-Amendment-Bill-amid-protests-by-Oppn.jpg)
Amid protests by the Congress-led opposition, which has been seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response and presence in the Lok Sabha on the Manipur situation, the Lower House on Wednesday passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day, soon after the Bill was passed.
The Bill seeks to amend the Forest Conservation Act (1980), which was brought in to prevent exploitation of India's forest reserves and gave powers to the Central government to compensate adequately for any land used for non-forest purposes.
The proposed legislation also exempts certain types of land from the purview of the Act.
These include land within 100 km of India's border needed for national security projects, small roadside amenities, and public roads leading to a habitation.
The state government requires prior approval of the central government to assign any forest land to a private entity. The Bill extends this to all entities, and allows the assignment to be made on terms and conditions specified by the central government.
The bill was passed within 40 minutes through voice vote after only four MPs participated in the discussion on it.
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, while replying to a discussion on the Bill, said it has been brought in to encourage agro-forestry, biodiversity and increased tree cover.
He further said that the proposed legislation aims to boost road connectivity in Left Wing extremism affected areas as well as border and tribal areas.
The Bill was first introduced in Lok Sabha on March 29 this year during the budget session of Parliament.
It was, however, referred to the joint committee of Parliament, led by BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal for scrutiny amid objections raised by several opposition members.
The committee,s report, accepting all provisions of the Bill, was laid in Parliament on July 20.
Though several opposition members from Congress, Trinamool Congress and DMK had sent dissent notes to the joint panel, they were overruled and the report was laid in both Houses of Parliament.
-Amendment-Bill-amid-protests-by-Oppn.jpg&description=LS passes Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill amid protests by Oppn){kind=link}
PM Modi congratulates CBSE students, says 'one exam can never define you'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated lakhs of students across India who appeared for the Class 10 and 12 Board examinations, as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the results.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviews security with top officials, chiefs of forces
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the new normal in the country’s tough anti-terror policy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday reviewed the security situation with top officials and chiefs of forces.
CBSE Class 10 results declared; girls outperformed boys once again
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the Class 10 Board exam results for 2025 on Tuesday. This year, an impressive 93.66 per cent of students passed the examination. Over 23 lakh students appeared for the exam, which was held at 7,837 centres across 26,675 affiliated schools.
Chinese missile maker's stock tanks over 6 pc after India destroys its air weapon
The shares of Zhuzhou Hongda Electronics Corp Ltd, the Chinese defence company that manufactures the PL-15 missile, dropped sharply by 6.42 per cent or 2.56 Yuan to 37.33 Yuan on Tuesday, after India's air defence system successfully intercepted and destroyed the missile during the conflict with Pakistan.
Three terrorists killed in J&K gunfight
Three terrorists were killed on Tuesday in a gunfight with the joint forces in Keller area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. V. K. Birdi, IGP (Kashmir), told reporters that three terrorists have been killed.
CBSE announces Class 12 result; pass percentage 88.39 per cent
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday declared the results for the Class 12 examinations, in which girls once again outperformed boys.
India is eternally grateful to armed forces: PM Modi visits Adampur Airbase after 'Operation Sindoor'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday morning visited the Adampur Airbase in Punjab to meet Indian Air Force personnel and express the nation's gratitude for their courage and fearlessness in defending the country.
Devotees throngs Venuban Vihar; meditates and offer prayer to Lord Buddha
Along with the rest of the world, Buddha Purnima was observed here at Agartala with a traditional fervour to mark not only the day when Gautam Buddha was born, but also the day when he attained Nirvana under the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya.