MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE MINISTRY

The task of efficiently handling diverse parliamentary work on behalf of the Government, in Parliament, has been assigned to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. As such, the Ministry serves as an important link between the two Houses of Parliament and the Government with some additional responsibilities and functions.

Agnipath– Major Transformative Reform

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF THE MINISTRY

We have the benefit of being guided by three Cabinet Ministers during this Lok Sabha under whose leadership and guidance all work has been done. Shri Venkaiah Naidu relinquished the charge of this Ministry to become Vice President of India. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar took charge of the Ministry after the sad demise of Shri Ananth Kumar. After the constitution of the 17th Lok Sabha, Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi has taken charge of the Ministry.

1. Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu (26.05.2014 to 05.07.2016)

2.Shri Ananth Kumar (05.07.2016 to 12.11.2018)

3.Shri Narendra Singh Tomar (13.11.2018 to 30.05.2019)

4.Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi (30.5.2019 till date)

Some important events/ achievements of 16th & 17th lok sabha

  • A historic decision taken by this Government was to merge the Railway Budget and the General Budget and also to advance the presentation of the General Budget to February 1. This has paved the way for early completion of the Budget cycle and has also enabled Ministries and Departments to ensure better planning and execution of schemes from the beginning of the Financial Year and enable utilization of full working season including the first quarter.
  • The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs wrote the history while hosting the event relating to the Goods and Services a Tax (GST) Roll Out in the Central Hall of Parliament House at midnight on 30th June 2017. It was jointly inaugurated by the Hon‘ble President and Prime Minister and attended by Members of Parliament, Business leaders, and other VIPs from various walks of life.
  • The First Session of 17thLok Sabha was historic as 30 Bills were passed by both the Houses of Parliament in this Session which is a record in a single first/effective Session after the constitution of the new Lok Sabha
  • The abrogation of certain provisions from Article 370 and Presidential Orders thereunder, to ensure equal opportunities to all sections of society in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly with the restoration of applicability of the provisions of the Constitution of India and all socio-economic legislations thereby ensuring rule of law and equity was undertaken. Further for ensuring better administration and for curbing terrorism, the State of Jammu & Kashmir has been reorganized with the formation of two Union Territories - Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • A special function was held in the Central Hall of Parliament on 26th November 2019 for Members of both Houses of Parliament to commemorate the 70 years of adoption of the Constitution.
  • To meet Constitutional requirements of article 85 and for transacting essential legislative and other Business, the Monsoon Session, 2020 and the first part of Budget Session, 2021 and Budget Session, 2022 were held during the COVID-19 pandemic situation by making extraordinary arrangements including that of seating and logistics following all guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Home Affairs
  • The timings of the two Houses were also fixed in a manner to facilitate both the Houses to have their sittings every day during the session. Accordingly, during the Monsoon Session, 2020 the Lok Sabha sat from 3 pm to 7 pm (with extended time, if required) daily except on 14th September 2020 when they sat from 9 am to 1 pm. Rajya Sabha had its sittings from 9 am to 1 pm (with extended time, if required) daily except on 14th September, 2020 when they met from 3 pm to 7 pm.
  • During the Budget Session of 2021, the Lok Sabha sat from 4 pm to 9 pm (with extended time, if required) daily except on 29.01.2021 and 1.02.2021 and Rajya Sabha sat from 9 am to 2 pm (with extended time, if required) daily except on 29.01.2021 and 1.02.2021. During the Budget Session of 2022, the Lok Sabha sat from 4 pm to 9 pm (with extended time, if required) daily except on 31.01.2022 and 01.02.2022 and Rajya Sabha sat from 10 am to 3 pm (with extended time, if required) daily except on 31.01.2022 and 01.02.2022. However during the second part of both these Sessions, the timing of the Houses was reverted to the normal hours ie. 11am to 6 pm (with extended time, if required) following all protocols.
  • The present Government has created a record of sorts in scrapping the old, redundant, and archaic Laws from statute books. A total of 1486 old and redundant Laws have been repealed.

Sector-wise details of other important Legislations

AGRICULTURAL REFORMS

The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020

provides for the creation of an ecosystem where the farmers and traders enjoy the freedom of choice relating to the sale and purchase of farmers‘ produce which facilitates remunerative prices through competitive alternative trading channels; to promote efficient, transparent and barrier-free inter-State and intra-State trade and commerce of farmers‘ produce outside the physical premises of markets or deemed markets notified under various State agricultural produce market legislations; and to provide a facilitative framework for electronic trading. The Business Advisory Committee authorized the Hon‘ble Speaker to allot the time on the Bill. 4 Hrs were allotted in Rajya Sabha by the Business Advisory Committee for discussion along with the Farmers‘ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. Both Bills were taken up for discussion together. 44 members participated in the debate in Lok Sabha for 5 Hrs 36 minutes. In the Rajya Sabha, 33 Members participated in the debate and the Bills were discussed for 4 Hrs 14 Minutes.

The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Prices Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020

provides for a national framework for farming agreements that protects and empowers farmers to engage with agri-business firms, processors, wholesalers, exporters, or large retailers for farm services and sale of future farming produce at a mutually agreed remunerative price framework fairly and transparently. The Business Advisory Committee authorized the Hon‘ble Speaker to allot the time on the Bill. 4 Hrs were allotted in Rajya Sabha by the Business Advisory Committee for discussion along with the Farmers‘ (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020. Both Bills were taken up for discussion together. 44 members participated in the debate in Lok Sabha for 5 Hrs 36 minutes. In the Rajya Sabha, 33 Members participated in the debate and the Bills were discussed for 4 Hrs 14 Minutes.

The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020

will boost immediate investment in the Agriculture sector, increase competition and enhance farmers' income. The Bill was 5 allotted 2 Hrs in Lok Sabha and 3 Hrs in Rajya Sabha by the respective Business Advisory Committee for discussion. 19 members participated in the debate in Lok Sabha and the Bill was discussed for 2 Hrs 23 minutes. In the Rajya Sabha, 6 Members participated in the debate and the Bill was discussed for 41 Minutes.

The Farm Laws Repeal Act, 2021

In view of protests by a group of farmers and to take everyone together on the path of inclusive growth and development in the 75th Year of India‘s Independence, the bill was introduced and passed to repeal the three farm laws namely, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020 passed by Parliament in September 2020 with the objective of overall development of farmers. The Bill was passed with discussion in Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha 1 member participated in the debate and the Bill was discussed for 07 Minutes.