The Repealing and Amending Bill cleared the Lok Sabha as the government pushed to scrap obsolete laws and fix drafting errors. Mr Meghwal described this Bill as a “housekeeping” chore of the Government, which will help improve people’s quality of life and also make things easier. This Bill will repeal seventy-one (71) statutes from The Statute Book and amend Another Four (4) Statutes to amend inconsistencies between Various Statutes and to eliminate discrimination between Men And Women.
After a brief but vociferous debate, the Bill passed by way of a Voice Vote in the Lok Sabha, with the Government presenting the legislation as a Business Reform. There was apprehension among Opposition Members regarding both the Scope and Timing Of The Housekeeping Bill. The debate exposed the extent to which the Government and Opposition Parties disagree on issues related to Legislative Priorities and Processes.
Government defends Repealing and Amending Bill as a reform push
Since 2014, the Government has repealed a total of 1,562 outdated Statutes. When Parliament passes the Current Bill, this Total will reach 1,633 Statutes. Why have most of these Statutes been repealed? Most people believe that Most of the Statutes that are no longer relevant were repealed because their provisions had been incorporated into Principal Acts due to future amendments. For example, the Indian Succession Act is an illustration of how the Indian Parliament has changed laws to reflect today’s culture. In the past, there were discriminatory provisions regarding probate requirements for specific religions, e.g., valid probate was required of some people based on their faith.
In addition to amending the Indian Succession Act, the Current Bill addresses the need for modernisation of language and terminology within the General Clauses Act and the Code of Civil Procedure. Finally, the Bill also contains an amendment to the Disaster Management Act to clarify a drafting error. Overall, the Current Bill demonstrates the Indian Government’s commitment to dismantling the remnants of Colonial Rule that exist in outdated Statutes.
Opposition questions intent and legislative haste
Government Narrative Challenged: Opposition Members have challenged the Government’s Narrative regarding how the Bill repeals/ amends a number of laws that were passed in the last seven years, between 2016 and 2023. Congress Member Dean Kuriakose raised concerns about proposed changes to the Disaster Management Act and their potential to reduce focus on Prevention and Preparedness in Emergency Management. Lalji Verma from the Samajwadi Party accused the Government of rushing through the Legislative Process without sufficient consideration or analysis and demanding increased parliamentary oversight. Other members have reiterated similar sentiments regarding the rapid rate of legislative amendments and making laws at a quick pace, although the Government continues to defend the Bill as an essential cleanup of existing law. The divide between the Government and the Opposition regarding how to find the right balance of Reform vs. Deliberation will likely continue until there is a change in Government.
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