Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has been assigned the task of efficiently handling diverse Parliamentary work on behalf of the Government, in the Parliament. As such, the Ministry serves as an important link between the two Houses of Parliament and the Government with some additional responsibilities and functions assigned from time to time. The major initiatives/events/achievements of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs during the year 2023 are as follows:

LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS

 

Legislative Business of Parliament	Lok Sabha	Rajya Sabha	Total
Bills introduced	41	05	46
Bills passed	47	49
Bills passed by both Houses	49*

*Details of Bills passed by both Houses are at Annexure.

The present Government has created a record by scrapping the old, redundant, and archaic Laws from statute books.  A total of 1562 old and redundant Laws have been repealed so far since 2014. 

SPECIAL SESSION OF PARLIAMENT

The month of September, 2023 marked a historical occasion when the nation was gifted a New Parliament Building.   A Special Session of Parliament was convened which commenced on 18^th of September, 2023 in the Old Parliament Building wherein discussion on ‘Parliamentary Journey of 75 Years Starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings’ was held in both the Houses. The Prime Minister and other dignitaries addressed Members of Parliament assembled in the Central Hall on 19^th September, 2023 and thereafter, the respective Houses started their proceedings in the New Parliament Building, rechristened as SANSAD BHAVAN while Old Parliament House including Central Hall has been given the name of ‘Samvidhan Sadan’.

The Special Session witnessed a historical moment when “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 i.e. the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023” for giving one-third reservation to women in Lok Sabha and State/Union Territory Legislatures to enable greater participation of women as public representatives in policy making at the National and State levels was passed. The voting pattern in Lok Sabha remained 454 voting in favour and only 2 Members voting against it. In Rajya Sabha, it was passed unanimously.           

Details of important Legislations enacted during the year (January-December, 2023)

During this period, 49 Bills were passed by both the Houses of Parliament and assented to by the President. Objectives and purposes of some of the important enactments are as follows:

1. Three landmark Bills relating to the criminal justice system to ensure victim-centric justice namely the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 were passed by both the Houses of Parliament during the Winter Session, 2023.
2. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for revision of list of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes of Chhattisgarh.

3. The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for revision of list of Scheduled Tribes in Himachal Pradesh.
4. The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides to (i)  strengthen governance, enhancing transparency, increasing accountability reforming electoral process etc.in the Multi-State Cooperative Societies by supplementing existing legislation and incorporating the provisions of  Ninety Seventh Constitutional Amendment (ii) improve monitoring mechanism and ensuring Ease of Doing Business for Multi-State Cooperative Societies.

5. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 amends 42 Acts across 19 Central Ministries/Departments for rationalisation of sections/sub-sections/clauses for facilitation of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living. The Act includes amendment, insertion and omission of certain existing provisions in Acts administered by Central Ministries/Departments.
6. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for extending the Central Government's control of services and gives powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi over the capital city's elected Government
7. The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order Amendment Act, 2023 has provided for inclusion of Mahra, Mahara community as a synonyms of Mahar, Mehra, Mehar at Sl. No. 33 in the list of Scheduled Castes of Chhattisgarh.
8. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 provides for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the right of individuals to protect their personal data and the need to process personal data for lawful purposes, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act employs plain and simple language to facilitate ease of understanding. The Act establishes the comprehensive legal framework governing digital personal data protection in India.

9. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and simplifies compliance requirements for domestic companies. Users of codified traditional knowledge and AYUSH practitioners will be exempted from sharing benefits with local communities. The Act removes research and bio-survey activities from the purview of benefit sharing requirements 
10. The Mediation Act, 2023 brings a comprehensive standalone law on Mediation. This Act lays down the legislative framework for mediation to be adopted by disputing parties, especially institutional mediation where various stakeholders have been identified to establish a robust and efficacious mediation ecosystem in India.
11. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023 establishes the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (Foundation) to provide high level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of natural sciences including mathematical sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences, health  and agriculture, as well as scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences, and to repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.

12. The National Dental Commission Act, 2023 provides for setting up a National Dental Commission and to repeal the Dentists Act, 1948.
13. The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act, 2023 provides for setting up a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission (NNMC) and to repeal the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947.
14. The Advocates (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides to repeal the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 and incorporate the provisions of Section 36 of the Legal Practitioners Act 1879 in the Advocates Act, 1961.

15. The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides to change in nomenclature of ‘weak and under-privileged classes (social castes) to ‘Other Backward Classes’ in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004.

16. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for nomination of not more than two members, one of whom shall be a woman from the community of Kashmiri Migrants and one member from Displaced person from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
17. The Central Universities (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for establishment of a Central Tribal University in Telangana.
18. The Repealing and Amending Act, 2023 provides for repealing 76 redundant and obsolete laws.
19.  The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Act, 2023 provides for extending the validity of the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011 for a further period of three years from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2026 thereby providing protection from punitive action to certain forms of unauthorised developments in Delhi.

20. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 provides to regulate the appointment, conditions of service and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, the procedure for transaction of business by the Election Commission and for matters connected therewith.
21. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 provides for matters relating to Press, registration of periodicals and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
22. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 amended and consolidated the laws relating to development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks; assignment of spectrum; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

MATTERS RAISED UNDER RULE 377 IN LOK SABHA AND BY WAY OF SPECIAL MENTION IN RAJYA SABHA

 

Members of the Lok Sabha who wish to bring to the notice of the House any matter which is not a point of order are permitted by the Speaker to raise the matter under rule 377 of the Rule of Procedures and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman permits the members to mention matters of urgent public importance, generally known as Special Mention, under Rule 180 A-E of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha. These matters are generally raised after the disposal of Questions and Calling Attention.

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs takes follow-up action by requesting Ministries/ Departments for timely disposal of the issues raised under Rule 377 in Lok Sabha and under Rule 180 A-E by way of Special Mentions in Rajya Sabha.  During the period 01.01.2023 to 08.12.2023, 951 matters were raised in Lok Sabha under Rule 377 and 60 issues were raised by way of Special Mention under Rule 180 A-E in Rajya Sabha. During the period under report, 77% of issues raised in Lok Sabha and 80% of issues raised in Rajya Sabha were replied to.

ZERO HOUR MATTERS

During ‘Zero Hour’ members in both Houses with the permission of the Presiding Officer, raise matters of urgent public importance. During the period under report, 333 matters were raised in Lok Sabha and 204 matters were raised in Rajya Sabha. All the matters were forwarded to the concerned Ministries for taking appropriate action, as deemed fit.

YOUTH PARLIAMENT

Youth Parliament Competitions

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs organizes various Youth Parliament Competitions in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Delhi Schools and Universities / Colleges under the respective schemes. The Prize Distribution Functions for the winners of Youth Parliament Competitions of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Delhi schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas for the session 2022-23 were organized on 4^th May, 2023, 21^st July, 2023 and 1^st September, 2023 respectively.
   

[Prize Distribution Function of 24^th National Youth Parliament Competition, 2022-23 for JNVs  organized on 4^th May, 2023]

[Prize Distribution Function of 33^rd National Youth Parliament Competition, 2022-23 for KVs  organized on 1^st September, 2023]

 

 

[Prize Distribution Function of 55^th Youth Parliament Competition, 2022-23 for Delhi schools   organized on 21^st July, 2023]

 

• National Level Evaluations of 16^th National Youth Parliament Competitions for universities/colleges were completed during April and May months of 2023.
   
• National Level evaluations of 34^th National Youth Parliament Competition, 2023-24 for Kendriya Vidyalayas were completed on 13^th December, 2023.
   
• Apart from these, financial assistance was also provided to 3 State Governments for organizing Youth Parliament Competitions during 2023-24.

 

Web-portal of National Youth Parliament Scheme

• To increase the outreach of the Youth Parliament programme to hitherto untouched sections and corners of the country, a web-portal of National Youth Parliament Scheme was launched on November 26^th, 2019.
• The 3^rd edition of NYPS was launched on 1st April, 2023.
• During the period from 1^st January, 2023 to 14^th December, 2023, 1207 registrations have been received from various educational institutions on the web-portal.

Special sittings of Youth Parliament

• The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs organized special sittings of Youth Parliament on the theme of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) in at least one institution every month starting from January, 2022 to August, 2023. A total of 10 special sittings were organized during the period of January, 2023 to August, 2023.

[A special sitting of Youth Parliament on the theme of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was organized by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Amravati, Maharashtra on 18^th February, 2023]

 

 

[A special sitting of Youth Parliament on the theme of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was organized by Kendriya Vidyalaya AFS Manauri, Prayagraj (U.P.) on 21^st February, 2023]

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES

The Ministry constitutes Consultative Committees of Members of Parliament and makes arrangements for holding their meetings during session and inter-session periods. After the constitution of 17^th Lok Sabha, 37 Consultative Committees were constituted for various Ministries/Departments. Two more Consultative Committees for Ministry of Labour & Employment and Ministry of Law & Justice were constituted on 28.07.2020 and 20.04.2022 respectively.

The following activities were undertaken during the year 2023:

1. Further one more Consultative Committee for Ministry of Cooperation was constituted on 24^th March, 2023.
2. 15 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) were nominated on Hindi Salahkar Samitis of various ministries/departments.
3. 12 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) were nominated on various Boards/Councils/Commissions set up under Govt of India.
4. 26 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) were nominated on various Railway User’s Consultative Committees.
5. Zonal Railway User’s Consultative Committees for 16 zones were reconstituted on 12.07.2023 for a term of 2 years.
6. 157 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) were nominated on Consultative Committees for various ministries.
7. Names of 69 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) were deleted from Consultative Committees for various Ministries on retirement/resignation/ demise of Members of Parliament.
8. 73 Meetings of the Consultative Committees were held in 2023.

ASSURANCES (LOK SABHA AND RAJYA SABHA)

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs launched the Software application OAMS (Online Assurance Monitoring System) on 9^th October, 2018. Through this system, the Ministry is receiving large number of implementation reports. Periodically, reminders are issued to all Ministries/Departments at the level of Minister, Secretary, Additional Secretary for ensuring quick disposal of pending assurances. In addition, Oral Evidence of various Ministries/Departments in this regard are taken by the Committee on Government Assurances to quickly dispose of the pending Assurances. The monitoring system put in place is effective, as such, pendency has reduced considerably. In the year 2023, a total of 395 Implementation Reports were laid in Lok Sabha and total 303 Implementation Reports were laid in Rajya Sabha.

NATIONAL E-VIDHAN APPLICATION (NeVA)

The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs is the ‘Nodal Ministry’ for implementation of NeVA MMP in all the States/ UTs with Legislatures and has been empowered to take all necessary steps to promote & roll out e-Vidhan re-designated as National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in all the 31 States/ UTs with Legislatures. The NeVA project has achieved notable milestones in its remarkable journey. Presently, 22 Legislatures have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry. Out of these, 18 have received project sanction and funding. Moreover, 12 Legislatures, such as Bihar Council, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh (both Houses), Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Mizoram, Tripura, Gujarat, and Punjab, have successfully digitized their Houses through the NeVA platform. These accomplishments underscore the project's effective implementation and expanding influence.

This year marked a significant milestone in the NeVA project as apart from signing of Memorandum of Understanding by Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly for NeVA implementation, the detailed project report for Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Assembly were also approved by the Empowered Committee of NeVA. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Tripura Legislative Assembly, and Gujarat Legislative Assembly successfully went live with NeVA. It was a matter of pride for all the stakeholders of the NeVA that the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu inaugurated NeVA project for Digital Legislature in Gujarat Legislative Assembly during this period.

[President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated National eVidhan Application (NeVA) at Gujarat Legislative Assembly on 13-09-2023]

 

 

As part of the midterm review of the NeVA project in all State/UT legislatures, a two-dayNational Workshop on NeVA took place on May 24-25, 2023 in New Delhi. The workshop was attended by over 200 attendees from State/UT Legislatures, State Governments, and NIC.

 

[The Two-Days National Workshop on 24^th & 25^th May, 2023 was inaugurated by Union Minister Sh. Piyush Goyal and Union Minister Sh. Pralhad V. Joshi, Minister of State, Sh. V. Muraleedharan & Sh. Gudey Srinivas, IAS, Secretary, MoPA also marked their presence]

 

 

[Address by Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Hon'ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines in National Workshop of National eVidhan Application (NeVA), organised by MoPA on 24^th & 25^th May, 2023]

 

[Token of Appreciation to 9 Legislatures- Bihar Council, Nagaland Assembly, UP Assembly ,Haryana Assembly, Mizoram Assembly, Meghalaya Assembly, UP Council, Tamil Nadu Assembly & Sikkim Assembly for proactive steps for Successful Implementation of NeVA by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State(I/C) for Law and Justice, Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Culture]

 

 

[Union Minister Sh. Piyush Goyal presented the prestigious Computer Society Award for National eVidhan Application to  Union Minister Sh. Pralhad Joshi]

CELEBRATION OF CONSTITUTION DAY 2023

For elebration of the Constitution Day on 26^th November, 2023, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs operationalized two web-portals for larger public participation:

• Online reading of Preamble to the Constitution in 22 Official Languages and English (readpreamble.nic.in)
• Online Quiz on “Bharat : Loktantra ki Janani” (constitutionquiz.nic.in)

About 28 Lacs people have participated on these two Portals, details of which are as under:

• Online reading of Preamble to the Constitution – 17,81,496
• Online Quiz on “Bharat : Loktantra ki Janani” – 10,63,462

PROTOCOL AND WELFARE

Visit of Government Sponsored Goodwill Delegation of Members of Parliament to foreign countries

The Parliamentarians of a country play a significant role in determining the policies of the country and strengthening of relations with other countries. More particularly, it is indeed useful and necessary for a democratic and developing country like India to select some Members of Parliament and distinguished personalities and utilize their services in projecting our policies, programmes, problems and achievements in different fields with their counterparts and other opinion makers in other countries and secure their support in favour of India.

In consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs and the concerned missions of India one Goodwill Delegation of Parliamentarians was sent to Brazil and Uruguay during 11th June, 2023 to 19th June, 2023 under the leadership of Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

         Meeting with Delegations from abroad

Besides sending the delegations abroad, various delegations from abroad called on Minister of Parliamentary Affairs/Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and exchange views on functioning of Parliament and other matters of mutual interest. This year, two such parliamentary delegations from Argentina and Brazil met the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs on 06.2.2023 and 18.07.2023 respectively.

         Liaison with Leaders of various parties/groups in Parliament.

One of the vital functions allotted to Parliamentary Affairs Ministry under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 is liaison with Leaders and Whips of various political Parties and Groups represented in Parliament. The Ministry makes necessary arrangements/co-ordinates the meetings of leaders of various political parties/groups in Parliament convened by the Prime Minister and other Union Ministers in order to evolve consensus on important national and international issues. During the period under report, 4 such meetings were convened on 30.01.2023, 19.07.2023, 17.09.2023 and 02.12.2023 before the commencement of Parliament Sessions on the subject of smooth functioning of Parliament.

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           BY/AKN

 

ANNEXURE

 

BILLS PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT DURING THE YEAR (JANUARY-DECEMBER, 2023)

S. No.	Name of the Bill
	The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2023
	The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2023
	The Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2023
	The Appropriation Bill, 2023
	The Finance Bill, 2023
	The Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022
	The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023
	The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023
	The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023
	The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023
	The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Mediation Bill, 2023
	The Inter-services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill, 2023
	The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023.
	The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023
	The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order Amendment Bill, 2023
	The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill, 2023
	The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023
	The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
	The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
	The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023
	The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Post Office Bill, 2023
	The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2023
	The Appropriation (No. 4) Bill, 2023
	The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023
	The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023
	The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
	The Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
	The Bhartiya Sakshya Bill, 2023
	The Telecommunications Bill, 2023
	The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023
	The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023

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