Rajya Sabha Passes Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) and Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bills Amid Opposition Walkout
On Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha successfully passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023, and the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, despite the absence of the Opposition. The passage came after members of the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc staged a walkout, protesting the denial of an opportunity to address the House on violent incidents in the country.
Earlier that day, Opposition leaders, led by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, met President Droupadi Murmu to seek intervention on the Manipur issue. In the Lok Sabha, proceedings were disrupted, with the Opposition reiterating their demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on Manipur.
During the session, the Rajya Sabha also managed to pass several other Bills, including the Mediation Bill, 2021, and the Biological Diversity Amendment Bill, 2023. However, the Lok Sabha barely conducted any proceedings and was adjourned shortly after reconvening at 2.00 p.m.
Furthermore, a no-confidence motion against the government, admitted in the Lok Sabha the previous week, is scheduled for discussion between August 8 and 10.
