New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha today passed the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2022, which seeks to give effect to India’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The bill will amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to increase the species protected under the law passed on August 2, 2022 and also regulate nations to trade all listed specimens through permits.
On the second day of the winter session of Parliament today, Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved to amend the Multi-state Co-operative Societies Act, 2002. Meanwhile, the central government made it clear that it has no proposal to reintroduce National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC). Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju announced the same in the Lok Sabha. It has to be noted that on at least 3 recent occasions the minister has criticised the Collegium System on public forums by calling it Opaque & Unaccountable, Alien to the Constitution of India, and Not Backed by the Citizens.
Earlier on Wednesday, Rajya Sabha welcomed its new Chairman, Jagdeep Dhankar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the lead in expressing confidence that the Upper House will scale new heights with some serious debates. Contrarily, opposition members urged him to give more time for discussions and ensure that Opposition’s voice is heard.