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Rajya Sabha passes bill banning chemical weapons

The Rajya Sabha today passed the Chemical Weapons Convention Bill that provides for prohibition of development, production, stockpiling of chemical weapons and their destruction.

Chemicals and Fertiliser Minister Surjeet Singh Barnala, who piloted the bill, said the passing of the Chemical Weapons Convention Bill 1997 was part of the international obligation as India was one of the 65 signatory nations. The treaty was non-discriminatory unlike the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. It also made it obligatory on the part of the countries having chemical weapons to declare their stockpile and throw open their establishments to international inspection.

Initiating the discussion, K M Khan (Congress) supported the bill as it related to safety and security of mankind and concerned the entire globe. India, he said, believed in total peace and disarmament as chemicals, if used, would spell nothing but destruction. He also cautioned the government that India, as one of the 62 signatories to the convention, should tell whether or not Pakistan was a signatory. India, he said, having conducted the nuclear tests should concentrate on catering to the needs of basic necessities of the people.

UNI

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