Monsoon Session of the Parliament 2023: Highlights

The Monsoon Session of Parliament started on 20th July and concluded on 11th August. The session is being conducted in the new Parliament building, marking a significant milestone. The concluding day of the no-confidence motion brought together a series of pivotal moments that summarise the motion's essence. From strategic discussions and hard-hitting speeches to a decisive voice vote, the day served as a reflection of the ever-evolving nature of political discourse.

This monsoon session was a spectacle, ranging from Rahul Gandhi's flying kiss controversy to PM Modi's notable silence concerning the Manipur violence. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's poised address and Prime Minister Modi's forward-looking vision, along with his pointed remarks directed at the opposition, stood out as highlights of the session.

"I want to commend the opposition for one thing, as the leader of this house, I had asked them to bring a motion again in 2023 and they listened to me. But they didn't bring any innovation or creativity. I again ask them to bring a motion in 2028 but they need to come fully prepared."

- PM Modi 

Major Developments in Monsoon Session

The session also witnessed suspension of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and AAP MP Raghav Chadha's suspension from the Rajya Sabha due to grave violations of rules and contemptuous conduct, pending a report from the privileges committee, which has created ripples. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's suspension from the Lok Sabha for comparing PM Modi to the blind king (Dhritrashtra) has heightened the session's intensity. These events contribute to the evolving landscape of this year's Monsoon Session.

Let’s discuss a few of the major bills introduced in the Parliament in this monsoon session.

In a groundbreaking move, Amit Shah on the concluding day of the monsoon session, announced that the Central government is poised to revolutionize the country's criminal laws by substituting the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) of 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

1. The IPC, formulated during British colonial rule in 1860, has remained the cornerstone of the nation's criminal justice system for over 160 years. It is set to be supplanted by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2. The CrPC of 1973 is to be succeeded by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

3. The Indian Evidence Act of 1872 will be superseded by the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023.

4. The Post Office Bill, 2023 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 10, 2023.  It repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.  

5. The Lok Sabha has also successfully passed amendments to two crucial Goods and Services Tax (GST) bills. This move entails the imposition of a 28 percent tax on online gaming, casinos, and horse race clubs.

Read more about online gaming and taxation regarding in our recent blog 

In this regard, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented two bills in the lower house: the Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Major Bills passed during Monsoon Session 2023

1. Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Both Houses of Parliament have passed the bill after much debate. While 131 MPs voted in favour of the Bill, 102 MPs opposed it. The bill seeks to replace the ordinance (Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023) on the control of services in Delhi; Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah stated, “I want to assure the House that the Delhi services bill aims to provide corruption-free governance in Delhi.” Also, he mentioned that this bill does not violate the Supreme Court’s order.

2. Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022

The bill has been recently passed by both houses and is set to replace the existing Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules. It is said to bring about wide-ranging exemptions & potentially reduce the authority of the data protection board. Its goal is to establish a legal framework governing digital personal data protection.

3. Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

Another important bill is the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, which was passed previously by the Lok Sabha and now by the Rajya Sabha on 2nd August 2023. This Bill aims to amend the Forest (Conservation) Act, of 1980 to extend and exempt specific types of land from the Act's applicability. The Bill specifies some activities that can be carried out in forests, such as establishing check posts, fencing, and bridges. The Bill also allows running zoos, safaris, and eco-tourism facilities.

4. Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

This bill has been passed by the Rajya Sabha which means, this bill will amend the existing Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to enhance biodiversity conservation and promote benefit-sharing with local communities.

5. Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022

This bill, set to be introduced in the Monsoon Session 2023, aims to repeal 65 obsolete or redundant laws that have been superseded by other legislation.

6. Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022

This bill converts fines to penalties and removes imprisonment as a punishment for certain offences under the Post Office Act of 1898. The Bill also amends some Acts to provide for the appointment of Adjudicating Officers to decide penalties.  It also specifies the appellate mechanism. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 has been passed by both the parliamentary bodies.

7. Multi-State Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022

Both houses have passed this bill and aims to amend the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act of 2002.  It proposes the establishment of a Co-operative Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Development Fund to support struggling multi-state co-operative societies.

8. Mediation Bill, 2021

This Mediation Bill has already undergone scrutiny by a Standing Committee and was scheduled to be tabled during the monsoon session. On 7th August 2023, the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. The Bill makes pre-litigation mediation voluntary instead of compulsory. It also established a Mediation Council of India as a neutral third party.

9. Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022, has also been passed by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. This bill aims to include certain tribes and communities in the Scheduled Tribes category in the state of Chhattisgarh.

10. The National Research Foundation Bill, 2023

It seeks to establish the National Research Foundation, besides repeal of the SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) Act, 2008. Both houses have passed this bill.

As the Monsoon Session concludes with significant legislative achievements, what other governance or law reform areas would you like to see prioritized in future sessions?

Other Bills during Monsoon Session

Here’s a list of a few major bills passed in Lok Sabha or in both the House of Parliament.

As the Monsoon Session is concluded, tell us in the comment section below which aspect or development highlighted in the blog resonates the most with you?