Know more about the Bills passed in this session

In a major legislative push, the NDA government in its second avatar has been really prompt in pursuing legislations in the Parliament. In a week’s time, which also saw the tabling of the annual Union Budget, Economic Survey and Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, seven Bills have been passed and more than five new Bills have also been tabled for consideration. Here is a brief look at them: 

The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019

The Bill replaces the ordinance brought in by the government for the same purpose in March this year. It allows offline verification of an individual’s identity, without authentication, through modes specified by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the apex body set up to regulate the Aadhaar data. It says that the use of Aadhaar number for establishing the identity of an individual by the government bodies or a company registered in India is permitted if the UIDAI is satisfied with the purpose.

UIDAI has been empowered in Bill to give directions as it may consider necessary to any entity in the Aadhaar ecosystem. Now on, a citizen can register complaints on matters regarding the use of his personal data, while earlier only courts had the powers to take cognizance of the offence. Private entities violating the provisions of the Law will be required to pay a penalty of Rs 1 crore if proven guilty.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019

The Bill amends the earlier Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act which came into force in 2004. It provides reservation in appointment and promotions in state government posts and admission to professional institutions. The law extends the reservation benefits to persons living in areas adjoining the International Border in the state. Earlier, the benefits were limited to the people living within the Action Line of Control (LoC) in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. 

The Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2019

The Bill amends the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005. Under the Act, the definition of a person includes an individual, a Hindu undivided family, a company, a co-operative society, a firm, or an association of persons.  This Bill adds two more categories to this definition by including a trust, or any other entity which may be notified by the central government.

The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019

The Bill sets up the Central Council of Homoeopathy to regulate homoeopathic education and practices in India. It replaces a similar law which was brought into force in 1973. Earlier, the Central Council was required to be reconstituted within one year from the date of its supersession,  the Bill amends the Act to increase the time period for supersession of the Central Council from one year to two years.

The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2019

The Bill provides for reservation of teaching positions in central educational institutions for persons belonging to different categories. The Bill says that for the purpose of reservation, a central educational institution will be regarded as one unit whereas till now each department of the college was regarded as an individual unit. The Bill will applies to central educational institutions and it excludes certain institutions of excellence, research institutions, and institutions of national and strategic importance which are specified in the Bill.

The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Bill, 2019

The Bill effectively sets up the Medical Council of India (MCI) which regulates medical education and practice. The Bill amends an earlier Law in this regard and it reduces the time period for supersession of the MCI from three years to two years. The Bill passed by the Parliament increases the strength of the MCI Board from seven members to twelve members. Notably, now on MCI board can also have persons with proven administrative capacity to be part of it and there is also a provision for a Secretary General appointed by the central government.

The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2019

The Bill effectively strikes off an earlier provision in the Law which had mandatory representation for practicing dentists not holding medical qualifications in the Dentist Councils at different levels. It seeks to give proper proportion in Dental Council of India to qualified dental surgeons. It is intended through this Law that it will help dentists in India to exercise their duties in a far better manner and also better the dental education in the country which is managed by the Dental Council of India.