Why Are We Paying Close Attention to the 2021 Winter Session of India’s Parliament? A Look at Key Bills

Posted by Written by Naina Bhardwaj Reading Time: 5 minutes

In this article, we list the various bills which are expected to be tabled in the winter session of the Indian parliament, to be held between November 29, 2021 to December 23, 2021.

In a recently released Lok Sabha bulletin, the Indian government has listed 26 new bills that are likely to be tabled during the Winter Session of the Parliament, which will be conducted between November 29, 2021 and December 23, 2021. 

Some of the bills expected to be at the center of focus include the bill to repeal the three farm laws as well as the bill seeking to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India with certain exceptions.

Below is a list of the bills scheduled to be tabled in the Parliament and the reforms they seek to bring.

Bills introduced in Lok Sabha, referred to standing committees and their reports presented

The Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020

Introduced in Lok Sabha on September 14, 2020. The report of the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare was laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on March 19, 2021.

The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Introduced in Lok Sabha on March 15, 2021. The report of the Standing Committee on Chemical Fertilizer was presented in the Lok Sabha on August 4, 2021.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019.

Introduced in Lok Sabha on December 11, 2019. The report of the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment was presented in Lok Sabha on January 29, 2021.

New bills to be introduced for consideration and passing

The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021

To create a facilitative framework for creation of the official digital currency to be issued by the Reserve Bank of India. The Bill also seeks to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India; however, it allows for certain exceptions to promote the underlying technology of cryptocurrency and its uses.

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021

To effect amendments in Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Acts, 1970 and 1980, and incidental amendments to the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 in the context of Union Budget of 2021 announcement regarding the privatization of two public sector banks.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021

To amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. The ordinance was promulgated on September 30, 2021 and amends the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to correct a drafting error. The Act regulates certain operations (such as manufacture, transport, and consumption) related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021

To repeal the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020; the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance; Farm Services Act, 2020; and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2021

It amends the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. The 2003 Act provides for the constitution of a Central Vigilance Commission to conduct inquiries into offences alleged to have been committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The ordinance was promulgated on November 14, 2021 and amends the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. The Act provides for the constitution of the Delhi Special Police Establishment for investigation of certain offences in any union territory.

The Chartered Accountants, the Cost and Works Accountants, and the Company Secretaries (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The bill aims at reforming and speeding up the disciplinary mechanism of the institutes.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy (Second Amendment) Bill, 2021

To further strengthen and streamline the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

The Cantonment Bill, 2021

To provide for greater democratization, modernization and overall improvement in governance structure of Cantonment Boards.

Inter-Services Organizations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2021

To empower the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command of Inter-Services Organizations in respect of persons subject to the Army Act, 1950, the Navy Act, 1957 and the Air Force Act, 1950, who are serving under or attached to his command, for maintaining of discipline and proper discharge or their duties.

The Indian Antarctica Bill, 2021

The bill aims at providing policy and regulatory framework for India’s Antarctic activities and to provide national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystem as per the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and the Protocol on the Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

The Emigration Bill, 2021

To replace the Emigration Act, 1983 so as to establish a robust, transparent, and comprehensive emigration management framework that facilitates safe and orderly migration.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2021

To amend Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Act to fulfil the Union Budget of 2019 announcement regarding the separation of National Pension System Trust from PFRDA and to fulfil the Union Budget of 2020 announcement for ensuring universal pension coverage as well as strengthening PFRDA.

The Indian Maritime Fisheries Bill, 2021

To repeal the Maritime Zones of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels) Act, 1981; provide for the sustainable development of fisheries resources in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of India; the responsible harnessing of fisheries in the high seas by the Indian fishing vessel; promotion of livelihoods of small-scale and artisanal fishers; and related matters.

The National Dental Commission Bill, 2021

For setting up a National Dental Commission and to repeal the Dentists Act, 1948.

The National Nursing Midwifery Commission Bill, 2021

To repeal the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 and set up a National Nursing and Midwifery Commission, which will have a transparent professional and accountable ‘selected’ regulator rather than an ‘elected’ regulator.

The Metro Rail (Construction, Operation and Maintenance) Bill, 2021

To replace the Metro Railways (Operation and Maintenance) Act, 2002 and the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978 and to provide legal framework for construction, operation and maintenance of metro rail projects including those under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2021

To amend the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954 and the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1958.

The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The proposed amendments entail de-licensing other distribution business and bring in completion, appointment of member from law background in Regulatory Commissions. Strengthening of Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) penalty for noncompliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO), prescribing rights and duties of consumers etc.

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2021

To provide for enhanced new and additional financial, technological, and capacity building support so as to meet Paris commitments and fully implement our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in a timely manner.

The National Transport University Bill, 2021

To re-designate National Rail and Transportation Institute (NTRI) as National Transportation University (NTU) and declare it as an autonomous body and Institute of National Importance (INI).

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Amendment in the list of Scheduled Tribes pertaining to the  Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. 

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Amendment in the list of Scheduled Tribes pertaining to the Indian state of Tripura. 

The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021

To prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially woman and children, to provide for care, protection, assistance and rehabilitation to the victims, while respecting their rights, and creating a supportive legal, economic and social environment for them, and also to ensure prosecution of offenders, and for matters connected herewith or incidental thereto.

The National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021

To provide a legislative framework to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for meeting the obligations of India under the Convention and the obligations of NADA as signatory of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, as amended from time to time. 

The Mediation Bill, 2021

The Bill proposes for pre-litigation mediation and at the same time safeguards in the interest of the litigants to approach the competent adjudicatory forums/courts in case an urgent relief is sought.

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