Parliament Diary

The Triple Talaq Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha today. The Bill declares any talaq (divorce) pronounced by a Muslim husband, which has the effect of instantaneous and irrevocable divorce as void and illegal . The husband may be punished with imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine. The wife will be entitled to a subsistence allowance from the husband and custody of minor children, as determined by a First Class Magistrate.

The Bill was also discussed and passed today by the Lower House. During the discussion, members raised several concerns such as the need for the law after the Supreme Court had declared triple talaq as unconstitutional,the rationale for criminalising a civil dispute, the method for calculating subsistence allowance, among other issues. Several members participating in the debate urged that the Bill be sent to a Standing Committee for carrying out consultation and better scrutiny.

A background note on the Triple Talaq Bill is attached with this email.

The Minister of External Affairs made a statement in both the Houses of Parliament on Kulbhushan Jadhav’s recent meet with his family. The Minister expressed strong discontent over the manner in which Jadhav’s family was treated in Pakistan. All political parties associated with and supported the Minister’s statement.

 Lok Sabha also introduced The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017. It replaces an ordinance that was promulgated last month. The Bill amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,2016 to prohibit certain people such as wilful defaulters, disqualified directors, promoters of defaulting company, among others, from submitting a resolution plan

Rajya Sabha passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2017. The Bill seeks to extend the validity of the Act of 2011 beyond December 31, 2017. The deadline for provisions related to relocating slum dwellers and Jhuggi-Jhompri clusters, regulating street vendors, among others will be extended from 31 December 2017 to 31 December 2020.

Rajya Sabha also took up a discussion on excessively high levels of Air Pollution in Delhi. Members across parties voiced their views on the rising levels of air pollution in Delhi. Members highlighted the need for effective solid waste management to tackle pollution and pointed out the need for adequate pollution control measures to be taken at NDMC.

The Upper House also passed the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2017 and The Repealing and Amending (Second) Bill, 2017. Both the Bills look to repeal a total of 235 Acts. Of these 235 Acts, 101 Acts are amending Acts which have been incorporated into the principal Acts. In addition, 50 of such Acts were passed before 1947.