PRESS RELEASE

 

The Winter Session, 2005 of Parliament which commenced on Wednesday, the 23^rd of November, 2005, is concluding today, the 23^rd of December, 2005.  The Session provided 23 sittings of both the Houses of Parliament spread over a period of 31 days. 

 

2.     During the Session, Adjournment Motion moved on 28.11.2005 by Shri L.K. Advani, the Leader of Opposition, on “failure of Government to take proper action against the Indian entities and individuals allegedly involved as non-contractual beneficiaries of the United Nations ‘Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq, as reported in the Report of the United Nations’ Independent Inquiry Committee (Volcker Committee) and its efforts to cover up these serious crimes” was discussed in the Lok Sabha and negatived.    

 

3.     In the Rajya Sabha Motion regarding “Central Government’s failure to take proper action against the alleged involvement of Indian entities and individuals as non-contractual beneficiaries of the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq as reported in the Report of the United Nations’ Independent Inquiry Committee (Volcker Committee) and its efforts to cover up these serious crimes”, moved by Shri Arun Jaitely under Rule 167 was also discussed and negatived on 29.11.2005.

 

4.     Financial Business transacted consists of the Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) and (Railways) for 2005-06 and their Appropriation Bills, which were discussed and passed by the Lok Sabha during the Session.  Thereafter, the Rajya Sabha considered and returned these Appropriation Bills. 

 

5.     Two Bills replacing two Ordinances namely; the Manipur University Ordinance, 2005 and the Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2005, which were promulgated by the President, were considered and passed by both the Houses during the Session.

 

6.     During the Session, 09 new Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha and 15 new Bills in the Rajya Sabha.  The Lok Sabha passed 17 Bills and the Rajya Sabha passed 17 Bills during the Session.  Total number of Bills passed by both the Houses of Parliament during the Session is 17.  Four Bills namely: (i) the Manipur University Bill, 2005; (ii) the Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2003; (iii) the Cost and Works Accountants (Amendment) Bill, 2003; and (iv) the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 2003 were withdrawn in the Rajya Sabha.

 

7.     Some of important Bills introduced during the Session are as under:-

 

   (i)    The Communal Violence (Prevention, Control & Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005;

   (ii)    The Scheduled Tribes (Recognition of Forest Rights) Bill,2005;

   (iii)          The  Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2005;

   (iv)           The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Bill,

            2005;

    (v)            The Armed Forces Tribunal Bill, 2005; and

    (vi)          The Warehousing (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2005.

 

8.     Besides two Bills replacing two Ordinances, some of important Bills passed during the

        Session were:-

 

        (i)       The Disaster Management Bill, 2005;

        (ii)        The National Tax Tribunal Bill, 2005;

(iii)                      The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2005;

(iv)                      The State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Bill, 2005;

(v)                         The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Bill, 2005;

(vi)                      The Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2005;

(vii)                    The Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights Bill, 2005; and

(viii)                 The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2005.

 

9.     In Lok Sabha, Short Duration Discussions under Rule 193 were held on the following

        issues:-

 

(i) (a) serial bomb blasts in Delhi on 29.10.2005; (b) terrorist violence in Jammu & Kashmir; (c) Naxalite attacks that took place in Jehanabad, Bihar on 13.11.2005; and (d) Naxalite attack that took place at the Home Guard Training Centre, Giridih, Jharkhand on 11.11.2005;

 

(ii) Role of India in WTO with particular reference to the forthcoming 6^th Ministerial Conference of WTO in Hongkong;

 

(iii) problems being faced by agriculture sector; and

 

(iv) need to improve the infrastructure at airports in view of increase in passenger and cargo traffic

 

(v) need to develop sports infrastructure in the country keeping in view the forthcoming sports events.

 

10.    In the Rajya Sabha, Short Duration Discussions under Rule 176, were held on the

        following issues:-

 

(i) Devastation caused by heavy rains and floods in Southern States of the country and relief measures undertaken by the Government;

 

(ii) Internal security scenario in the country;

 

(iii) Public Distribution System in the country; and

 

(iv) Concerned over atrocities on women in the country.

 

(v) Role of India in WTO  with particular reference to the forthcoming 6^th         Ministerial Conference of WTO in Hongkong.

 

Besides, twelve calling attentions were discussed in the Lok Sabha and three in the Rajya Sabha.

 

11.    A number of statements were made by Ministers in both Houses of Parliament, including one made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister regarding alleged involvement of certain individuals in the Iraq’s Oil-for-food Programme Scam.

 

12.    A statement showing the ‘Facts at Glance’ in respect of Business transacted during the Winter Session, 2005 vis-a-vis the Winter Sessions held during the last four years is enclosed. A list of Bills introduced/passed/withdrawn is also enclosed.

 

 

 

 

FACTS AT GLANCE–WINTER SESSION, 2005 VIS-A-VIS WINTER SESSIONS

HELD DURING 2001-2004

 

Sixth Session of Fourteenth Lok Sabha and 206^th Session of Rajya Sabha

 

Lok Sabha: - 23 November to 23 December, 2005

Rajya  Sabha:-    23 November to 23 December, 2005