Monsoon Session: BJP likely to table 5 new Bills; 'delimitation package' not on its agenda, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament is expected to table five new Bills.
• Key legislations include the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill and the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025.
• Amendments to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 and the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 are also proposed.
• The "delimitation package," which includes the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam (women's reservation Bill), is not on the current session's agenda.

Detailed Insights:

• The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill seeks to amend the FCRA, 2010 to regulate foreign contributions and hospitality.
• Its primary aim is to prevent foreign inflows from adversely affecting national interest, public order, or national security.
• The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 will be reconsidered after a Joint Committee's report is presented.
• The proposed amendment to the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 aims to make registration provisions more stringent.
• The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 is intended to replace an existing ordinance.
• The Income-Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 aims to deepen India's sovereign debt market and attract global capital.
• The Nari Shakti Adhiniyam previously failed to pass in the Lok Sabha due to lack of a two-thirds majority required for a Constitutional amendment.
• The "delimitation package" requires both total and special majority in the House of the People for its passage.
• A Bill to align the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 with the evolving MSME landscape is also expected.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA): A law regulating the acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions by individuals and entities in India.
• Delimitation: The process of redrawing boundaries of electoral constituencies to ensure equal representation.
• Constitutional Amendment: A formal change or addition to the Constitution of India, requiring a special majority in Parliament.
• Ordinance: A temporary law promulgated by the President of India when Parliament is not in session.
• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME): Enterprises classified based on investment in plant and machinery or equipment and annual turnover.