The Inter-State Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was discussed and passed in Lok Sabha. The Bill amends the Inter-State Water Disputes (Amendment) Act, 1956 which adjudicates on disputes on the water of inter-state rivers and river valleys.
- The Bill seeks to replace the mechanism established in the Act to adjudicate on water disputes.
- Under the Bill, when a state puts in a request regarding any water dispute, the central government will set up a Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC), to resolve the dispute amicably.
- The DRC will seek to resolve the dispute through negotiations, within one year (extendable by six months), and submit its report to the central government.
- If a dispute cannot be settled by the DRC, the central government will refer it to the Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal.
The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Amendment Bill, 2019 was passed in Lok Sabha. The Bill defines ‘residential accommodation occupation’ as the occupation of public premises by a person on the grant of a license for such occupation. The license must be given for a fixed tenure, or for the period the person holds office. The Bill adds a provision laying down the procedure for eviction from residential accommodation.
The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was discussed and passed in Rajya Sabha. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha last week. The Bill seeks to address various issues such as road safety, third party insurance, regulation of taxi aggregators, recall of unsafe vehicles, and compensation for victims in case of road accidents. To understand the various provisions of the Bill, you can watch our short explainer video here.
There was a call for recorded voting on the Bill. The result of the division was Ayes: 108 and Noes - 13 and the Bill was passed.
The Upper House also had a short duration discussion today on the need to ensure basic facilities and affordable treatment to cancer patients.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha on July 23, 2019. The Code consolidates 13 labour laws relating to safety, health and working conditions. In this context, we have authored a blog to explain the key provisions of the Code.
Some key questions answered in the blog:
- Who will be covered under the Code?
- Does the Code create special provisions for different types of organisations and workers?
- What working conditions and welfare facilities does the Code provide for?
- What are the authorities set up under the Code?
- How is the Code being enforced?