Bills and Acts Compilation
CA Database
Subject: Polity LIsts: Bills & Acts, Compilation Status: Sorted Once
Acts
Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 1986
Mentioned in the FIR
Juvenile Justice Care & Protection of Children Act, 2015
From Sexual Offences Act in the FIR
Post Office Act, 1898
Replaced the Post Office Bill, Section 9 empowers officers to intercept postal items in the state's interest.
Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991
Section 4 prohibits changing the character of any place of worship.
Petition to declare Section 4 of this act Ultra Vires in the Supreme Court.
Food Safety Act (FSA), 1990
Sale of Meat & Egg - Food Safety Act: Regulations as per the food safety act.
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002
- The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 is an Indian law enacted in 2002 to prevent money laundering and related offenses.
- Money laundering involves making illegally obtained funds appear legitimate or "clean" by integrating them into the financial system. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
- It was enacted in a 2002 response to India’s global commitment (including the Vienna Convention) to combat the menace of money laundering. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
- The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is the primary authority responsible for investigating and prosecuting money laundering.
- It functions under the Department of Revenue of the Ministry of Finance.
- Recently, the Supreme Court has ruled that the ED cannot arrest someone under the PMLA simply for not responding to their queries and summons. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
- The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 is an Indian law enacted in 2002 to prevent money laundering and related offenses.
Patents Act (PA), 1970
- Focus: Section 3 of the Patents Act, 1970.
- Section 3D: Requires inventions to demonstrate enhanced therapeutic efficacy.
- Cases:
- Nozymes vs. Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs (Section 3E).
- Hong Kong and Shanghai University vs. Assistant Controller of Patents (Section 3I).
- Emphasis: Need for bright-line rules for consistency in the patent office.
Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951
Issue: Delisting of political parties with religious and caste denominations.
Decision: Delhi High Court ruled it cannot decide on this matter.
Section 151.A of Representations of People Act: Mandates filling a vacancy through a bypoll within six months.
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2023
Sec 6A 1955 Challenged - Contradicts Assam Accord of 1985, 25 March 1971
- Section 6A of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 1955 challenged by Indigenous Assamese group
- Timeframes for Indian citizenship under CAA 1955:
- Before January 1966: Standard criteria.
- Between January 1966 and March 25, 1971: Certain conditions need to be fulfilled.
- Post-March 25, 1971: Considered as an illegal migrant.
- Indian citizenship on the basis of CAA 1955
Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1998
Wheat Stock Limit Portal: Entities not registered on the wheat stock limit portal will face punitive action under Sections 6 & 7 of the Essential Commodities Act 1998.
Surrogacy Regulation Act (SRA), 2021
Addresses surrogacy for unmarried women, widows, and divorced women between 35 & 45, or infertile couples. The law permits altruistic surrogacy and requires the surrogate mother to be genetically connected to the surrogacy needing parents
Delhi HC said that it could grow into a Billion Dollar Industry, DHC against Surrogact Industry.
Forest Regulation Act (FRA), 2006
Challenges
- It is now working as a encroachment regularisation scheme
- Extremely slow and incomplete recognition of community rights
Current Status
- Maharasthra Orissa and Chhattisgarh only states to recognise Forest rights substantially
Static
- It was for
- FDST - Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes
- OTFD - Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
Unlawful Activities & Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967
- Components: Penal Code and Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010.
- UAPA: Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
- Key Sections: 13, 18, and 40 3D5 of UAPA.
- Cases: Fahad Shah UAPA case & Vernon Gonsalves Case.
- Section 16: Specifies punishments related to terrorist acts.
- Associated Acts: Arms Act 1959, Foreigner Act 1946, Passport Act 1967, Citizenship Act 1955.
- Section 38(2): Punishment for being a member of a terrorist organization.
- Section 18: Penalty for conspiring to commit a terrorist act.
- Section 43D(7): Bail restrictions for foreigners involved in terror activities.
- Charge Sheet: Maximum duration for filing is 180 days.
Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act (J&K RA), 2019
- Ladakh has Shia Majroity which wants to maintain relations with Valley
- Solution
- Disarmament and Demilitrisation of Area
- Soft Border Economy
Background
- Article 370: A form of asymmetric federalism and a temporary provision that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it internal sovereignty and special citizenship rights.
- Article 35A: Worked in tandem with Article 370 to define the residents of the state and their special privileges.
- Dissolution of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly: Occurred in 1957.
Various Commentaries
- Supreme Court's Stance: Upheld the validity of the abrogation of both Article 370 and Article 35A, indicating judicial deference.
- President's Decision: Supported the removal of Article 370.
- Pakistan's Response: Contends that the Supreme Court's decision has no legal value, planning to counter it via the UNSC Council.
- RSS's Involvement: Passed 27 resolutions since 1950 advocating for the removal of Article 370.
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Slogan: "Insaniyat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kashmiriyat" aimed at promoting harmony in the region.
Pros of Abrogation
- Integration with Union: The Supreme Court suggested that permanent status of Article 370 would hinder the complete integration of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India.
- Statehood and Elections: The proposal for the return of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and conducting elections by September 30, 2024, can be seen as steps towards normalcy.
- Vacant Seats in Local Bodies: The point about 12,000 vacant seats since 2018 indicates a need for political restructuring and representation.
- Ladakh as Union Territory: The decision to make Ladakh a Union Territory is seen as a positive step for its development and governance.
Cons of Abrogation
- Loss of Special Status: The removal of Article 370 eliminates the unique status and autonomy that Jammu and Kashmir previously enjoyed.
- Regional Tensions: The decision has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan, potentially escalating regional tensions.
- Internal Conflict: The abrogation could lead to dissatisfaction and unrest among the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA), 2019
- Categorization: Similar to tobacco products.
- Various Names: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), tank systems, e-cigs, e-hookahs, mods, vape pens, vapes.
- Health Risks: EVALI (lung injury related to vaping), bronchiolitis obliterans.
- Health Concerns: Inhalation of aerosols containing heavy metals like lead, nicotine.
- Prohibition: Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA) 2019 by the Union Health Ministry.
Laws
Anti Defection Law - Schedule 10
- Beofre 2003 → 1/3rd Moved for Merger → Defection Does Not Occur - Removed after 91st CAA #dubai
- Concept of Defector, Floor Crossing
- Splits Followed by Merger
Human Trafikking Law
- Art 23 - Prohibits Human Trafikking & Begar
- ITPA - Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956 - Primary Law for Preventing Sexual Exploitation for Commercial Sexual Exploitation
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 → enacted on children days 14 novemeber → gives Clear Defintion of Pentrative & Non Penetrative Sex
Bills
- NCRB Data on Women
- NCRB Data on Women: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in February 2023, domestic violence by husbands and relatives continues to be a major concern, even though overall crimes against women have decreased.
- Women in Police Force: As of January 1, 2022, women constitute 11.7% of the total state police force.
- Key Laws for Women’s Safety in India:
- The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956: Aims to prevent trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
- The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Prohibits the giving or receiving of a dowry as part of the marriage process.
- The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987: Outlaws the practice of Sati, in which a widow immolates herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Protects women from domestic violence, including physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse.
- The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013: Addresses sexual harassment of women at the workplace.
- The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986: Prohibits indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications, writings, paintings, figures, or in any other manner.
- Omni Bus Telecom Bill (OBT), 2023
- will replace the Telegraph Act of 1885, wireless telegraph act, 1933 and the telegraph wires unlawful position at 1950
- State Sponsored Snooping
- No Spectrum Bid
- Chapter 4 of the emergency powers gives government reunion powers. Section 19 F empowers the central government to notify standards and conformity assessment measure
- Non Acution Route for Spectrum
- National Security - Can take Control
- Chief Election Commissioner Bill (CEC), 2023
- Title: Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill.
- Background: Modification from the 1991 Act.
- Appointment: ECs appointed by the President based on the recommendation of a selection committee.
- Selection Committee Composition: Prime Minister (Chairperson), Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
- From Pool of : Secreatry of Central Gvoernment Bureaucrats
- Salary and Conditions: Equivalent to the Cabinet Secretary, previously similar to a Supreme Court Judge.
- Issues:
- Lack of tenure security for ECs.
- No set qualification criteria.
- Unclear division of power between CEC and ECs.
- Concerns about post-retirement appointments.
- Dinesh Goswami Committee Reccomended : appointment of chief election Commissioner should be done by a committee which consist of the Prime Minister chief Justice of India and the leader of a position of Lok Sabha and the same was retreated by the Supreme Court under power of article 142