After heated discussions spanning seven hours, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed by a majority of 311 votes against 80 in the Lower House where 391 members were present and voting on Monday (December 9).
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (December 11) hailed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, as a historic one during the BJP parliament meeting ahead of today's session in Rajya Sabha where the Bill would be tabled.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Citizenship Amendment Bill is a historic bill," Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said after the meeting.
The Bill, which seeks to grant Indian citizenship to refugees from Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, will be tabled in the Upper House at 2 pm today by Union home minister Amit Shah.
The BJP has also compiled the achievements of the NDA government in the first six months of its second term in the form of a book which was distributed among MPs during the parliamentary party meeting.
"A book was distributed among MPs. It contains achievements of the BJP government in last six months. MPs were asked to go among the masses and inform them about the achievements of the government," sources said.
The book titled "A SPLENDID START Big Promises Delivered, Bigger Expectations Triggered #6MonthsofIndiaFirst" was distributed during BJP Parliamentary meeting in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present.
The chapters in the book includes- One Nation One Constitution Becomes a reality After 70 Years, Ensuring Peace And Harmony- Post Ayodhya Verdict, Sweeping Reforms for 5 Trillion Dollar Economy, India Marching Globally, Empowering India's Nari Shakti, Decisive Six Months for Farmer's Income and Security, Fostering Good Governance, True Tribute to Mahatma #Gandhi150 and Quality of Life.
In the 245-member Rajya Sabha, the halfway mark is currently 121 as five seats are vacant bringing down the strength of the House to 240.
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