee for social justice and empowerment has also been listed for passage

The Winter Session will commence on November 29 and is scheduled to conclude on December 23.

Both BJP and Congress have issued a three-line whip to its MPs asking them to be present in both the Houses of the Parliament on Monday.