Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

21-December-2012 17:07 IST

The Winter Session, 2012 of Parliament which commenced on Thursday, the 22^nd of November, 2012, concluded on Thursday, the 20^th of December, 2012.  The Session provided 20 sittings spread over a period of 29 days. 

In the Lok Sabha, Smt. Sushma Swaraj moved the motion under Rule 184 regarding withdrawal of the decision of the Government to allow 51% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multi brand retail trade on 04.12.2012. Prof. Saugata Roy and Sh. Hasan Khan also moved the motions for modification of notification made under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 and laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 30.11.2012.  These motions were discussed together for about 11 hours spread over two days. The motion moved by Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the House divided and the result of the division was “Ayes – 229 and Noes – 258.” Accordingly the motion was negatived. The motion moved by Prof. Saugata Roy was also negatived with the division “Ayes – 227 and Noes – 258.”

In the Rajya Sabha, a discussion under Rule 168 was held on the motion moved by Dr. V. Maitryan that this House disapproves the decision of the Government to allow FDI in Multi brand Retail Sector was held and the motion was negatived with the division “Ayes – 102 and Noes – 123.”

The Constitution (One Hundred Eighteenth Amendment) Bill, 2012 which seeks to provide for special provisions for the erstwhile Hyderabad-Karnataka areas of the State of Karnataka which consist of of the districts of Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal and Yadgir and additionally include the Bellary Districts was considered and passed by both Houses of Parliament. Another Constitution amendment Bill, namely the Constitution (One Hundred Seventeenth Amendment) Bill, 2012, which seeks to protectthe interest of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by providing impediment free reservation in promotion in Government Services, was also passed by the Rajya Sabha. This Bill was also taken up in Lok Sabha but it was stalled due to impasse created by the opposition.

During the Session, Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2012-13 was discussed and voted and its related Appropriation Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. Subsequently, the Rajya Sabha considered and returned the related Appropriation Bill.

In the Lok Sabha, a Short Duration Discussions under Rule 193 was held on need for uniform education system.

In Lok Sabha three Calling Attentions were held on

(i) Spread of Dengue and Chikengunia in the Country;

(ii) Plight of coconut growers in Tamilnadu leading to starvation death; and

(iii) Dilution of Jute packaging materials and in Rajya Sabha one Calling Attention was held on situation arising out of suspension of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) by International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Bills with significant importance and emphasizing the Government policy of liberalization of the economy such as

(i) the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011;

(ii) the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011; and

(iii) the Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011 were passed by   both the Houses during this Session.

One of the important features of the Session was that several bills including FDI and matters related to FEMA, Constitution Amendment Bills etc. could be steered through “division of vote”, exhibiting Government’s resoluteness and better preparedness.   

During the Session, 9 Bills (7 in the Lok Sabha and 2 in the Rajya Sabha)were introduced.  The Lok Sabha passed 7 Bills and the Rajya Sabha passed 8 Bills during the session. Total number of Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Session is 7. A list containing the titles of the Bills introduced, considered and passed during the Session is annexed.

Legislative Business Transacted During Twelveth Session of Fifteenth Lok Sabha and 227^th Session of Rajya Sabha

(Winter Session, 2012)

I – BILLS INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA

1.    The Coal Mines (Conservation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2012

2.    The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2012

3.    The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012

4.    The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2012

5.    The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2012

6.    The Governors (Emoluments, Allowances and Privileges) Amendment Bill, 2012

7.    The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second Amendment) Bill, 2012

II – BILLS PASSED BY LOK SABHA

1.     The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011

2.    The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2011

3.    The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011

4.    The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2012

5.    The Constitution (One Hundred Eighteenth Amendment) Bill, 2012

6.    The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011

7.    The Companies Bill, 2012

III – BILLS INTRODUCED IN RAJYA SABHA

1.    The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012

2.    The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2012

IV – BILLS PASSED BY RAJYA SABHA

1.      The North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Amendment Bill, 2012

2.       The Prevention of Money- Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2012

3.      The Constitution (One Hundred Seventeenth Amendment) Bill, 2012

4.      The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2012

5.      The Constitution (One Hundred Eighteenth Amendment) Bill, 2012

6.      The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2012

7.      The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012

8.      The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012

V - BILLS PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES

1.    The North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Amendment Bill, 2012

2.     The Prevention of Money-Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2012

3.    The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2012

4.    The Constitution (One Hundred Eighteenth Amendment) Bill, 2012

5.    The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2012

6.    The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012

7.    The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012

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YSK(Parl.Aff.)