New Bills to Replace Law on Customs, Excise, Age Limits of GSTAT Members
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two Bills in Parliament to immediately give effect to Customs and excise duty changes announced in the Budget and raise the age limits for president and members of the goods and services tax appellate tribunals (GSTATs).
The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace the pre-Independence era Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, is aimed at curbing speculative activities, following changes in Customs and excise duties in the Budget.
The other Bill — The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 — seeks to raise the age limit for president and members of the GSTAT.
The Bill seeks to cap the age limit for president and members of the GST appellate tribunals at 70 years and 67 years, respectively. This is higher than the 67 years and 65 years, specified earlier.
The president and members of the GSTAT would be eligible for re-appointment for a period of two years subject to the age limit of 70 and 67, respectively, according to the amended Bill.
The Bill also gives one more option for qualification for a judicial member — he/she should be an advocate for 10 years with substantial experience in litigation, in matters relating to indirect taxes.
Dec 15, 2023
Telangana Launches the Maha Lakshmi Scheme
The government of Telangana, under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, launched the 'Maha Lakshmi Scheme.' This initiative, announced by the Congress party in its Manifesto for Telangana, aims to provide free travel for women, girls, and transgender persons within the state. The scheme encompasses various guarantees to ensure accessible and affordable transportation for the targeted beneficiaries.
The 'Maha Lakshmi Scheme' primarily focuses on providing free travel for girls, women of all age groups, and transgender persons in state-run Palle Velugu and express buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) within the borders of Telangana State.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly Passes Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Advocates Bill, 2023
The Karnataka Legislative assembly passed the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Advocates Bill, 2023.
The Bill was introduced by Karnataka's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil.
The bill provides that any person who commits an offense against a lawyer shall face imprisonment for a term ranging from six months to three years, or a fine of Rs. 1 lakh, or both.
It further provides that whenever an advocate is arrested by the Police in respect of a cognizable offence, the Police shall, within 24 hours of the arrest, notify the President or Secretary of the advocates' association of which the arrested advocate is a member.
The Bill states that every offense punishable under it shall be tried by a court not below the Court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class.
Dec 14, 2023
India Launches Forest Certification Scheme for Sustainable Management
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change introduced the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme. This voluntary national certification initiative aims to encourage sustainable forest management and agroforestry practices in India. The scheme encompasses forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification.
The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, will serve as the scheme's operating agency, managing its overall implementation.
Dec 13, 2023
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Enrolments Crosse the 6 crore Mark
The total enrolment under Atal Pension Yojana (APY) scheme crossed the 6 crore-mark, with enrolment of over 79 lakh in the current financial year 23-24. APY is a guaranteed pension scheme for Indians that focuses primarily on those working in the unorganised sector.
The Atal Pension Yojana was launched in May 2015.
Rajya Sabha Passes Bill on Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners
In a significant development during the Winter Session, the Rajya Sabha passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023. The bill aims to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners (EC), as well as outline the procedure for the functioning of the Election Commission. Originally introduced in August, the bill was moved for consideration and passage by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and passed the Upper House following a thorough debate.
Key provisions of the bill include the replacement of the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991. The new legislation covers aspects such as the appointment, salary, and removal of the CEC and other election commissioners. The President would appoint the CEC and ECs based on the recommendation of a selection committee, comprising the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister and the leader of the opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
Dec 12, 2023
Parliament Clears Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Bill, Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill
The Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The Bills passed seek to implement reservation in the legislative assembly, in jobs and in professional institutes of the Union Territory of Jammu& Kashmir.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 for reservation in jobs and admission to professional institutions to members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other socially and educationally backward classes.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 modifies the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The Act of 2019 specified the number of seats in the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Legislative Assembly to be 83 (excluding seats designated for areas falling in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), with 6 of those seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), but none for Scheduled Tribes (STs).
The Bill increases the total number of seats to 90, while reserving 7 seats for SCs and 9 seats for STs.
It further grants the Lieutenant Governor (LG) the authority to nominate two members from the Kashmiri migrant community, one of whom must be a woman.
The Bill also allows the LG to nominate a representative for displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, if the displacement occurred in 1947-48, 1965, or 1971.
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