The 2022 Winter Session of Indian Parliament on Monday saw the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 passed by Rajya Sabha..Questions were answered regarding pendency and vacancies at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and cases by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against public representatives..The Rajya Sabha passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which mandates use of non-fossil energy sources and carbon credit trading.The Bill was introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3 and August 8 this year, respectively. It will amend the Energy Conservation Act of 2001. The Act empowers the Central government to specify energy consumption standards. The Bill adds that the government may require designated consumers to meet a minimum share of energy consumption from non-fossil sources. It also empowers the Central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme. Carbon credit implies a tradeable permit to produce a specified amount of carbon emissions. The Centre or any authorised agency may issue carbon credit certificates to entities registered under and compliant with the scheme. Under the Act, the energy consumption standards may be specified for equipment and appliances which consume, generate, transmit, or supply energy. The Bill expands its scope to include vehicles (as defined under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988), and vessels (includes ships and boats)..Trinamool Congress MP Mala Roy sought to know from the Ministry of Finance details of MPs, MLAs and MLCs against whom cases have been registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during each of the last five years.However, the Ministry said that data of cases based on political parties was not maintained, as ED takes up cases for investigation based on credible evidence and not based on political affiliations of the accused."ED takes up the cases for investigation based on credible evidence/material and does not distinguish cases based on political affiliations or status of the accused. Thus, no such data is maintained," the reply stated..In reply to a question to the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs, it was revealed that as on October 31, 2022, 12,871 cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) are pending before the NCLTs. The pendency was 13,211 on December 31, 2021 and 13,512 on December 31, 2020.On the steps being taken to address the pendency figures, the reply stated,"To enable the NCLT in timely disposal of cases, the Government is taking all the necessary steps from time to time including regular appointment of Members and provision of adequate physical infrastructure. Government has appointed 20 new Members in NCLT in 2021, approved appointment of 15 new Members in 2022 and initiated the process for other vacancies.".Congress MP Manish Tewari sought year-wise data of cases resolved and the average time taken for resolution under the IBC since its inception. The following table provides the data:.It was also stated that at present, 1 President and 37 members (18 judicial and 19 technical) are in office against the sanctioned strength of 1 President and 62 members (31 judicial and 31 technical). 20 Members were appointed in 2021. 15 candidates have been approved for appointment as members in 2022, out of which 10 have already joined NCLT. For other vacancies also, the process has been initiated, the government replied.
The 2022 Winter Session of Indian Parliament on Monday saw the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 passed by Rajya Sabha..Questions were answered regarding pendency and vacancies at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and cases by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against public representatives..The Rajya Sabha passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which mandates use of non-fossil energy sources and carbon credit trading.The Bill was introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha on August 3 and August 8 this year, respectively. It will amend the Energy Conservation Act of 2001. The Act empowers the Central government to specify energy consumption standards. The Bill adds that the government may require designated consumers to meet a minimum share of energy consumption from non-fossil sources. It also empowers the Central government to specify a carbon credit trading scheme. Carbon credit implies a tradeable permit to produce a specified amount of carbon emissions. The Centre or any authorised agency may issue carbon credit certificates to entities registered under and compliant with the scheme. Under the Act, the energy consumption standards may be specified for equipment and appliances which consume, generate, transmit, or supply energy. The Bill expands its scope to include vehicles (as defined under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988), and vessels (includes ships and boats)..Trinamool Congress MP Mala Roy sought to know from the Ministry of Finance details of MPs, MLAs and MLCs against whom cases have been registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) during each of the last five years.However, the Ministry said that data of cases based on political parties was not maintained, as ED takes up cases for investigation based on credible evidence and not based on political affiliations of the accused."ED takes up the cases for investigation based on credible evidence/material and does not distinguish cases based on political affiliations or status of the accused. Thus, no such data is maintained," the reply stated..In reply to a question to the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs, it was revealed that as on October 31, 2022, 12,871 cases under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) are pending before the NCLTs. The pendency was 13,211 on December 31, 2021 and 13,512 on December 31, 2020.On the steps being taken to address the pendency figures, the reply stated,"To enable the NCLT in timely disposal of cases, the Government is taking all the necessary steps from time to time including regular appointment of Members and provision of adequate physical infrastructure. Government has appointed 20 new Members in NCLT in 2021, approved appointment of 15 new Members in 2022 and initiated the process for other vacancies.".Congress MP Manish Tewari sought year-wise data of cases resolved and the average time taken for resolution under the IBC since its inception. The following table provides the data:.It was also stated that at present, 1 President and 37 members (18 judicial and 19 technical) are in office against the sanctioned strength of 1 President and 62 members (31 judicial and 31 technical). 20 Members were appointed in 2021. 15 candidates have been approved for appointment as members in 2022, out of which 10 have already joined NCLT. For other vacancies also, the process has been initiated, the government replied.
