The Monsoon Session of Parliament ended on August 31, 2010, after it was extended by two days. Though both Houses lost significant amount of time due to disruptions, they made up much of the lost time by sitting late and working for two extra days. Two Bills, the nuclear liability bill and the MP salary bill, saw significant public discussion. Parliament also discussed some issues of national importance such as price rise, commonwealth games, Bhopal gas tragedy, and the situation in Kashmir.
In this Session, the Parliament passed 21Bills and introduced 26 Bills. This wrap provides a comprehensive listing of all the Bills introduced, passed and pending at the end of this Monsoon Session.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die on August 31. Sittings of both the Houses were extended by two days. Issues related to inflation, flood and drought conditions, Commonwealth Games, Bhopal Gas Tragedy, protests in Kashmir, atrocities against SC/ST and illegal mining were also discussed besides legislative Bills. Several hours were lost due to interruptions the issues of inflation, petroleum price hike, Commonwealth Games and illegal mining. Both houses sat late on several days to make up for the lost time. Lok Sabha worked for 94% of the scheduled hours and Rajya Sabha for 100%.
The Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010 seeks to consolidate and amend the law relating to all direct taxes and will replace the Income Tax Act, 1961. The Bill removes tax exemptions, and lowers income, corporate, and wealth tax rates. The draft Bill was released for public discussion on August 12th, 2009 by the Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee. The Ministry released a revised discussion paper for feedback on June 15, 2010. The Direct Taxes Code, 2010 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 30, 2010. To read the Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010 click here.
Parliament meets for the Monsoon Session between July 26 and Auguat 27, 2010. There will be a total of 24 sittings. The agenda for government Bills includes 24 pending Bills for consideration and passing. Nine Bills, including four that replace Ordinances, are listed for introduction, consideration and passing. The government plans to introduce 26 new Bills and withdraw two Bills.
Introduced as part of the suite of Bills seeking to reform the higher education sector in the country, this Bill establishes Educational Tribunals at the national and state levels to expedite adjudication of disputes in the education sector. These include disputes involving teachers and other employees of higher education and other stakeholders such as students, universities (including foreign education providers) and statutory regulatory authorities.
The Prevention of Torture Bill introduced by the Minister for Home Affairs makes torture a punishable offence. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill states that the Bill is being introduced to ratify the UN Convention against Torture of 1975. India is a signatory of the Convention but has not enacted a law on torture which would enable it to ratify the Convention. The Bill defines torture and prescribes conditions under which torture is punishable.
The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2006 replaces the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976. This law regulates all grants, gifts and donations from non-Indian residents. The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on August 19, 2010. To see the Bill as passed by the Rajya Sabha click here. To see the 'Track Changes' version of the Original Bill click here. To see a comparison of the Original Bill and the Bill as passed by the Rajya Sabha click here.
The Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on April 27, 2010 by the Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Salman Kurshid. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on May 7, 2010 and is pending in the Rajya Sabha.The Bill seeks to amend the Wakf Act, 1995 that provides for administration of Wakfs. “Wakf” is defined as permanent dedication of property by a Muslim for any purpose recognized to be religious or charitable under Muslim law. The Bill changes the term “Wakfs” to “Auqaf”.
