The election for the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will be on 9th August, as announced by the Chairman in the Upper House today.
Lok Sabha introduced the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Amendment Bill, 2018 in the House today. The Bill seeks to amend the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 to empower a District Magistrate to issue orders for the purpose of adoption.
The Lower House also discussed and passed The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018, which amends the 1989 Act. In 2018, the Supreme Court stated that for persons accused of committing an offence under the Act, approval of the Senior Superintendent of Police will be required before an arrest is made. However, the Bill states that an investigating officer will not require this approval before making an arrest. Further, a preliminary inquiry will not be required to lodge a FIR against anyone accused under the 1989 Act.
Rajya Sabha discussed and passed The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017. The Bill grants the National Commission on Backward Classes constitutional status. Subsequently, the House also passed The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 which repeals the 1993 Act.
Rajya Sabha also passed The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 which was passed by Lok Sabha on the 30th of July, 2018. The Bill increases the provision of punishment for rape of women and introduces death penalty for rape of minor girls below the age of 12. Some of the changes in punishment of committing rape can be understood through the image below:
Some members during the discussion urged the House to send the Bill to a Select Committee for further recommendations. They said that this Bill was extremely sensitive and important and needs further scrutiny.