AP Reorganization Bill introduced in Budget Session on Day 7

On the seventh sitting of Lok Sabha, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was introduced. The Bill increases the number of seats in the state’s Legislative Council from 50 to 58.

In addition, the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 were also introduced in the Lok Sabha. Both these Bills have been brought in to replace ordinances promulgated in the last months. Opposition members protested the ordinance route taken by the government to introduce these Bills.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in Lok Sabha today. The Bill merges the Persons of Indian Origin cardholders’ scheme with that of Overseas Citizen of India cardholders from a specified date. The parent act required 12 months of continuous stay in India before applying for citizenship in certain cases. The Bill relaxes this requirement up to 30 days.

Additionally, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill was discussed in Lok Sabha. The Bill prescribes for the grant of mining leases for both bulk and ‘notified minerals’ such as iron ore, limestone, bauxite and manganese, through auction. A new category of mining license i.e. the prospecting license-cum-mining lease, which is a two stage-concession for the purpose of undertaking prospecting operations (exploring or proving mineral deposits), followed by mining operations is created by the Bill.

Parliament also passed the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill that enables the DMRC to evict unauthorised occupants from its premises. The Bill also specifies the time limit for such eviction.

Rajya Sabha continued its discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s Address.