Page 16 - Lok Sabha

LS clears Coastal Shipping Bill 2024 to boost maritime trade: Sonowal

The Lok Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, paving the way for a dedicated legal framework for coastal trade as the maritime sector aims to provide a economical, reliable and sustainable mode of transportation as it decongest road and rail network."The Bill seeks to unlock the full potential of India's vast and strategic coastline, providing dedicated legal framework for coastal trade," asserted Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) as he introduced the bill in the Lower House earlier in the day.The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 aims to make coastal trade easier, more competitive, and better integrated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Govt's overall transport vision -- the National Logistics Policy. With its manifold forward looking provisions, the bill provides a future ready legal framework while upgrading the dated provision of earlier legislations like Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The proposed bill introduces key provisions ...

Waqf (Amendment) Bill debate moves to Rajya Sabha - What's the road ahead?

The Waqf Bill now faces a key test in Rajya Sabha (236 seats). NDA needs 119 votes and has 125 with independents. The opposition holds 95, while 16 members remain undecided

Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed in Lok Sabha: Here's all you need to know

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed after amendments proposed by opposition members were rejected through voice votes. It was cleared by a division of votes, with 288 in favour and 232 against

Gaurav Gogoi moves adjournment motion over US tariffs on Indian exports

Gogoi, in his notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, emphasised the "urgent and pressing" need to debate the economic ramifications of these tariffs

Lok Sabha clears Waqf Bill after 12-hour debate; Opposition slams move

Opposition calls the Bill anti-Muslim and unconstitutional; Centre says it aims to ensure transparency and efficiency in waqf administration

Highlights: Lok Sabha clears Waqf Amendment Bill after marathon debate

Parliament Budget Session updates: The government has decided to table the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha today. Catch all the updates here

BJP allies back Waqf Bill; Shah, Rijiju say it won't be retrospective

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key ally of the BJP, urged the government to show flexibility in drafting the rules to allow states to determine the composition of the Waqf boards

Explained: Section 40 of Waqf Act and why its removal sparked controversy

Section 40 of the earlier Waqf Act allowed Waqf Board the 'power to decide' if a property is a Waqf property or not. It granted the board authority to classify properties as Waqf holdings

Give more flexibility to states to decide composition of Waqf boards: TDP

NDA ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Wednesday urged the government to consider providing flexibility to the states to determine the composition of Waqf boards. Participating in the debate on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti said the Centre while framing rules to the Act should consider providing flexibility to the states to decide the composition of Waqf boards. He hoped that the Centre would consider the suggestion of giving flexibility to the state governments with regard to composition of boards in their respective states in the interest of Muslim women, youth and downtrodden. This step will ensure the TDP's dedication of inclusive growth and welfare of communities, he said. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act, 1995 to address issues in regulating and managing Waqf properties. Waqf boards oversee 8.7 lakh properties across 9.4 lakh acres in India, valued at Rs 1.2 lakh crore. The bill proposes removing Section 40 of the Waqf Act, whi

'Muslims welcome it, you must see it': Rijiju on Waqf Bill. Top quotes

The Centre introduced the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in Parliament today amid protests from Muslim organisations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board

India's media ecosystem doesn't require foreign validation: MoS L Murugan

India has a vibrant press and media ecosystem which does not need validation from foreign organisations, the government told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan said this in a written response to a question from Congress MP K Sudhakaran, who asked about "India's decline in the Global Press Freedom Index ranking in 2024". "India has a vibrant press and media ecosystem, which does not need validation from foreign organisations," he said. In its report published last year, global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked India 159th out of 180 countries based on journalists' ability to work and report freely and independently. India was ranked below Turkey, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which stood at 158th, 152nd, and 150th positions, respectively. RSF has consultative status with the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Organisation of the Francophonie. Asked about steps taken by the governme

Waqf Bill in Lok Sabha: What is a whip and how does it work in Parliament?

As parties issue three-line whips for the Waqf Bill, here's a look at what a whip means in India's parliamentary system and what happens if MPs defy it

Waqf Bill up for debate in the Lok Sabha today: All you need to know

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, proposes key changes to waqf property management, sparking protests from Muslim organisations and opposition parties over concerns of government control

Govt moves Bill to remove licence need for Indian coastal shippers

Opposition claims bill promotes centralisation of power

Highlights: Supreme Court refuses to release Ranveer Allahbadia's passport until Latent probe ends

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Waqf bill: NDA, India bloc issue whips as Parliament braces for showdown

With battle lines clearly drawn, the Parliament debate is expected to be heated as the incumbent NDA government and the Opposition face off over the implications of the Waqf Amendment Bill

Waqf Bill: LS debate on Apr 2, RS on Apr 3; TDP, JDU issue whip for support

The Lok Sabha will take up the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill for discussion and passage on Wednesday, setting the stage for a showdown between a government determined to push it through and an opposition united in condemning the proposed law as unconstitutional. Rajya Sabha is expected to take it up on Thursday, with the two Houses allocated eight hours each for debating the proposed law. Some BJP allies, sources said, continue to push for more changes in the bill. A senior member of a BJP ally expressed hope that the saffron party will accommodate their views, stressing that some of their concerns were addressed by the Joint Committee of Parliament which scrutinised the bill. However, he emphasised that the NDA will remain united on the issue. TDP and JD(U), the two biggest constituents of the NDA after the BJP, issued whips to their MPs asking them to support the government stand. The opposition INDIA bloc also presented a united face on Wednesday as its parties discussed th

Waqf bill: Congress issues whip to its Lok Sabha MPs for next 3 days

The Congress party issued the three-line whip after the government made it clear that the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill will be taken up in the Lok Sabha

Waqf Amendment Bill sparks row in LS, Opposition walks out over debate time

The Waqf Amendment Bill faces fierce Opposition in Lok Sabha, with leaders clashing over debate time, triggering a walkout amid concerns over its impact on Muslim properties

Govt presses on policy to shield local industries amid Trump tariffs threat

Jitin Prasada's reply in Parliament comes just a day before US President Donald Trump's proposed reciprocal tariffs come into effect