The Winter Session of Parliament started today. Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after obituary references. Rajya Sabha suspended scheduled business to take up discussion on demonetisation of currency. Members from across political parties raised their concerns about the various issues being face...
Blogs by PRS Legislative Research
The Ministry of Human Resource Development released the draft National Education Policy, 2016 in July this year. [1] The Ministry was receiving comments on the draft policy until the end of September 2016. In this context, we provide an overview of the proposed framework in the draft Policy to addre...
Earlier today, the Union Cabinet announced the merger of the Railways Budget with the Union Budget. All proposals under the Railways Budget will now be a part of the Union Budget. However, to ensure detailed scrutiny, the Ministry’s expenditure will be discussed in Parliament. Further, Railways will...
Earlier today, a Bill to raise maternity benefits was introduced and passed in Rajya Sabha. The Bill amends the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. The Act regulates the employment of women during the period of child birth, and provides maternity benefits. The Act applies to factory, mines, plantations, sh...
The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws and Miscellaneous Provisions (Amendment) Bill, 2016 is listed for discussion in Rajya Sabha today. [i] The Bill aims to expeditiously resolve cases of debt recovery by making amendments to four laws, including the (i) Recovery of Debts ...
Yesterday, the government circulated certain official amendments to the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 on GST. The Bill is currently pending in Rajya Sabha. The Bill was introduced and passed in Lok Sabha in May 2015. It was then referred to a Select Committee of Rajya Sabha which submitt...
The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Bill, 2016 was introduced and debated in the Bihar Legislative Assembly today. The Bill creates a framework for the levy of excise duty and imposes a prohibition on alcohol in Bihar. In this context, we examine key provisions and some issues related to the Bill. Proh...
A Bill to amend the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 was introduced and passed in Lok Sabha yesterday. The Bill makes amendments in relation to the declaration of assets of public servants, and will apply retrospectively. Declaration of assets under the Lokpal Act, 2013 The Lokpal Act, 2013 provides ...
Monsoon Session Day 8: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas (Amendment) Bill was introduced and passed in Lok Sabha today. The Bill replaces Section 44 of the Act, which required disclosures of assets by public servants. Further, it detailed the manner and timelines of such disclosures (such as disclosures to ...
Rajya Sabha saw repeated adjournments through the day due to protests over reported attacks on Dalits in Gujarat. In light of these protests, the Deputy Chairman informed the members that a discussion on the issue will be taken up tomorrow. Lok Sabha also saw protests on this issue. The Home Ministe...
Members in Rajya Sabha yesterday called the attention of the Minister on the situation arising due to floods in the country and the preventive measures taken by the government etc. During the debate members highlighted several issues like blockade of roadways in hilly areas, the need for better wate...
The Council of Minister was expanded today. 19 Members of Parliament were sworn in as Ministers of State. The table below is a snapshot of their activity in Parliament during the period of the current Lok Sabha, with the last row indicating the average for all Lok Sabha MPs. In the case of the six R...
The Union Cabinet approved the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations yesterday. The Commission was tasked with reviewing and proposing changes to the pay, pension and efficiency of government employees. These recommendations will apply to 33 lakh central government employees, in a...
Budget Session 2016 closed today, with Rajya Sabha adjourning sine die. Lok Sabha adjourned sine die previously on 11 May, 2016. Productivity for Lok Sabha stands at 121% while Rajya Sabha’s productivity stands at 91%. Productivity in this session has been the second highest for Lok Sabha. Rajya Sab...
Day 10, 6 May 2016 Private Member Business was taken up in both houses. Members in Lok Sabha called the attention of the Minister of Defence regarding the recent disclosure by the Court of Appeals, Milan, Italy on alleged irregularities in Augusta Westland Helicopter deal, 2013. Rajya Sabha conclude...
At noon today, the Finance Minister introduced a Bill in Parliament to address the issue of delayed debt recovery. The Bill amends four laws including the SARFAESI Act and the DRT Act, which are primarily used for recovery of outstanding loans. In this context, we examine the rise in NPAs in India a...
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 is listed for passage in Rajya Sabha today. Last week, Lok Sabha passed the Code with changes recommended by the Joint Parliamentary Committee that examined the Code. [1] , [2] We present answers to some of the frequently asked questions in relation to the In...
Yesterday, Members of Parliament in Lok Sabha discussed the situation of drought and drinking water crisis in many states. During the course of the discussion, some MPs also raised the issue of ground water depletion. Last month, the Bombay High Court passed an order to shift IPL matches scheduled f...
Members in Rajya Sabha today called the attention of the Minister of Home Affairs to the repeated incidents of violence against the cattle traders in various parts of the country. The Upper House also took up discussion on the Working of Ministry of Human Resource Development. Lok Sabha today passed...
Rajya Sabha today took up discussion on the allegations of bribery and corruption in Agusta Westland chopper deal. The Minister of Defence, Mr Manohar Parrikar replied at the end of the debate. The Upper House also passed the Anti Hijacking Bill, 2014. The Bill replaces the Anit Hijacking Act of 198...