The Winter Session of Parliament is underway with the Opposition trying to corner the government on a host of issues including a standoff with China, inflation, and unemployment.

The Rajya Sabha passed the 'The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022' and is likely to pass the 'The Constitution (SC and ST) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022'.

The Winter Session of Parliament commenced on December 7 and will continue till December 29, having 17 sittings spread over 23 days.

Here are the latest updates from the Winter Session:

#Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have been adjourned till 11am tomorrow

#Parliament panel asks govt to prepare policy document on India's soft power projections

Emphasising that soft power capabilities have great relevance in augmenting positive perceptions about a country, a parliamentary panel on Monday asked the government to prepare a policy document on India’s soft power projections. In its report on 'India's Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy: Prospects & Limitations', the parliamentary panel on external affairs also said a formal study of international best practices of soft power projections should be done on a priority basis and the learnings from such a study must be factored in while formulating India’s strategy.

#Rajya Sabha passes Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022

#Rajya Sabha members pick holes in Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022

Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha on Monday picked holes in the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, saying it encroaches upon the jurisdiction of the Environment Ministry and the government should have brought the legislation after consultation through a standing committee of Parliament. The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha for passage on December 8, 2022 by Power Minister R K Singh. It seeks to promote the use of non-fossil fuels, including ethanol, green hydrogen and biomass. It is also aimed at helping the country achieve its international commitments on climate change.

#Parliament passes bill to promote non-fossil energy sources and carbon credit trading

A bill seeking to mandate the use of non-fossil energy sources such as biomass, ethanol and green hydrogen was passed by Parliament on Monday. The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was cleared in Rajya Sabha by a voice vote on Monday. Lok Sabha passed the legislation in the previous session in August this year. The bill provides for penalties for violations by industrial units or vessels, and on manufacturers if a vehicle fails to comply with fuel consumption norms.

#Good governance for us is vital: Kiren Rijiju

Delhi | Good governance for us is so vital, in the coming days we will table some bills for repelling obsolete laws, this is part of good governance practice. Many more things are coming for good governance: Union Law & Justice Minister, Kiren Rijiju pic.twitter.com/cpuURuBFLh

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2022

# RBI stopped printing the 2,000 rupee currency notes three years back. There is information that people have hoarded it and it is being used for terror funding, drug trafficking and black money, says BJP MP Sushil Modi

# No proposal to expand single-use plastic ban, govt informs Lok Sabha

# Number of lines for security check at IGI airport increased to 16, says Scindia

Another important decision taken today was regarding the security process. A total of 13 lines are in use presently at Delhi airport which we have increased to 16. We are also trying to add a few more lines taking it close to 20 lines, says Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

# Parliament adjourned till 2 PM.

# People make many claims on social media which aren't substantiated by facts. A senior MP here made a claim that 3000 political persons are raided so far. It's completely erroneous. No law gives immunity to elected representatives, says Union minister Piyush Goyal in Rajya Sabha.

# It is sad that some people in Parliament are jealous of the country's increasing economy. India has the fastest-growing economy but the opposition has a problem with it. Everyone should be proud of India's growth but some people take it as a joke, says Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha.

# The Indian rupee has been strong against every currency. Reserve Bank has used foreign exchange reserves that it has to intervene in the market to make sure that the Dollar-Rupee fluctuation does not go too much, says Sitharaman in Lok Sabha.

# Samajwadi Party's Dimple Yadav takes oath as Lok Sabha MP after getting elected from Mainpuri parliamentary seat.

Delhi | Samajwadi Party will raise many issues including inflation, employment opportunities for youth and the safety of women in Parliament: Dimple Yadav, MP pic.twitter.com/y8g8m9LPMg

— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2022

# Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda gives Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha to raise the matter of "Medical Bond Policy"

# YSRCP MP V Vijayasai Reddy gives Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over "rising incidents of blackmail and extortion by instant loan apps."

# Congress MP Manish Tewari gives Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha to discuss "the confrontation with the judiciary brought to the fore by recent statements made by various government and constitutional functionaries, including the Hon'ble Law Minister."

# BJP Parliamentary party meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday at Parliament Library Building in Delhi.

# Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy, RK Singh to move 'The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022' in the Rajya Sabha today to amend the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

The Lok Sabha has passed the bill.

# Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda to move 'The Constitution (SC and ST) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022' in Rajya Sabha to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 & the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (UP) Order, 1967.

The bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha.

First Published:Dec 12, 2022 9:21 AM IST