The opposition may continue to call for a debate on the GST rate increase, the Agnipath scheme, and other issues as the government prepares to introduce The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 in the Rajya Sabha and pass it on April 6, 2022.
On Monday, chaos ruled the Upper House as a result of a protest by the opposition calling for discussions on a number of issues, including the Agneepath scheme and the increase in the GST rate, among others. Members of the opposition submitted notices asking for the business to be suspended, but they were denied.
The House was adjourned for the day by Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu, who was presiding over his final session as chairman.
The Upper House of the Parliament will move the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 during the afternoon’s legislative proceedings. The Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Illegal Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022 was presented to the Lok Sabha on April 5.
The WMD and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005, which outlaws the production, transportation, and transfer of WMD (chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons) and their delivery systems, is amended by the proposed legislation.
Prohibition of Financing Certain Activities
In the statements of objects and reasons for the bill, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar stated that “recently, regulations relating to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems by international organisations have expanded.” The amendment’s approval will improve both India’s position internationally and in terms of national security. The House unanimously agreed that passing the bill was necessary at the present time and did so by voice vote.
No one shall finance any activity that is prohibited by this Act, the United Nations (Security Council Act), any other applicable Act currently in effect, or by an order issued under any such Act with regard to weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, according to the proposed amendment to Section 12A of the existing law.
Along with that, it seeks to grant the government the authority to “freeze, seize, or attach funds or other financial assets or economic resources owned or controlled, wholly or jointly, directly or indirectly, by such person; or held by or on behalf of, or at the direction of, such person; or derived or generated from the funds or other assets owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such person.”
The amendment also includes a clause that would forbid anyone from “making funds, financial assets, economic resources, or related services available for the benefit of persons connected to any activity which is prohibited under this Act.”
The bill is intended to be an amendment to a shortcoming, something that is missing in a current law, it is not intended to be a new law, the minister said. “We are upgrading a law that is 17 years old, which like other legislations need updating… FATF needs very specific reference to financing,” the minister said.