Bills in the Parliament

The Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development Shri Kamal Nath held a meeting with
Leaders of various political parties in Parliament in New Delhi today. The following essential items of
Government Business were identified to be transacted during the second part of Winter Session beginning
from Wednesday 5
th
February 2014; the session subject to exigencies of business may conclude on the Friday
21
st
February 2014:

I Six key Anti - Corruption Bills

Sl.No Title of the Bill
1. The Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011, as passed by Lok Sabha; - Part discussed
2. The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010, as passed by Lok Sabha;
3. The Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of Their Grievances Bill,
2011;
4. The Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Official and Officials of Public International Organisations Bill, 2011;
5. The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013; (With standing committee likely to
be presented on 6.2.2014). and
6. The Public Procurement Bill, 2012. (With standing committee likely to be presented).


II Bills passed by Rajya Sabha pending in Lok Sabha

Sl.
No
Title of the Bill
1 The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012;
2 The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2011
3 The National Waterway (Lakhipur-Banga Stretch of the Barak River) Bill, 2013;
4 The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010;
5 The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2012;
6. The Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2010 reservation for women in Lok Sabha and
Legislative Assemblies;
7. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twentieth Amendment) Bill, 2013 Appointment of
Judges; and
8. The Constitution (One Hundred Seventeenth Amendment) Bill, 2012- reservation in
Government services to SCs and STs.

III Bills passed by Lok Sabha pending in Rajya Sabha

Sl.
No
Title of the Bill
1. The National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Amendment)
Bill, 2013;
2. The Governors (Emoluments, Allowances and Privileges) Amendment Bill, 2012;
3 The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2012;
4. The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2012;
5. The Educational Tribunals Bill Discussion deferred; and
6. The Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram
Bill, 2011

IV Important Bills
(i) Bills pending in Lok Sabha
1. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2011
2. The Securities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2013
3. The Piracy Bill, 2012
4. The Warehousing Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2011
5. The Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2011
6. The Civil Aviation Authority of India Bill, 2013

(ii) Bills pending in Rajya Sabha
1. The National Identification Authority of India Bill, 2010
2. The Rani Lakshmi Bai Central University Bill, 2012
3. The Delhi Rent (Repeal) Bill, 2013

(iii) New Bills for introduction, consideration and passing
1. The Finance Bill, 2014
2. The Telangana Bill, 2014
3. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014
4. The Delhi Hotels (Controlling of Accommodation) (Repeal) Bill, 2014

FINANCIAL
1. Presentation of Interim Budget (Railways) for 2014-15
2. General Discussion on Interim Budget (Railways) for 2014-15
3. Discussion and Voting on Interim Demands for Grants on Account (Railways) for
2014-15
4. Presentation of Interim Budget (General) for 2014-15
5. General Discussion on Interim Budget (General) for 2014-15
6. Discussion and Voting on Interim Demands for Grants on Account (General) for 2014-
15


Amendments to the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 pending in Rajya Sabha:
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for amendments to the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 suggested by Parliament`s
Standing Committee on External Affairs and accepted by the Government. The Bill deals with the twin issues of autonomy and governance. It
seeks to further refine some of the provisions of the Nalanda University Act, 2010 (39 of 2010) to create an even better governance structure
for the University than exists presently, and help speed up the project.

The following are the salient amendments proposed by the Standing Committee and accepted by the Government:

i. In respect of the University, inclusion of the words "non-state, non-profit, self-governing international institution having academic freedom
for attainment of these objectives" in the Preamble;
ii. Also, a mention of the inter-governmental Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of Nalanda University that came into force
on October 10, 2013 and the provision that any other State that subscribes to the object and purpose of the establishment of the University to
become signatory to the MoU;
iii. Vice-Chancellor shall also perform the role of Member-Secretary of the Governing Board;
iv. The Nalanda Mentor Group will continue as Governing Board till members referred to in clauses (c) to (h) of sub-section (1) of section 7 are
nominated;
v. The Headquarters Agreement specifying privileges and immunities of the academic staff will be made applicable from the date of signing of
such Agreement; and
vi. Instead of five members from the participating countries of the East Asia Summit, the Governing Board will have seven members, one each
nominated by seven participating and non-participating countries of the East Asia Summit.

The Government of India has approved an expenditure of Rs. 2727.10 crore for the period 2010-11 to 2021-22 in order to meet the University`s
budgetary requirements during its establishment phase. A number of participating countries, such as China, Thailand, Laos, Singapore,
Australia, and Japan have either made or offered voluntary contributions. The provisions of the Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and
the amendments suggested by the Standing Committee do not involve any additional expenditure.

The jurisdiction of the University shall extend to the whole of India and to centres established within or outside India. The University is an
international institution of national importance.

Background

The Nalanda University (Amendment) Bill, 2013, designed to further streamline the governance structure of the University and provide it the
financial support required for the establishment of a world class institution of high learning, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August 2013.
The Parliament`s Standing Committee on External Affairs scrutinised the Bill and presented its Report to both the Houses on 17thDecember,
2013.

The Committee endorsed the objectives and the following specific provisions of the Amendment Bill:

1) The Government of India may meet both capital and recurring expenditure of the University to the extent required;
2) Retrospective application of the University`s Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations;
3) President of India will be the Visitor of the University;
4) Two members of the academic faculty will be nominated by the Vice-Chancellor to the Governing Board;
5) Secondment of persons to join the University will be allowed; and
6) Non-participating countries of the East Asia Summit will be allowed to collaborate in developing the University as an international centre of
excellence.