(i) Intoduced in Rajya Sabha on Nov. 25, 2009 (ii) Passed in Rajya Sabha Augist 09, 2010 (iii) Notified in Gazette August 19, 2010

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(i) Intoduced in Rajya Sabha on Nov. 25, 2009 (ii) Passed in Rajya Sabha Augist 09, 2010 (iii) Notified in Gazette August 19, 2010

                         As Introduced   As Passed by Rajya Sabha  Passed by Both Houses (attached)

The Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 was enacted to provide for the development and regulation of foreign trade by facilitating imports into and augmenting exports from India and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. 2. Since the enactment of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, certain requirements have arisen necessitating amendments to the said Act. These include providing a statutory provision for safeguard measures enabling imposition of Quantitative Restrictions (QRs); bringing in tighter export or trade control in the case of dual-use goods and related technologies and providing enabling provisions for establishing controls as inthe Weapon of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005; bringing “technology” and “services”, including financial services, within the ambit of the Act for the purpose of administering incentive schemes and other provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy; dispensing with the requirement of obtaining any licence or permit for import or export except as may be provided under the Act; enabling swift and exemplary action in trade dispute matters; further rationalisation as well as improvement of the system of levying and realising fiscal penalties; empowering Customs and Central Excise Settlement Commission for settlement of customs and excise duty and interest dues; broadening the scope of word “licence” defined in the Act; providing a provision for review of all decisions of subordinate officers by Director General of Foreign Trade. The proposed amendments would enable the Government to impose quantitative restrictions as a safeguard measure to provide the domestic industry a level playing field, in case a surge in imports leads to, or threatens to seriously injure domestic industry; rationalize the system of penalty leviable under the Act making it more equitable; enable stricter regulation of export in technology, especially relating to dual-use items, which is necessary to instill a sense of confidence among the technology providers and to ensure that trade in sensitive technologies including dual-use technologies is appropriately regulated; ensure conformity with the provisions of the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005. The provision of notifying all restrictions on imports and exports through the Foreign Trade Policy would ensure that all such information is available at one place therefore ensuring conformity with India’s commitments to WTO. The power of review would ensure transparency and public accountability in the system. The amendments would also ensure that trade in sensitive technologies is regulated, additional modes for recovery of penalty are available and India’sgrowing trade in services is facilitated. The Bill seeks to achieve these objectives

(i) Introduced in Rajya Sabha on May 7, 2012 (ii) Passed in Rajya Sabha on August 13, 2013 

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(i) Introduced in Rajya Sabha on May 7, 2012 (ii) Passed in Rajya Sabha on August 13, 2013 

                                                             As Introduced    

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2012 seeks to amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969) so as to provide for registration of marriages irrespective of religion professed and practiced by the parties to the marriage. At present the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 provides only for the regulation of registration of births and deaths and for matters connected therewith. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in Seema Vs. Ashwani Kumar (AIR 2006 SC 1158) in its judgment dated 14-02-2006 has directed the Government that marriages of all persons who are citizens of India belonging to various religious denominations should be made compulsorily registrable in their respective States where such marriages are solemnised and, inter alia, directed that as and when the Central Government enacts a comprehensive statute, the same shall be placed before that Court for scrutiny. The Committee on Empowerment of Women (2006-2007) in its Twelfth Report (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) on Plight of Indian Women Deserted by Non Resident Indian (NRI) Husbands presented to Lok Sabha on the 13th August, 2007, has, inter alia, expressed the view that all marriages, irrespective of religion should be compulsorily registered and desired that the Government to make registration of all marriages mandatory, making the procedure simpler, affordable and accessible. The 18th Law Commission of India in its 205th Report titled “Proposal to Amend the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 and other Allied Laws”, inter alia, recommended that “registration of marriages within a stipulated period, of all the communities, viz. Hindu, Muslim, Christian, etc., should be made mandatory by the Government”. Further, the 18th Law Commission in its 211th Report titled “Laws on Registration of Marriage and Divorce. A proposal for Consolidation and Reform”, has recommended for Parliamentary legislation on compulsory registration of marriages which will bring country-wide uniformity in thesubstantive law relating to registration and will be helpful in achieving the desired goal. The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, inter alia, provides for Registration establishments consisting of Registrar-General, Chief Registrar and registration division, District Registrars and Registrars. It also provides procedures for registration of births and deaths and for maintenance of records and statistics. Further, by virtue of the powers conferred under section 30 of the aforesaid Act, rules for compulsory registration of births and deaths have been framed by the State Governments and Union territory Administrations. Therefore, it is proposed to amend the aforesaid Act suitably to include registration of marriages as well within its scope so that the existing administrative machinery would also be able to carry out registration of marriages in accordance with the specified procedures andbe able to maintain necessary records and statistics for registration of marriages also. 

(i) Introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 29, 2013 

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(i) Introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 29, 2013 

                                                              As Introduced 

The Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President under clause (2) of article 124 of the Constitution while the Judges of the High Courts are appointed by the President under clause (1) of article 217 of the Constitution. The President is required to hold consultation with such of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts in the States as he may deem necessary for the purpose. However, every Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State and, in the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court. 2. The transfer of Judges from one High Court to another High Court is made by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India under clause (1) of article 222 of the Constitution. 3. As regards the appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, the Supreme Court, in the matters of the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association Vs. Union of India and its Advisory Opinion 1998 in Third Judges case, had interpreted articles 124(2) and 217(1) of the Constitution with respect to the meaning of “consultation” as “concurrence”. It was also held that the consultation of the Chief Justice of India means collegium consisting of the Chief Justice and two or four Judges, as the case may be. This has resulted in a Memorandum of Procedure laying down the process which is being presently followed for appointment of Judges to both the High Courts and the Supreme Court. The Memorandum of Procedure confers upon the Judiciary itself the power for appointment of Judges. 4. After review of the pronouncements of the Supreme Court and relevant constitutional provisions, it was felt that a broad based Judicial Appointment Commission could be established for making recommendations for selection of Judges. It would provide a meaningful role to the executive and judiciary to present their view points and make the participants accountable while introducing transparency in the selection process. 5. Thus, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twentieth Amendment) Bill, 2013 proposes to insert a new article 124A to constitute a Judicial Appointments Commission for making recommendations with respect to the appointment of Judges in Higher Judiciary. 6. The proposed Bill would enable equal participation of Judiciary and Executive in appointment of Judges in higher judiciary and make the system of appointments more accountable and thereby increase the confidence of the public in the institution of judiciary 

(i) Introduced in Lok Sabha 03/09/2012 (ii) Passed in Lok Sabha 06/09/2013   (iii) Passed by Rajya Sabha 07/09/2013 (iv) Notified in Gazette..

(i) Introduced in Lok Sabha 03/09/2012 (ii) Passed in Lok Sabha 06/09/2013   (iii) Passed by Rajya Sabha 07/09/2013 (iv) Notified in Gazette 18/09/2013    

                      As Introduced in Lok Sabha               Errata             Act 25 of 2013

Elimination of dry latrines and manual scavenging and the rehabilitation of manual scavengers in alternate occupations has been an area of high priority for the Government. Despite the concerted efforts made in the past to eliminate the dehumanising practice of manual scavenging, the practice still persists in various parts of the country. Existing laws have not proved adequate in eliminating the twin evils of insanitary latrines and manual scavenging. These evils are inconsistent with the right to live with dignity which is an essence of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution. Further, there is a related problem of serious health hazard and safety of the workers employed in themanual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks. It is also felt that the existing laws are not stringent enough to eliminate these evil practices. In view of the above, there is a need to make comprehensive and stringent provisions for the prohibition of insanitary latrines and employment of persons as manual scavengers, rehabilitation of manual scavengers and their families and to discontinue the hazardousmanual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks by the use of technology and for matters connected therewtih. With a view to eliminate manual scavenging and insanitary latrines and to provide for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers, a multi-pronged strategy has been worked out inthe provisions of the Bill, which consists of legislative as well as programmatic interventions. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives. 

(i) Introduced in Lok Sabha on March 19, 2013 (ii) Passed in Lok Sabha March 19, 2013 (iii) Passed in Rajya Sabha March 21March, 2013 (iv) Gazette Notification April2, 2013 

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     As Introduced                                      Errata                                                Act 13 of 2013 

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 4th December, 2012 in order to provide for stringent punishment for crimes against women, as also to provide for more victim friendly procedures in the trials of such cases. After the horrendous incident of gang rape, which occurred on 16th December, 2012 in Delhi, a Committee, headed by Justice J. S. Verma was set up to make recommendations on amending the various laws to provide for speedy justice and enhanced punishment for offenders in cases of sexual assault of extreme nature. The Justice Verme Committee submitted its Report on 23rd January, 2013. 2. It was felt necessary to bring the revised laws into effect as soon as possible, as any crime against women committed during the period when the law is in making will be punishable only under the existing laws. In view of the urgency of the matter, the Criminal Law(Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was promulgated on 3rd February, 2013. 3. The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs examined the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012 and tabled its Report in Parliament on 1st March, 2013. Keeping in view the recommendations of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, the recommendations of Justice Verma Committee and the views and comments received from various quarters including women groups, the Government have drafted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013. 4. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2103 seeks to amend the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. These amendments seek to:— (a) make specific provisions for punishment for the offences of causing grievous hurt by acid attack and also for an attempt thereof; (b) define and prescribe punishment for the offences of stalking, voyeurism and sexual harassment; (c) widen the definition of rape; broaden the ambit of aggravated rape; and enhance the punishment thereof; (d) prescribe for punishment extending to the sentence of death, for an offence where in the course of commission of an offence of rape, the offender inflicts any injury which causes the death of the victim or causes the victim to be in a persistentvegetative state; (e) punish the repeat offenders of rape with imprisonment for life (which shall mean the remainder of the person’s natural life), or with death; (f) prescribe that those convicted for the offence of gang rape shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of twenty years extendable to life (whichshall mean the remainder of that person’s natural life) and fine; to be paid to the victim to meet the medical expenses;

(I) Introduced in Lok Sabha March 15, 2013 (ii) PAssed in Lok Sabha March 15, 2013 (iii) Passed in Rajya Sabha March 21, 2013 (iv) Gazette Notification on MArch 22, 2013. 

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(I) Introduced in Lok Sabha March 15, 2013 (ii) PAssed in Lok Sabha March 15, 2013 (iii) Passed in Rajya Sabha March 21, 2013 (iv) Gazette Notification on MArch 22, 2013. 

                                                       As Introduced       Act 11 of 2013

This Bill is introduced in pursuance of articles 204 (1) and 206 of the Constitution of India, read with the Proclamation issued under article 356 of the Constitution in respect of the State of Jharkhand on 18th January, 2013 to provide for the appropriation out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Jharkhand of the moneys required to meet the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State of Jharkhand and the grants made by the Lok Sabha for expenditure of the Government of Jharkhand for financial year 2013-14.

(i) Introduced in Lok Sabha on Feb. 13, 2014 (ii) Passed in Lok Sabha Feb 18, 2014 (iii) Passed in Rajya Sabha Feb., 20, 2014

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                        As Introduced                            Errata                               Act 6 of 2014

Object and Reasons: The creation of a separate State of Telangana for the betterment of the social, economic, political and other aspirations of the people of that region has been a long standing demand. Pursuant thereto, the Government of India on 9th December, 2009 announced that the process for formation of a separate State of Telangana would be initiated. After wide-ranging consultations on 3rd October, 2013, the Government of India decided to bifurcate the existing State of Andhra Pradesh. 2. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2014 seeks to give effect to the aforesaid decision. It aims at reconstituting the existing State of Andhra Pradesh into two separate States, namely the State of Andhra Pradesh and the State of Telangana. The proposed reorganisation will meet the democratic aspirations of the people of Telangana region and ensure peace, goodwill, progress and prosperity among all the sections of the people of both successor States. 3. The salient features of the said Bill, inter alia, are as follows:—

(a) it provides for the territories of the two successor States of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and necessary provisions relating to representation in Parliament and State Legislatures, distribution of revenues, apportionment of assets and liabilities, mechanisms for the management and development of water resources, power and natural resources and other matters;

(b) it makes provisions for the maintenance of law and order to ensure peace and harmony in all regions and districts of the two successor States after the appointed day;

(c) it provides that Hyderabad in the existing State of Andhra Pradesh shall be the common capital of both the successor States from the appointed day for a period not exceeding ten years, and puts in place legal and administrative measures to ensure that both the State Governments can function efficiently from the common capital which includes the area notified as Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation under the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Act, 1955;

(d) it makes provisions casting responsibility on the Central Government to assist the successor State of Andhra Pradesh in identification of its new capital and to assist that State financially in the creation of essential facilities in the new capital; (e) it further makes provisions casting responsibility on the Central Government  to promote industrialisation and economic growth in both the successor States throughfiscal measures as well as through other programmes for the development of backward areas, in particular Rayalaseema and the north coastal regions of the successor State of Andhra Pradesh, by special development package to be given by the Central Government after having due regard to the resources available to the successor State of Andhra Pradesh; (f) it declares that the Polavaram irrigation project will be a national project which would be executed by the Central Government expeditiously.  

(i) Passed by Lok Sabha on Feb. 19, 2014) (ii) Passed by Rajya Sabha on Feb 21, 2014)

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            As Introduced              As Passed by Lok Sabha                      Act 11 of 2014 

BILL to continue the existing rates of income-tax for the financial year 2014-2015. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—CHAPTER I  PRELIMINARY

1. (1) This Act may be called the Finance Act, 2014. (2) Section 2 shall come into force on the 1st day of April, 2014. CHAPTER II RATES OF INCOME-TAX 

2. The provisions of section 2 of, and the First Schedule to, the Finance Act, 2013, shall apply in relation to income-tax for the assessment year or, as the case may be, the financial year commencing on the 1st day of April, 2014, as they apply in relation to income-tax for the assessment year or, as the case may be, the financial year commencing on the 1st day of April, 2013, with the following modifications,  amely:–– (a) in section 2,–– (i) in sub-section (1), for the figures  “2013”, the figures “2014” shall besubstituted; (ii) in sub-section (3), for the first, second and third provisos, the following provisos shall be substituted, namely:––“Provided that the amount of income-tax computed in accordance with the provisions of section 111A or section 112 shall be increased by a surcharge, for purposes of the Union, as provided in Paragraphs A, B, C, D or Paragraph E of Part I of the First Schedule.

Passed By (I) Lok Sabha On 21st February, 2014 (Ii) Rajya Sabha On 21st February, 2014)                                             ..

Passed By (I) Lok Sabha On 21st February, 2014 (Ii) Rajya Sabha On 21st February, 2014)                                                             As Introduced Bill        Act 15 of 2014

This Bill is introduced in pursuance of sections 22, 28 and 29 of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991 read with the proclamation issued under article 239AB of the constitution in respect of the National Capital Territory of Delhi on the 16th Feb 2014 to authorize payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the consolidated Fund of the NCT of Delhi of the moneys required to meet the supplementary expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of the NCT of Delhi and grants made by the Legislature for expenditure of the NCT of Delhi for the financial year 2013-14.