PRS Legislative News Alert

October 01 - 15, 2008

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Latest from PRS



Monsoon Session Alert

Legislative Brief: Women's Reservation Bill
The Bill seeks to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.

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

Analysis 2008: RESULTS
Results of Analysis 2008 announced.

Legislative Brief: The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill,
The Bill creates a fund and an authority to manage the money collected as compensation fro diverted forest land.



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
Sep 1 - 15, 2008
Sep 16 - 30, 2008







Important Legislative News

Health Insurance may get new law
Business Standard , Oct 01

The government plans to amend the insurance law to include a special statue on health insurance.

Amendment to Apeda Act may delay protection of basmati rights
Financial Express, Oct 03


The amendment to the Apeda Act, proposed by the government seeks to equip the Agriculture and Processed Food Product Export Development Authority (Apeda) with the ability to register basmati under Geographical Indicators (GI). 

Cabinet nod for 12 central universities, quality madrasa education Indian Express, Oct 04

The Cabinet approved the establishment of twelve new central universities, while converting four state universities into central ones.

Govt may table insurance bill in next session of Parliament
Live Mint, Oct 05

The Insurance Bill aims to increase the Foreign Direct Investment cap in the private sector from 26% to 49%.

Cabinet approves enactment of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008
Press Information Bureau, Oct 08

The Cabinet approved the Schedule Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008 aiming to create a sound and reliable framework for the implementation of reservations in the central government services.

Amendment of Section 20 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882
Press Infomation Bureau, Oct 08

The Cabinet approved the amendment of Section 20 in the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 which concerns the investment of trust money. 

Right to education bill in final lap
The Economic Times, Oct 08

The Right to Education Bill following its examination by the Group of Ministers is now being sent to the Cabinet for approval.  The Bill promises free education to children in the age group of 6 to 14.   

Amended Bill to deal with cases of corruption in higher judiciary
Indian Express, Oct 09

The government will table a new version of the Judges (Inquiry) Bill in the upcoming Parliament session.  The new Bill seeks to establish a National Judicial Council (NIC) for the purpose of investigating allegations of corruption or misbehaviour against Supreme Court Judges.  The Judges (Inquiry) Bill, 2006 will be withdrawn. 

Centre to take LIC Act changes out of Insurance Reform Bill’s ambit
Financial Express, Oct 10

The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2006 to be introduced in the upcoming Parliament session will not include proposed changes to the Life Insurance Corporation of India Act, 1956.  Instead it shall only include amendments to the Insurance Act of 1938, Act of 1972 and the IRDA Act of 1999. 

New born challenges
DNA, Oct 12

A new Bill, governing the legal practice of commercial surrogacy will be tabled in forthcoming Parliament session.  The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill & Rules, 2008 seeks to provide a framework through which the practice can be monitored. 

Centre open to challenges in anti-terror law, but not to POTA
The Economic Times, Oct 12

The government, at the meeting of the National Integration Council (NIC), restated its aversion to a new anti-terror law, but said it was open to amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. 

Govt to amend MMDR Act for competitive bidding coal blocks
Live Mint, Oct 14

The government seeks amend the Minerals and Metals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957 to introduce competitive bidding for the allocation of coal blocks. 

Bill on foreign education providers to see light of day
PTI, Oct 14

The centre has decided to introduce the Foreign Educational Institutions (Regulation of Entry and Operations, Maintenance of Quality and Prevention of Commercialisation) Bill 2007 in the forthcoming Parliament session. 

Parliament session to be short
The Economic Times, Oct 15
 

With state polls beginning on November 14, forthcoming Parliament session may be cut short.  Parliament was originally scheduled to take place from October 17 to November 21