PRS Legislative News Alert

April 1-15, 2009

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Latest from PRS


Vital Stats: Debates on Local Issues
A background on the extent to which MPs have raised local issues in Parliament during 14th Lok Sabha.

14th Lok Sabha: Legislative Summary
List of Bills introduced, passed during 14th Lok Sabha; pending and lapsed at the end of its term.

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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
Feb 16 - 28, 2009
Mar 1 - 15, 2009
Mar 16 - 31, 2009







Important Legislative News

Indian elections: Millions of voters, gallons of ink
Hindustan Times, April 7

The article gives some interesting facts and figures about the world’s largest democratic exercise i.e. the Indian election that begins on April 16, 2009.

Campaigns urge youth to wake up and vote for honest leaders
Hindustan Times, April 13

With a number of campaigns exhorting Indian voters to exercise their right to vote, there might be some increase in voter turnout in the coming elections.  These campaigns are focussing largely on new voters.

The Lok Sabha has become older, but is it wiser too?
Mint, April 13


According to data on the age and educational qualifications provided by PRS Legislative Research, the percentage of young members of Parliament (MPs, in the age group of 25-40) has gone down sharply from 25.8% in the first Lok Sabha to 6.3% in the 14th Lok Sabha (the outgoing one).

Bihar tops list of LS candidates facing criminal charges
Indian Express, April 14

As per data for Lok Sabha candidates facing criminal charges, Bihar tops the list with 51 out of 200 candidates having criminal charges.  Uttar Pradesh is a close second while Maharashtra comes third in the list.

Politicians and their wealth
Mint, April 14

The article points out that declaration of assets by candidates are not sufficient to ensure transparency.  The question that needs to be addressed is how he earned that wealth.

EC gags media on poll coverage
Times of India, April 15

The Election Commission has directed the electronic media to not telecast anything which can influence voters in areas where elections are to take place, in the 48 hours preceding voting.

On debut, inheritors fell short of national performance average
Mint, April 15

According to data provided by PRS Legislative Research, around one in 15 MPs in the Lok Sabha are first timers from political families whose close family members are, or have been, politicians.

Unethical clinical trials may invite painful penalty
Economic Times, April 15

The government is likely to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to slap up to 10 years’ imprisonment and cancellation of licence for violating norms for testing drugs on humans in India.

President calls for anti-ragging law
Indian Express, April 15

The President has asked the state governments to consider appropriate legislation to tackle the menace of ragging on the college and university premises in order to provide credible deterrence.

   

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