The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved six bills including the Citizenship Amendment Bill and extended reservation for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies for another 10 years.
Responding to questions, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Citizenship Amendment Bill takes care of India's interests.
"I am confident that when the Bill's provisions are announced, Assam, Northeast and the entire country will welcome it."
He said that the Bill will be introduced in Parliament in a day or two.
He said the Bill will be discussed in detail once it is introduced. Javadekar said provisions of the bill are in the national interest and as per natural justice provisions.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 that seeks to provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, said sources.
The Bill, which amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants in select categories eligible for citizenship, has been attacked by the Opposition, minority outfits and others for leaving out the Muslims and also on the ground that it is at odds with the Constitution, which does not differentiate between citizens on the basis of their faith.
The Cabinet also approved land monetisation at Pragati Maidan to build a five-star hotel.
As per the Cabinet decision, a Special Purpose Vehicle will be formed by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for development and operation of a five-star hotel with modern amenities. The Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) will transfer 3.7 acres at Delhi's Pragati Maidan on a 99-year fixed lease for this purpose.
"Hotel facility will add value to the IECC project and promote #India as a global destination for trade and commerce along with employment generation," a tweet by the official spokesperson said.
The ITPO is undertaking a mega project to redevelop Pragati Maidan into a world class international exhibition and convention centre.
Javadekar said the Cabinet has also cleared the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 for care of the elderly, who constitute 10 per cent of the population.
For protection of privacy and personal data, the Cabinet also approved the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019. The Bill will be introduced in the current session of Parliament.
The Cabinet also extended the reservations in representations for SC/ST for 10 years from 2020 to 2030. Javadekar said this is an important step for empowerment and social justice.
Among the decisions was to approve the withdrawal of Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Second Amendment) Bill, 2019.
He said a decision has been taken for the conversion of three Sanskrit deemed to be Universities into Central Universities.
On labour laws, the Cabinet approved the fourth code of labour laws as 44 laws are being converted into four codes.
Jiten accuses RO of West Parliamentary seat for being ‘biased’ in election process; writes ECI
The Leader of Opposition and also the CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury on Thursday accused the Returning Officer of the West Parliamentary constituency of the Lok Sabha Dr Vishal Kumar over his ‘discriminatory’ attitude towards the opposition parties.
MHA extends AFSPA in parts of Arunachal and Nagaland for 6 more months
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in certain districts of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for another six months with effect from April 1, officials said on Thursday.
Arunachal was, is, and will remain an integral part of India: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday that China's repetitive claims on Arunachal Pradesh will not change India's position, and the northeastern state will remain an integral and inalienable part of India.
‘To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture', says PM Modi on lawyers’ letter to CJI
Reacting to an open letter to the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, which was signed by over 600 advocates on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that to "browbeat and bully others is the vintage culture of the Congress".
'Unacceptable, unwarranted': India again slams US' remarks on Arvind Kejriwal
Calling the US State Department's remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal "unwarranted", India on Thursday said that any such external imputation on the electoral and legal process is completely unacceptable.
Excise policy case: Delhi court extends CM Kejriwal's ED custody till April 1
CM Kejriwal, whose alleged role in the excise policy scam is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), was produced before Special Judge Kaweri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Court on the expiry of his six-day ED remand on Thursday.
CM not above law, says ED as Kejriwal questions rationale behind his arrest
"The case has been going on for two years. The case was filed on August 17. No court has found me guilty. There are no charges against me nor has any case been filed against me. But I have been arrested," he said.
Ukrainian FM arrives in India to build on talks between PM Modi, Volodymyr Zelenskyy
In a first high-level visit by a Ukrainian leader since the start of hostilities with Russia in 2022, Kuleba began his two-day official visit at the invitation of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.