Derogatory attacks against Mayawati was not the only talking point about Wednesday’s Parliament session.
The government approved two bills for introduction in the Parliament and several other proposals and agreements were approved.
Here are the 7 highlights:
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill
Over a year after the Rajya Sabha approved a private member’s bill to protect the rights of transgenders, the government on Wednesday cleared a similar legislation to protect transgenders from discrimination.
The Union Cabinet approved ‘The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016’ for introduction in Parliament.
Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2015
In a bid to effectively prohibit benami transactions, the Centre approved a proposal to introduce amendments to the ‘Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2015’ in Parliament. The amendments aim to strengthen the Bill in terms of legal and administrative procedure so as to overcome the practical difficulties which may arise in the implementation of its provisions when it becomes an Act.
Proposal for New Electronic Voting Machines
An Election Commission proposal to buy nearly 14 lakh new Electronic Voting Machines ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls received a push, as the government approved the first tranche of nearly Rs 920 crore to procure 5.50 lakh new ballot units and 5.45 lakh control units during 2016-17.
AIIMS In Uttar Pradesh
The government gave its nod to the establishment of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, a move which aims at providing super-specialty health care to people of the state and creating a large pool of doctors.
The approval is under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) at an estimated cost of Rs 1,011 crore.
Air Services Agreement Between India and Mozambique
The Union Cabinet approved the signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Mozambique, a move that will promote air connectivity between the two countries. Presently there is no such agreement between India and Mozambique.
Skill Development Agreement Between India and Swiss Confederation
A skill development agreement signed between India and Swiss Confederation was approved. Prime Minister Modi has given an ex-post-facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of the Swiss Confederation, for cooperation in skill development.
A Push to Sagarmala Project
To give a push to port-led economic development under its ambitious Sagarmala project, the government approved the incorporation of Sagarmala Development Company under the Companies Act with Rs 1,000 crore as initial authorised share capital. Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) will provide equity support to the project Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and funding support to the residual projects under the Sagarmala Programme.
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