Parliament Roundup : Key Legislations Of 2019

Here is a recap of key legislative exercises of Parliament in 2019. 16th Lok Sabha Session The first phase was comprised by latter days of winter session of the 16th Lok Sabha, which concluded on January 9. The second phase was the budget session, held between January 31 and February 13. During this duration, two important legislations were passed, being: 1. Constitution Amendment to provide reservation to "Economically Weaker Sections" of society The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 was passed by the Parliament on January 9, the last day of the winter session. It came into force on January 14. The Act provides reservation of up to 10% to general category candidates belonging to "economically weaker sections", in educational institutions and public employment, by amending Article 15 of the Constitution. It stipulates that general category candidates belonging to families having income less than Rs. 8 lakh and qualifying other indicators of economic disadvantage, such as property ownership, etc., may avail the benefit of such reservation. Such reservation does not apply to minority educational institutions. The Act has been under the judicial scanner after PILs challenging it were filed before the Supreme Court. The Act has also been challenged before the Madras High Court. Click here to read the Act. Click here to read instructions for implementation of EWS quota in services 2. Bill to remove Leprosy as a ground for Divorce The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was cleared by the Parliament on February 13 and it came into force on February 21, to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce. To this end, it amends five Acts: (i) the Divorce Act, 1869, (ii) the Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939, (iii) the Special Marriage Act, 1954, (iv) the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, and (v) the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956. 17th Lok Sabha Session The next two phases were Monsoon and Winter Session of the 17th Lok Sabha. The Monsoon Session was held between June 17 and August 7 whereby the Modi government 2.0 passed the highest number of bills in 10 years. Similarly, the Winter Session was held between November 18 and December 13 and it witnessed 111% productivity in the Lok Sabha and 92% productivity in the Rajya Sabha. The key legislations that were passed are: 1. Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2019 The contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, which seeks to amend the Citizenship Act 1955, was passed during the Winter Session of Parliament on December 10. The Bill seeks to relax conditions for acquiring citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. It provides that Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, Jains and Christians who migrated to India without travel documents from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014 will not be regarded as illegal migrants, if they establish their residency in India for five years instead of existing eleven years. Ever since its introduction, the Bill has faced backlash in the form of protests and public furore. It has been challenged in the Supreme Court and is likely to be taken up in mid-January. Click here to read the Bill. A critical comment on the bill may be read here. Click here to read petition filed in Supreme Court seeking implementation of the Bill and action against protestors. 2. Bill To Bifurcate Jammu & Kashmir into Union Territories Of J&K And Ladakh The Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganization) Bill, 2019 was passed by the Parliament during its Monsoon Session. It came into force on October 31, thereby splitting the state of J&K into Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. Both the UTs have been put under President's administration through a Lieutenant-Governor appointed by him. The Act repeals 153 state laws and contains a schedule of 106 central laws that now apply to the UTs. In addition, 166 state laws will remain in force, and seven laws will be applicable with amendments. These amendments include eliminating prohibitions on lease of land to persons who are not permanent residents of J&K. Further, the High Court of J&K will now become the common high court for both the UTs. Click here to read the salient features of the Act. The Bill however did not go down well with the citizens and has been put to challenge before a constitution Bench of the Supreme Court. A critical comment on the Act may be read here. Click here to read on other states having special provisions under the Constitution. 3. Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 The Bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha on August 5, during its monsoon session, and by the Rajya Sabha on November 26, during the winter session. It is aimed at protecting the rights of transgender persons by granting them recognition and making welfare provisions for...

Parliament Roundup : Key Legislations Of 2019

Akshita Saxena

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