Parliament Monsoon Session 2021: Centre Proposes To Pass 23 Bills In Lok Sabha

The Centre on Monday released a list of Government Business expected to be taken up during the Monsoon Session of 17th Lok Sabha, slated to commence from July 19. It proposes to move the following 23 bills for consideration and passing: Tribunal Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2021 Introduced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 13 during the 2021 Budget Session, the Bill seeks to dissolve certain existing appellate bodies and transfer their functions to other existing judicial bodies. An Ordinance to effect of the Bill was promulgated by the Centre on April 5, 2021. Interestingly, the Bill also seeks to reduce the term of Tribunal members to 4 years. However, this provision was struck off by the Supreme Court yesterday, so far as the Ordinance is concerned. The Top Court has observed that this term violates the express direction given in an earlier judgment that the term of tribunal members should be 5 years. DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019 Introduced by then Union Science and Technology Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on July 8, 2019, the Bill provides for regulation of use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of certain persons. It is identical to the 2018 Bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha in January 2019, but lapsed. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests for further scrutiny in October 2019. Its report was tabled in the Lok Sabha on February 3, 2021. Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020 This Bill seeks to regulate Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) services in the country by regulation of ART clinics and banks, prescribing conditions for gamete donation and supply, prescribing rights of a child born through ART, etc. It proposes to criminalize (i) abandoning/ exploiting of children born through ART, (ii) trading/ importing human embryos, (iii) using intermediates to obtain donors, (iv) transferring human embryo into a male or an animal. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on September 14, 2020 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare on October 3, 2020. The Committee's report was tabled in the Lok Sabha on March 19, 2021. Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019 This Bill seeks to bring step-children, adoptive children, children-in-law, and legal guardians of minor children under the definition of children for the purpose of Senior Citizens Act, 2007. It also provides that children and relatives may also appeal decisions of the Tribunal apart from senior citizens. This will clear the cloud that was formed in view of conflicting decisions rendered a few High Courts on this aspect. The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 11, 2019 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment on December 23, 2019. The Committee's report was tabled in the Lok Sabha on January 29, 2021. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2021 This bill proposes pre-packaged insolvency resolution process for corporate debtors classified as micro, small or medium enterprises under the MSME Development Act, 2006. As per the Government, this will ensure "quicker, cost-effective and value maximising outcomes for all the stakeholders, in a manner which is least disruptive to the continuity of their businesses and which preserves jobs". An Ordinance to the Bill's effect was promulgated by the President on April 4, 2021. Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Bill, 2021 The Bill seeks to provide a permanent solution and establish a self-regulated, democratically monitored mechanism for tackling air pollution in the NCR and adjoining areas, rather than limited ad-hoc measures. It also seeks to set-up a Commission for Air Quality Management in order to streamline public participation, inter-State co-operation, expert involvement and persistent research and innovation. In the past few years, the Delhi High Court and Supreme Court have issued slew of directions to tackle Delhi NCR's persistent problem of air pollution. Based on Centre's assurance that it was coming up with such a legislative exercise, the Top Court had kept in abeyance its earlier order appointing retired SC judge Justice MB Lokur as the head of a Committee to monitor the situation. Following this, an Ordinance in this regard was promulgated by the President on October 28, 2020. The instant Bill will replace this Ordinance. Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 The Bill proposes: (i) de-licensing of the distribution business for increased competition, (ii) appointment of member from law background in every Commission for strengthening of APTEL (iii) penalty for non-compliance of RPO, (iv) Rights and Duties of Consumers. ...

Parliament Monsoon Session 2021: Centre Proposes To Pass 23 Bills In Lok Sabha

Akshita Saxena

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