The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015
The Bill amends the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2014.The amendments that are proposed were approved by the Cabinet in May this year. This Bill prohibits the reporting of a corruption related disclosure if it falls under any 10 categories of information. These categories include information related to (i) economic, scientific interests and the security of India; (ii) Cabinet proceedings, (iii) intellectual property; (iv)that received in a fiduciary capacity, etc.
ย The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014
The Bill replaces the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. The amendments were approved by the Union Cabinet in April this year.
The demands for amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (56 of 2000) (JJ Act) has been a burning issue in the country, for quite some while now. The whole debate started after the unfortunate Nirbhaya case took place in New Delhi, wherein the juvenile who is described as the vilest of the accused, was awarded three year imprisonment, the maximum tenure prescribed under the JJ Act, in a correctional home and hence the provisions faced a lot of criticism. The victimโs parents have now approached the NHRC and the Delhi Police as they want to charge him under the National Security Act.
According to the present Bill, if children between 16 and 18 years are accused of crimes under IPC sections 302 (murder), 326A (acid attack), 376 (rape and sexual assault), 376A (rape resulting in death or vegetative state) and 376D (intercourse by management or staff of an institution), the Juvenile Justice Board will have the power to transfer such cases to a regular court to be tried under the Indian Penal Code. Therefore, in such cases, a juvenile will be treated and punished as an adult due to his/her actions.
However, even in a regular court, no juvenile found guilty of a heinous crime can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2015
The Bill amends the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Act, 2006. It will now increase the allowance for investment in plants and machinery in micro, small and medium enterprises.
Hit next for the reading on further about the proposed legislation!ย
