PRS Legislative News Alert

December 1 - 15, 2008

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Latest from PRS


Legislative Brief: The Representation of the People (Second Amendment) Bill, 2008
The Bill seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Representation of the People Act, 1951


The Central Universities Bill, 2008
Introduced in Lok Sabha on Oct 23, 2008.

The Companies Bill, 2008
Introduced in Lok Sabha on Oct 23, 2008.




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
Oct 1 - 15, 2008
Oct 16 - 31, 2008
Nov 1 - 15, 2008
Nov 16 - 30, 2008







Important Legislative News

Companies Bill attempts an overhaul, several new concepts
Live Mint, Dec 1

The Companies Bill lays down a framework for far reaching changes.  However, with elections around the corner, the fate of the Bill is uncertain.

Govt to take constitution route to roll out FIA
Business Standard, Dec 2

The government plans to bring a constitutional amendment Bill to create a Federal Investigative Agency. The Veerappa Moily-led Administrative Reforms Commission had advocated a similar agency for dealing with cases with inter state and national ramifications. 

Amendment of Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Press Information Bureau, Dec 4


The government plans to introduce the Legal Services Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2008 to provide free legal aid to senior citizens whose income is upto Rs 1.20 lakh per annum and dependent family members of Defence Forces personnel and para-military forces.  

Parliament session begins today
Business Standard, Dec 10

The Parliament session began on December 10, 2008.  The government is likely to introduce the Insurance Bill, which aims to raise the cap on foreign direct investment in the insurance sector from 26 per cent to 49 per cent.

Seven labour Bills await Parliament nod
Business Standard, Dec 10

Seven Bills initiated by the labour ministry are awaiting Parliament’s nod, but only the Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Bill has been listed for the House session.  The pending Bills include the Factories Act, 1948, the Plantation Labour Act, 1951 and the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923.

FE Editorial : Zero hours
Financial Express, Dec 11

The article examines the work of the political classes in Parliament.  It points out only 20% of the Lok Sabha’s time is spent on legislation and an even smaller proportion on questions.

Bill on free and compulsory education introduced in RS
Times of India, Dec 15

The government introduced the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008 which seeks to provide for free and compulsory education to all children between 6-14 years.