Parliament Monsoon Session-2023 Round Up

The Monsoon session of the 17th Lok Sabha was conducted from July 20 to August 11, 2023. During this session, discussions were held on the first no-confidence motion of the 17th Lok Sabha. Over 23 bills were successfully passed, and several significant legislations were introduced. Here's a summary of the key highlights of the Bills passed and introduced in the Monsoon Session, 2023.

Bills Passed By Parliament

1.Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Parliament passed the contentious Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 - which seeks to dilute the powers of the Delhi Government over services. The Bill was passed in a voice vote.Notably, the Bill introduced by the Centre has significant changes from the Ordinance promulgated by it on May 19 a week after the Supreme Court ruled that the Delhi Government has power over the administration and control of civil servants except in matters relating to public order, police and land.

2.The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023

The Act provides for provision to process personal data. However RTI activists have raised questions that it poses a serious threat to fundamental right to information by amending the RTI Act.

3.The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

It aims to amend certain provisions under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, to extend and exempt specific types of land from the Act's applicability.

4. Registration Of Birth and Death (Amendment) Bill

It creates a National and State level database of registered births and deaths which would help in updating other databases resulting in efficient and transparent delivery of public services and social benefits.

5.The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill, 2023

It repeals the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 and dissolves the Science and Engineering Research Board set up under it and provides for establishing the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.

6. The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023

It Designates the President of India as Visitor of every IIM.

7.The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provision) Bill, 2023

It aims to amend 42 laws administered by 19 ministries and decriminalises various minor offences.

8.The Mines & Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment, Bill

According to the text of the Bill, “One of the major reforms proposed in the Bill is to introduce an exploration licence for deep-seated and critical minerals.”

9. The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023

10. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The amendment intends to encourage the Indian system of medicine, facilitate fast-tracking of research, patent application process and decriminalises all the offences under the Act.

11. The Mediation Bill

It is the first legislation on mediation and provides for ‘ pre litigation mediation’ voluntarily.

12. The Multi- State Cooperative Society Bill

It intends to strengthen the co-operative movement in the multi-State co-operative societies.

13. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Some major changes brought by the Bill include, additional categories for certification of the Film based on age, unauthorised recording or its attempt made punishable with imprisonment between 3 months and 3 years, and a fine between Rs.3 Lakh and Certificates to be perpetually valid.

14.The National Dental Commission Bill, 2023,

It aims to regulate the dentistry profession and “to provide for quality and affordable dental education.”​​

15.The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023

It repeals the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947. The Commission will also regulate nursing and midwifery institutions to provide standards for faculty in teaching institutions.

16.The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Pharmacists registered under J&K Pharmacy Act, 2011 can register under Pharmacy Act, 1948.

17.The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023

CGST will be payable on suppliers of online money gaming, betting, horse racing etc.

18.The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order Bills

Several Bills were passed to include certain castes to be revised in the list of scheduled Tribes including Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh.

19.The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Expands the scope of coastal aquaculture to include allied activities such as hatcheries and nucleus breeding centres.

Bills Passed In Lok Sabha

The following Bills have been passed by Lok Sabha and pending in Rajya Sabha

1. The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019
2. The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022

Some Important Bills Introduced In This Session

1.The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023

The Central Government has moved a Bill to prescribe the manner of selecting the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. It drops Chief Justice from the panel.

2. Centre Introduces Bills To Replace IPC, CrPC & Indian Evidence Act In Lok Sabha

The Central Government introduced three bills in the Lok Sabha today to repeal and replace Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act namely, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and he Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023.

3.The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023

The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was introduced and later passed by Rajya Sabha. It amends the Advocates Act, 1961 to make the act of ‘Tout’ punishable.

4.The Press And Registration Of Periodicals Bill, 2023

The Rajya Sabha passed the Press And Registration Of Periodicals Bill, 2023. It seeks to repeal the existing Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.

5.The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

It was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 26. The Bill provides that Lieutenant Governor may nominate up to two members from the Kashmiri migrant community to the Legislative Assembly and one from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.a