Both the Offshore Areas Minerals Development and Regulation Amendment (OAMDR) Bill, 2023 and the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Bill were approved by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. While the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 will provide a fixed 50-year production lease for offshore minerals, the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 will replace the current legislation that governs the registration of the print and publishing industry in the nation.
The Delhi Services Bill, also known as The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was approved by the Lok Sabha in the meantime. Following the bill’s passing, a number of opposition MPs left the chamber. The Bill will give Delhi’s LG control over the management, posting, and transfer of personnel inside the capital district.
The Rajya Sabha will now take up this measure for discussion. The Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867, is being replaced with the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Bill. The PRP Bill, which eliminates the potential for publishers to be prosecuted and imprisoned and simplifies the registration process for periodicals, was adopted by the Union Cabinet last month. The Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023 introduces auction as the mechanism for allocating operating rights in the offshore areas, bringing about a significant reform.
“The private sector will bring the expertise and technology necessary to explore and mine the mineral resources present in the EEZ,” it was noted. India must fully utilize its maritime resources if it hopes to become an economy with strong development. Following the bill’s passing, the Ministry of Mines released a statement emphasizing the importance of encouraging both public and private sector participation in order to fully utilize these maritime resources.
 Bill, 2023, which aims to ease business by decriminalising small infractions, was approved........){kind=link}