Policy Update
Shivashish Narayan
Parliament’s sittings are the cornerstone of India’s democratic governance ensuring effective lawmaking, deliberation and oversight. They also play a vital role in upholding constitutional principles facilitating discussions on national policies and holding the executive accountable to the legislature. The Constitution of India provides the framework for the sessions of Parliament under Article 85 which mandates that there must not be a gap of more than six months between two sessions. This ensures that Parliament meets at least twice a year. The President of India holds the authority to summon either House of Parliament. However, these powers are exercised based on the advice of the Council of Ministers. Each House of Parliament is governed by its respective rules of procedure.
In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker decides the daily schedule including the time allocation for legislative and non-legislative business. Similarly, in the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman oversees its sittings and ensures that proceedings follow its procedural rules. Parliament convenes three sessions each year though this division is based on established conventions rather than explicit constitutional or statutory requirements.
- Budget Session (February–May): This session primarily focuses on the presentation and approval of the annual financial statement commonly known as the Budget.
- Monsoon Session (July–September): The session is dedicated to legislative work and discussions on government policies.
- Winter Session (November–December): The session focuses mainly on legislative business and urgent matters requiring parliamentary attention.
On 6 November 2024 it was notified that the Third Session (winter session) of the Eighteenth Lok Sabha will start on 25 November 2024 and end on 20 December 2024. Parliament will sit for 19 days in this session.
Legislative Business of Winter Session
The government has listed 16 pending Bills for this session of which five bills have been listed for introduction, consideration and passing. These are listed below:
Bills on consideration and passing in Lok Sabha
1. The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 modernizes India’s disaster management framework addressing gaps in the 2005 Act and aligning it with developmental goals. Key provisions include clarifying the authorities’ roles to reduce overlap with granting statutory status to bodies like the National Crisis Management Committee and shifting disaster planning responsibilities to the NDMA and SDMAs for enhanced accountability. It mandates disaster databases for evidence-based policymaking. It introduces Urban Disaster Management Authorities for major cities and establishes a State Disaster Response Force for rapid emergency response. The Bill strengthens coordination, preparedness and resilience incorporating past learnings and recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 ensures reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Goa’s Legislative Assembly under Article 332. Despite a significant Scheduled Tribes population of 1,49,275 as per the 2011 Census no reserved seats exist due to outdated delimitation based on the 2001 Census. The Bill addresses this disparity by empowering the Election Commission to amend the 2008 Delimitation Order overcoming legal and procedural barriers stemming from the Delimitation Act, 2002 and the freeze until 2026. It ensures equitable representation and enables Scheduled Tribes’ democratic participation in Goa’s governance.
3. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024
The Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 a colonial-era legislation has become outdated and inadequate to address the complexities of waqf property management in contemporary India. Its provisions are inconsistent with modern requirements and fail to ensure effective governance of waqf properties. To address these shortcomings, it is proposed to repeal the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 and rely exclusively on the Waqf Act, 1995 which provides a comprehensive legal framework for the administration and management of waqf properties. This step will ensure uniformity, transparency and accountability by eliminating ambiguities arising from the coexistence of the two Acts. The repeal of the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923 is necessary to modernize the governance of waqf properties and bring clarity to their legal administration.
4. The Bills of Lading Bill, 2024
The Bills of Lading Bill, 2024 modernizes the legal framework governing rights and liabilities under bills of lading replacing the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856. It ensures the seamless transfer of rights and liabilities to consignees or endorsees along with property in goods and establishes the bill of lading as conclusive evidence of shipment for bona fide holders. The Bill updates outdated provisions to align with modern legal and commercial practices simplifying its application. A new provision empowers the Central Government to issue directions for effective implementation enhancing maritime trade efficiency while preserving the principles of the 1856 Act.
5. The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 updates and streamlines the legal framework for carriers’ responsibilities, liabilities, rights and immunities in maritime trade replacing the outdated Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. It aligns with modern practices by incorporating “applicable rules,” including the Hague-Visby Rules with necessary modifications and clarifying their application in India. The Bill empowers the Central Government to amend the Schedule and issue directions for effective implementation ensuring flexibility and alignment with evolving maritime practices. By omitting outdated provisions it provides a modern, simplified and comprehensive framework, promoting clarity, consistency and operational efficiency in maritime trade.
6. The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 consolidates the Indian Railways legal framework by merging provisions of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 into the Railways Act, 1989. This amendment simplifies governance by reducing reliance on multiple laws creating a cohesive statute for railway operations. It enhances the Railway Board’s independence and functionality bolstering policy-making while maintaining uniform standards for the network’s development. The Bill ensures operational flexibility for Indian Railways aligning the framework with modern governance. By improving accessibility, efficiency and clarity it modernizes railway administration enabling the railways to better support India’s economic growth and infrastructure expansion.
7. The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 modernizes India’s banking framework to enhance governance, protect depositors and investors and improve efficiency. It amends the RBI Act 1934, the Banking Regulation Act 1949, the SBI Act, 1955 and the Banking Companies Acts of 1970 and 1980. Key changes include updating the definition of “substantial interest,” improving cooperative bank governance by extending directors’ tenure allowing cross-directorship and revising statutory reporting timelines. The Bill permits up to four nominees for deposits, lockers and safe custody, simplifies unclaimed asset claims through the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) and grants public banks flexibility in auditor remuneration, fostering a secure, accountable banking ecosystem.
Bill introduced in Lok Sabha and referred to Joint Committee
1. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 strengthens the Waqf Act, 1995 by addressing management and governance issues of waqf properties. Renamed the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development Act, 1995 it introduces a clearer definition of waqf, safeguards women’s inheritance rights, eliminates “waqf by user,” and proposes separate Auqaf Boards for Boharas and Agakhanis. The Bill enhances Board representation, mandates centralized registration, streamlines property mutation, reduces mutawalli contributions and requires digital account filings. It revises the Tribunal structure, ensures Limitation Act applicability and removes outdated evacuee property provisions, promoting transparency, accountability and equitable governance of waqf properties.
Bills introduced in Rajya Sabha and pending in Rajya Sabha
1. The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024
The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 modernizes the 1948 Act to address India’s energy needs, enhance security and reduce import dependency. It introduces “petroleum leases,” distinct from mining, to streamline oil and gas operations. The Bill broadens the definition of “mineral oils,” ensures investor-friendly lease terms and strengthens compliance through comprehensive rules on licensing, renewals, infrastructure sharing and safety. It transitions to a penalty-based framework for enforcement with dispute resolution mechanisms. Supporting energy transition it enables oilfields to integrate clean energy projects like wind and solar, fostering domestic production, operational stability and alignment with sustainable energy goals.
The Boilers Bill, 2024 aims to modernize boiler safety regulations by replacing the Boilers Act, 1923 ensuring uniform standards and updated provisions for industrial safety. It mandates consistent registration, certification and periodic inspections to prevent boiler explosions and enhance public safety. The Bill prohibits unregistered or uncertified boilers and requires prompt reporting of boiler-related accidents. It introduces independent third-party inspecting authorities for impartial certification, improving transparency and reducing regulatory delays. By eliminating obsolete provisions, defining key terms and establishing comprehensive rule-making powers. The Bill aligns India’s boiler safety framework with modern practices, ensuring efficiency, safety and operational consistency.
Bill as passed by Lok Sabha, pending in Rajya Sabha
1. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 aims to modernize India’s aviation regulations by repealing the Aircraft Act, 1934 addressing ambiguities and eliminating redundancies. It provides a robust framework for aircraft design, manufacture, maintenance and operation aligning national standards with global aviation conventions. The Bill ensures sustainable growth in the aviation sector, promotes domestic innovation and regulates licenses, certificates and permissions including Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificates. It grants the Central Government emergency powers and mandates compensation for aviation-related damages. A framework for appeals and stringent penalties for non-compliance ensures accountability, safety and operational efficiency in India’s aviation industry.
Bills into introduction, consideration and passing
1. The Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya Bill, 2024
2. The Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024
3. The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
4. The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
5. The Indian Ports Bill, 2024
These bills, which have yet to be introduced in Parliament during the Winter Session, reflect the government’s focus on modernizing infrastructure, legal frameworks and governance mechanisms in key sectors.
Conclusion
The Winter Session of Parliament’s legislative business plan includes disaster management, energy, banking and aviation sector reforms. The session reflects a comprehensive approach to modernizing India’s governance frameworks and addressing emerging issues. The proposed bills demonstrate a commitment towards enhancing operational efficiency, aligning with contemporary needs and fostering inclusivity. As the session unfolds it will be important to observe how these legislative measures are debated and refined to balance progressive reform with public interest.
About the Contributor: Shivashish Narayan is an Intern at IMPRI. He is a law graduate from Indore Institute of Law. His interest areas are policy and legal.
Acknowledgment: The author would like to express sincere gratitude to Dr Arjun Kumar, Ms Vaishali and Ms Asthaba Jadeja for their invaluable contributions into this article.
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