Lok Sabha passed Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, Here’s what you need to know about it

The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, which includes disputed exemptions for construction on forestland, was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, despite opposition protests about Manipur violence.

Earlier in the day, six bills were brought in the Lok Sabha, four of which were connected to Jammu and Kashmir, as the administration pushed its legislative agenda after Speaker Om Birla admitted the no-confidence motion against the government moved by the Congress and other opposition parties.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 were introduced in the House.

Two more bills were introduced: the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha experienced many disruptions as opposition members pressed for a discussion on the Manipur crisis under Rule 267. Piyush Goyal, the Speaker of the House, objected to the remarks made by Congress leader P Chidambaram about the Chair.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar stated that the original words of Congress members and his subsequent clarification remarks were in conflict.

The Lok Sabha Speaker accepted a no-confidence resolution against the government proposed by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on behalf of the I.N.D.I.A alliance of opposition parties.

“Honourable members, I have to inform the House that I have received a motion of no confidence in the Council of Ministers from Gaurav Gogoi,” Birla said.

He furthermore admitted the motion after ascertaining support to it and said the time of debate will be communicated later.