Waqf Bill, 14 Others Listed For Winter Session Of Parliament

New Delhi: The BJP-led NDA government will introduce 15 bills, including one to amend the Waqf law and five new ones, in the winter session of Parliament starting November 25.

The five new draft legislations listed by the Centre include the one to set up a cooperative university, the PTI reported.

The Waqf (amendment) Bill is scheduled for consideration and passage once the joint committee of both Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha on the last day of the first week of the winter session.

The government will also introduce the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which seeks to ensure India’s compliance with its obligations under maritime treaties to which New Delhi is a signatory, development of Indian shipping, and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine.

Besides, the Coastal Shipping Bill, which seeks to promote coasting trade and encourage participation of Indian flag vessels owned and operated by Indian citizens for national security and commercial needs, and the Indian Ports Bill have also been listed for introduction and eventual passage.

The report further stated that eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, are pending in Lok Sabha. Two others are with Rajya Sabha.

The winter session of Parliament will also consider Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to amend five banking laws to streamline services and governance standards, including allowing up to four nominees for a depositor and raising the tenure of directors in cooperative banks from 8 years to 10 years.

However, a Bill based on the Ram Nath Kovind committee report on “one nation one election”, which the Union cabinet has approved, does not feature in the government’s list of business.

The winter session will have 19 sittings and is scheduled to conclude on December 20.