On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Monday, the Centre is likely to table 'The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022' in the Rajya Sabha (RS).
The Upper House will also make obituary reference to the passing away of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, legendary Santoor player Pandit Shivkumar Sharma and others.
The Opposition is likely to corner the government on issues like Agnipath (the new recruitment schemes for the armed forces), inflation, falling rupee and others.
The Bill will be tabled for consideration and passing. Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar will move the Bill to amend the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005, as passed by Lok Sabha.
What's the Bill about?
The Bill amends 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 also bars persons from financing any prohibited activity related to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. To prevent persons from financing such activities, the central government may freeze, seize or attach their funds, financial assets, or economic resources (whether owned, held, or controlled directly or indirectly).
It may also prohibit persons from making finances or related services available for the benefit of other persons in relation to any activity which is prohibited.
The Rajya Sabha Secretary General will lay on the Table a statement showing the Bills passed by the Houses of Parliament during the 256th Session of the Rajya Sabha and assented to by the President.
The Rajya will also make obituary reference to the passing away of former Members Kishore Kumar Mohanty, Robert Kharshiing and K.K. Veerappan, President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and third President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki.
(With inputs from IANS)
