Parliament passes Weapon of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill 2022 and Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022
Parliament has passed the Weapon of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill 2022 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today amid the din.
The Bill seeks to amend the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005. The 2005 Act prohibits unlawful activities such as manufacturing, transport or transfer related to weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. Weapons of mass destruction are biological, chemical or nuclear weapons. The Bill bars persons from financing any prohibited activity related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
Responding to the discussion, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar said that terrorism is a serious threat and weapon of mass destruction is also a grave threat. He said, this Bill is good for the security and reputation of the country.
The Parliament has passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today amid din. The Bill was passed by the Upper House negating the amendments moved by Left MPs. The Lok Sabha has already cleared the Bill.
The Bill seeks to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. It also seeks to protect the Antarctic environment and regulate activities in the region.
Speaking on the Bill, Union Earth Science Minister Dr. Jitender Singh said, Antarctica is a very unique land and India has four treaties in place. He said, India has two establishments there, one is Maitri and second is Bharati. Participating in the discussion, Sushil Modi of BJP, M. Thambidurai of AIADMK, Niranjan Reddy of YSR Congress and others supported the Bill. While, discussion was on members from Congress, TMC, DMK, Left and others continued their protest in the House. Later, DMK members staged a walk out. After passage of the Bill, the House was adjourned for the day.
