Govt to table 16 bills this parliament session, here's all you need to know

Some of the bills include surrogacy regulation bill, consumer protection among others

rajya-sabha-pti A view of the Rajya Sabha during Budget Session of Parliament in New Delhi, Wednesday | PTI

The Triple talaq bill is on the table at the Parliament today. The bill that formerly created certain uproar and strong opposition from the Muslim community is however, just one of the sixteen bills pending during the monsoon session. 

1. Triple talaq bill: This bill seeks to criminalises instant divorce by Muslim men and seeks jail term for the guilty. Though BJP and allies have expressed reservations against the bill, it could be passed in Lok Sabha, but be met with opposition from the Rajya Sabha.

2. Motor Vehicles (amendment) bill: Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari introduced the bill. He did this in a bid to increase road safety, ensure compensation to victims and make insurance compulsory for all vehicle users among other amendments.

3. The public premises (eviction of unauthorised occupants) amendment bill: The bill was introduced in Lok Sabha by Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri. The bill provides for eviction of unauthorised occupants from public premises in certain cases. These include residential accommodation. 

4. The right to information (amendment): This bill was introduced by Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh. The provisions in the bill include regulation of salaries of chief information commissioner (CIC) and information Commissioners (ICs) at central level.

5. The protection of children from sexual offences (amendment) bill: This bill was introduced by Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani. The Bill amends the protection of children from sexual offences act, 2012 and seeks to protect children from offences such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography. 

6. National medical commission bill: This bill was introduced by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan in Lok Sabha The Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and provide for a medical education system which ensures: (i) availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals, (ii) adoption of the latest medical research by medical professionals, (iii) periodic assessment of medical institutions, and (iv) an effective grievance redressal mechanism.   

7. The unlawful activities (prevention) amendment bill: This bill was introduced by Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah. The bill provides special procedures to deal with terrorist activities. These include designating an organisation as a terrorist organisation, empowers the officers of the NIA of the rank of inspector or above, to investigate cases among others.

8. The insolvency and bankruptcy code (amendment) bill, 2019: The bill has just been introduced in the Rajya Sabha and it is an amendment to the insolvency and bankruptcy code of 2016.

9. Transgender persons bill:The bill was introduced by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot. Provisions of the bill include definition of a transgender person, prohibition against discrimination, ensuring right to residence etc.

10. The finance (no.2) bill: This bill includes several amendments in taxes, like those on goods and services in union territories and more

11. DNA technology use and application bill: This bill was introduced by the Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan. The Bill provides for the regulation of use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of certain persons and for regulation of collecting DNA for such purposes including investigation. 

12. Jallianwallah Bagh national memorial bill:  This bill was introduced by Prahlad Singh Patel, minister of state for culture. Under the bill a memorial honouring those who lost lives at the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre should be built. The memorial should be built by seven elected trustees, including the Prime Minister who will act on behalf of the government.

13. The airports economic regulatory authority of India (amendment) bill, 2019: This bill was introduced by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri. It amends the the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. Under the bill, a major airport is defined if they get passenger traffic of up to to 15 lakh. Other amendments include tariff determination and tariff structures.

14. The arbitration conciliation amendment bill: This bill was introduced by the Minister for Law and JusticeRavi Shankar Prasad. The bill seeks to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.It includes contains provisions to deal with domestic and international arbitration, and defines the law for conducting conciliation proceedings.  Some key features are establishing an independent body called the Arbitration Council of India, who the ACI should consist of and so on. 

15. Surrogacy regulation bill: This bill was introduced by Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan The Bill defines surrogacy as a practice where a woman gives birth to a child for an intending couple with the intention to hand over the child after the birth to the intending couple. Other provisions include purpose of surrogacy and intent of the couple involved.

16. Consumer protection bill: The bill was introduced by Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan on July 8, 2019. The Bill replaces the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Some features include amendment in definition of a consumer and redefining rights of a consumer.