Special session of Parliament: What Bills are likely to be introduced?

According to the legislative research organisation PRS, the Bills listed in the Lok Sabha’s bulletin include the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill and the Post Office Bill. The Rajya Sabha bulletin has the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023.

While it was earlier reported that the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, introduced during the Monsoon Session in the Lok Sabha would be taken up, it was missing from the list circulated by the government at the all-party meeting convened by the government on Sunday (September 17). It is also being speculated that a Bill on Parliament having women’s reservations might be introduced.

Here is a brief look at what these Bills say.

1. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill

Introduced by: Ministry of Law and Justice

Status: The Bill was introduced and passed in the Rajya Sabha in August this year and is now pending in Lok Sabha.

Objectives: It talks about repealing certain sections under the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 and amending the Advocates Act, 1961.

“In keeping with the Government’s policy of repealing all obsolete laws or pre-independence Acts which have lost their utility, the Government of India in consultation with the Bar Council of India has decided to repeal the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 and to amend the Advocates Act, 1961 by incorporating the provisions of section 36 of the Legal Practitioners Act, 1879 in the Advocates Act, 1961 so as to reduce the number of superfluous enactments in the statute book,” states the accompanying statement of objects and reasons.

“This would also help to regulate the legal profession by a single Act, the Advocates Act, 1961,” it says.

2. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill

Introduced by: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Status: It was introduced and passed by the Rajya Sabha in August 2023 and is pending in the Lok Sabha.

Objectives: According to the government, the Bill aims to repeal and reenact the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. This is proposed for introducing a new Bill that can provide for — “(i) ease of doing business; (ii) removing unnecessary procedural obstacles for publishers; and (iii) unburdening the owners of printing presses and publishers from the onerous task of furnishing declaration before the District Magistrate and filing of revised declaration every time there were any changes in its particulars.”

It talks about making the process of allotment of titles and registration of periodicals simple and simultaneous, through a completely online system, which would be fast-tracked by the Press Registrar General to ease the process for starting periodicals.

3. The Post Office Bill

Introduced by: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Status: The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in August and is pending in both Houses.

Objectives: It seeks to consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Offices in India.

It said of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898: “This Act primarily addresses mail services provided through the Post Office. Over the years, services available through the Post Office have diversified beyond mails and the Post Office network has become a vehicle for delivery of a variety of citizen centric services which necessitated the repeal of the said Act and enactment of new law in its place.”

Further, it mentions the grounds under which the Central Government can intercept, open or detain delivery items. These include the interests of the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, emergency, or public safety. It also speaks of the appointment of a Director General of Postal Services and their powers.

4. Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023

Introduced by: Ministry of Law and Justice

Status: Passed in the Lok Sabha in July, it is now pending in the Rajya Sabha.

Objectives: This Bill repeals certain enactments that are now considered obsolete and also makes an amendment to the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011. It also repeals Appropriation Acts from 2013 to 2017 that related to the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Fund of India.

For our detailed earlier explainer on the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, click here.