PRS Legislative News Alert

February 16 - 28, 2009

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Latest from PRS


Legislative Brief: The Companies Bill, 2008
The Bill shifts the onus of regulation and oversight over management away from the government and towards shareholders.

Parliament Session Wrap:  Budget 2009
Full list and brief description of all Bills introduced, passed, and pending in Parliament.

Plan vs. Performance: Budget 2009
Comparison on actual legislative business transacted vs. original plan.


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
Dec 1 - 15, 2008
Dec 16 - 31, 2008
Jan 1 - 15, 2009
Jan 16 - 31, 2009
Feb 1 - 15, 2009







Important Legislative News

Bill for setting up Central universities introduced in LS
Business Line, Feb 17

The Central Universities Bill, 2009, introduced in the Lok Sabha, aims to create one new Central University each in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

Bill to extend ban on sealing moved in LS
Times of India, Feb 18

The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Special Provisions) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha which seeks to put on hold the sealing orders against unauthorised commercial premises and colonies in the city.

EC bans exit poll results till last phase
Business Standard, Feb 18


Acting on a recent order of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission imposed restrictions on the dissemination of exit poll or opinion poll results during the voting for 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

Panel suggests several changes to right to education bill
Times of India, Feb 19

Recommending a series of changes in the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008, the Standing Committee on Human Resource Development stated that formula of funding pattern between Centre and states needs to be finalised and made part of the bill.  

Official Amendments to ‘The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008”
Press Information Bureau, Feb 23

Keeping in view the recommendations of the standing committee, the Cabinet approved the official amendments to the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008.

Bill empowering govt to fix capital of SBI subsidiary in LS
Economic Times, Feb 24

The SBI (Subsidiary Banks Laws) Amendment Bill 2009, introduced in the Lok Sabha, seeks to empower the government to fix the authorised or the issued capital of a subsidiary of the State Bank of India or to appoint its top officials.

Bill for pvt trusts to invest in securities introduced in LS
Live Mint, Feb 24

The Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill, 2009 seeks to provide greater autonomy and flexibility to private trusts to invest their money in securities.  It also allows the government to notify a class of securities in which money belonging to private trusts could be invested. 

Govt to push for LS nod to land acquisition Bill today
Indian Express, Feb 25

In a rush to get the Bills cleared by the Lok Sabha, a Group of Ministers headed by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar cleared amendments to the Land Acquisition Act and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2007.

Land & rehab bills passed by LS dead as RS fails to clear them

Economic Times, Feb 27

Although the Lok Sabha passed the Bills, the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill, 2007 and the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2007, could not be tabled in the Rajya Sabha because of stiff resistance from the BJP and the Left.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die
Press Information Bureau, Feb 27

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die on February 26, 2009.  During the Session 17 Bills (15 in Lok Sabha and 2 in Rajya Sabha) were introduced.  Lok Sabha passed 22 Bills and Rajya Sabha passed 16 Bills.