Bill to ban WMDs, Antarctic Bill passed in the Upper House

JAISHANKAR SAID THAT CURRENT LAW ONLY COVERS TRADING AND DOES NOT COVER FINANCING OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

Parliament on Monday passed bills which seek to ban funding of weapons of mass destruction and to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Amendment Bill, 2022, piloted by external affairs minister S Jaishankar, was passed by the Rajya Sabha with a voice vote even as opposition parties continued their protest over various issues, including the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut in a money laundering case. The bill was approved by the Lok Sabha in April.

Replying to a debate on the bill, Jaishankar said all members who spoke on the proposed legislation recognised that terrorism is a serious threat and so are weapons of mass destruction (WMD). He said that the current law only covers trading and does not cover financing of weapons of mass destruction.

“This gap needs to be filled because recommendation...of the Financial Action Task Force requires all countries, including us, to ensure that assets financing for WMD-related activities is prohibited.

“So keeping in mind this lacunae of the current law we have brought this amendment. This is good for the security of the country. This is good for the reputation of the country,” Jaishankar said.

The Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022, piloted in the Upper House by Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh, was passed with a voice vote after a brief discussion amid a protest by Opposition on various issues, including the arrest of Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut.The House rejected several amendments moved by Opposition parties, including for sending the bill to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha for scrutiny of the proposed legislation.