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48 Gati Shakti Multi-modal Cargo Terminals commissioned
In order to boost investment from industry in setting up of cargo terminals, ‘Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT)’ policy has been launched, wherein GCTs are being developed by non-railway agencies.
Upto 30th June, 2023, a total of 48 GCTS have been commissioned across the country, which include 05 GCTs (i.e. at Patratu, Sindri, Godda, Pakur and Thaparnagar) in Jharkhand.
As per the provisions of the GCT policy, private parties/agencies/companies come forward to setup terminals. Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal Operators are expected to complete the construction within twenty-four months from grant of ‘In-Principle-Approval’.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 2nd August.
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 Passed
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 was passed in Lok Sabha on 27th June 2023 and Rajya Sabha on 2nd August 2023.
The Bill was first introduced in Lok Sabha on 22nd December 2022. Subsequently, it was referred to the Joint Committee of the Parliament. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill received overwhelming support and insightful suggestions from the Members of the Committee across parties. The Joint Committee on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 held detailed discussions with all the 19 Ministries/Departments along with Legislative Department and Department of Legal Affairs.
Through The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, a total of 183 provisions are being proposed to be decriminalized in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries/Departments.
Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 passed
The Rajya Sabha on 2 August passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 for making amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) today. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on 28.07.2023 and with the passage of the Bill in Rajya Sabha, the Bill will be sent to the President of India for assent.
Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 passed
The Rajya Sabha passed the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 which seeks to make amendments to the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002 (‘OAMDR Act’). The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on 1st August. The Bill will now be sent to the President of India for assent.
Main features of the bill:
• Two types of operating rights to be granted to private sector through auction by competitive bidding, viz. production lease and composite licence
• Amendment to bring major reform in allocation of operating rights in Offshore Areas
• Renewal of production leases provision removed; Period fixed as 50 years similar to MMDR Act
• In case of Atomic Minerals operating rights only to PSUs
Lok Sabha passes Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill – 2023
The Lok Sabha has passed the Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill – 2023. The bill seeks to empower Commander-in-Chief and Officer-in Command of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) with all disciplinary and administrative powers in respect of the personnel serving in or attached to such organisations.
Introducing the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh termed it as part of a series of military reforms being undertaken by the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, with the aim to empower the nation. He described the bill as an important step taken towards integration and jointness among the Armed Forces to face the future challenges in an integrated manner.