PRS Legislative News Alert

September 1 - 15, 2008

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Latest from PRS


Vital Stats: Public Accounts Committee 
On the working of the Public Accounts Committee.

Analysis 2008: Results 
Results of Analysis 2008 announced.






Previous Alerts

April 1 - 15, 2008
April 16 - 30, 2008
May 1 - 15, 2008
May 16 - 31, 2008
June 1 - 15, 2008
June 16 - 30, 2008
July 1 - 15, 2008
July 16 - 31, 2008
Aug 1 - 15, 2008
Aug 16 - 31, 2008







Important Legislative News

Rules governing payment & settlement system come into effect
Economic Times, Sep 1


The Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 and the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008 have been notified and have come into effect from August 12, 2008.  The Act stipulates that no person other than the Reserve Bank shall operate a payment system except under authorisation from the regulator.

Companies Bill proposes strict IPO norms
Times of India, Sep 1


The Companies Bill, 2008 has proposed stricter penalties on defaulters and makes many offences non-compoundable, in order to deter companies from engaging in fraudulent activities.

Soon, a law on promoting hygiene
Times of India, Sep 2


The government may introduce the Public Health (Prevention, Control and Management of Epidemics, Bio-terrorism and Disasters) Bill, 2008, in order to improve India’s preparedness in combating a public health emergency like an epidemic or a bio-terrorism attack.

GoM for 49% insurance FDI
Economic Times, Sep 3


The Group of Ministers finalised recommendations on the Insurance Amendment Bill aimed at raising the foreign direct investment cap from 26% to 49%.  The Bill will now be sent to the Cabinet for approval.

Centre plans stringent terror laws
Economic Times, Sep 5


The UPA government is mulling the option of strengthening the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2004, possibly with the insertion of stricter bail provisions.

Draft regulation on surrogacy in two months for public debate
Live Mint, Sep 7


An interview with Union Health Minister, Ambumani Ramadoss who stated that his ministry is planning to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and introduce a law to regulate surrogacy.

Metro expansion Bill caught in turf war
Business Standard, Sep 10

The Delhi Metro Rail Amendment Bill, 2008 for the expansion of metro rail network in the National Capital Region may not be introduced in the next Parliament session as it is caught in a turf war between the railways and the urban development ministry.

The who, when, why and how
Indian Express, Sep 12

The article discusses the changes proposed in the Judges (Inquiry) Bill with regard to the process of removing a judge from office.

Nod to Bill to ensure better quality data
Business Standard, Sep 12

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Collection of Statistics Bill, 2007, which is pending before the Rajya Sabha.  The Bill replaces the 1953 Act and strengthens the data collection method.

New law for removing time limit on dividend claim
Economic Times, Sep 15

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Collection of Statistics Bill, 2007, which is pending before the Rajya Sabha.  The Bill replaces the 1953 Act and strengthens the data collection method.