New criminal code, banking laws, Waqf, ONOE: Key bills and legislation that made headlines in 2024

Parliament

The year 2024 saw three Parliament sittings - the Interim Budget Session in February, the Budget and Monsoon Session in July & August and the Winter Session in November-December.

Several key bills were passed in Parliament and important laws were enacted during the year. Despite frequent disruptions due to protests by opposition members, Parliament managed to clear as many as 19 bills over the four sessions.

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 are some of the key bills that were passed by Parliament.

Moreover, the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita (new criminal laws) also came into effect on July 1, 2024. The Bill was introduced and cleared by Parliament last year.

Here's a list of key bills passed in the four sittings of the Parliament this year:

Interim Budget Session 2024: Jan 31-Feb 10

The Interim Budget Session of Parliament 2024 commenced on January 31 and concluded sine die on February 10, 2024. The session included 9 sittings, during which a total of 10 bills were passed.

The Finance Bill, 2024 - The bill was introduced on February 1 and passed on February 7 and 8 in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively. The Finance Bill is a part of the Union Budget of India that outlines the legal changes required for the Finance Minister's proposed tax changes.

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2024 - The bill was introduced on February 5, and passed on February 8 and 6 in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively. The bill amends the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to modify the lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 - The bill was introduced on February 5 and passed on February 8 and 6 in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively. The bill adds the Bondo Porja, Khond Porja, and Konda Savaras tribes to the list of Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh. The bill adds the Pahari Ethnic Group, Padari Tribe, Koli, and Gadda Brahmin communities to the list of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir. The bill aims to empower these communities.

The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2024 - The bill aims to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of Jammu and Kashmir for the services of FY 23-24.

The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2024 - The legislation authorizes the government to draw funds amounting to roughly Rs 75.9 thousand crores from the consolidated fund of Jammu and Kashmir for FY24-25.

The Appropriation Bill, 2024 - A bill to authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the consolidated fund of India for the services of FY23-24.

The Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2024 - The bill authorises the withdrawal of approximately Rs 61.6 lakh crores from the consolidated fund of India for FY24-25.

Besides these, the three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, came into effect from July 1.

Some key aspects of the law -

Victims will receive a free copy of the FIR, ensuring their participation in the legal process.

In the event of an arrest, the individual has the right to inform a person of his choice about his or her situation. This will ensure immediate support and assistance to the arrested individual.

Arrest details will now be prominently displayed within police stations and district headquarters, allowing families and friends of the arrested person easy access to important information. The evidence collection process at the crime scene will be mandatorily videographed to prevent evidence tampering.

Also Read | New criminal laws come into force today, to replace colonial-era IPC: All you need to know

Budget and Monsoon Session of the Parliament 2024: July 22 - August 9

The Budget Session, 2024 of Parliament commenced on July 22 and was adjourned sine die on August 9. This was the first Parliament session after the Lok Sabha elections, with new members taking oath.

During the session, the first Budget of the NDA 3.0 government along with the Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Lok Sabha on July 23. A total of 3 bills were passed in both the Houses.

The Finance (No.2) Bill, 2024 - The bill gives effect to the financial proposals of the Central
Government for FY24-25.

The Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation (No.3) Bill, 2024 - The bill will authorise payment and appropriation of certain further sums from and out of the consolidated fund of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the services of FY23-24.

The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 - This bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 9. The Bill seeks to re-enact the Aircraft Act to address the ambiguity owing to insertions/omissions/deletions effected by amendments to the Aircraft Act, 1934 from time to time.

Winter Session of the Parliament 2024: Nov 25-Dec 21

The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 - The bill seeks to repeal the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 by incorporating the provisions for constitution and composition of the Railway Board into the Railways Act, 1989.

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 - The Lok Sabha passed the Bill which allows bank account holders to have up to four nominees in their accounts. Another proposed change relates to redefining 'substantial interest' for directorships, which could increase to Rs 2 crore instead of the current limit of Rs 5 lakh, which was fixed almost six decades ago.

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 - The Bill provides for the constitution of a National Executive Committee and a State Executive Committee to assist NDMA and SDMA in performing their functions. The Bill also empowers NDMA to make regulations under the Act with prior approval of the central government.

Apart from these two key bills were introduced in the Parliament and were sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 - The bill seeks to revise the Waqf Act, 1995, for greater accountability and transparency in the functioning of Waqf boards, along with mandating the inclusion of women in these bodies.

One Nation, One Election Bill (Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment Bill), 2024) - The Bill marks the first step towards implementing one of BJP’s key poll promises—simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.  If the two bills are passed during the Budget Session in February next year, the earliest the "One Nation, One Election" law will come into force will be 2034.