Fifty Private Member Bills in the Lower House

The Bills include a return to traditional ballots, prevention of internet shutdowns among

others

NH Web Desk

More than fifty private member bills were proposed in the parliament’s winter session on

Friday. Private member bills rarely if ever see the light of day, and of the many that have

been introduced since independence, a mere 14 have been passed. Here’s a look at some

significant private member bills that were introduced to the lower house this winter session.

1) The Representation of the People Bill, 2022

BSP member Danish Ali said in his statement that the traditional voting system accomplishes

the goal of free and fair elections.

"EVMs are prone to errors and several countries in the world have stopped using EVMs as

doubts have been raised about its veracity. EVMs should be replaced with traditional ballot

papers in our country also," he said. In this regard, he has introduced a private member bill to

re-introduce traditional ballots and do away with EVMs.

2) The Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2022

Assam Congress leader and MP Abdul Khaleque introduced a private bill with regards to

omitting the provision of the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019. The act—

"Provided that any person belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian

community from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan, who entered into India on or before

the 31st day of December, 2014 and who has been exempted by the Central Government by

or under clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
or from the application of the provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946 or any rule or order

made thereunder, shall not be treated as illegal migrant for the purposes of this Act.”

Having been widely protested when it was first introduced all across the country, the act is

now being challenged by the Congress leader through a private member bill. He has also

issued an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha asking for a discussion on the new land policy

of Assam, which is he declares to be against India’s constitutional spirit.

3) The Prevention of Internet Shutdowns Bill, 2022

Thamizhachi Thangapandian of the DMK introduced a bill to ask for increased transparency

when it came to internet shutdowns. The demand was to set up an effective system to prevent

internet shutdowns and procedural safeguards to bring about accountability for the

shutdowns. As per the Draft Telecommunications bill passed by the centre in September

2022, under provisions for ‘public emergency’ or ‘public safety’, it gives the government the

right to suspend telecommunications networks. The government may “take temporary

possession of any telecommunication services, telecommunication network or

telecommunication infrastructure from a licensee or registered entity,” it says. In light of this

event, the private member bill appears all the more pressing.

4) The Prevention of Mob Lynching Bill, 2022

IUML’s E T Mohammed Basheer introduced a bill to prevent mob lynching and demand

appropriate punishment for people committing mob lynching. The bill proposes to instil fear

among perpetrators. It also seeks rehabilitation for victims as well as family members of mob

lynching. Lynching is not defined as a crime under the Indian Penal Code. There are no

specific laws at the central level to punish the crime.

5) The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2022

ET Mohammad Basheer has also proposed The Prevention of Torture Bill. India is yet to

ratify the UN convention against torture. In 2010, the Union Government put forward for

parliamentary consideration the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010. However, the bill failed to

comply with the basic requirements of the UN.

6) The Constitution Amendment Bill, 2022

Calling into question concerns regarding the independence and autonomy of the Election

Commission, Congress MP Manish Tewari has introduced a bill that seeks the formation of a

high-level committee headed by the Prime Minister and consisting of the Leader of the

Opposition and the Chief Justice of India to select the Chief Election Commissioner and the

Election Commissioners. “The Election Commission shall regulate, monitor and superintend

the internal election of registered political parties…in accordance with their respective

constitutions until a Model Internal Code is prescribed by the Election Commission,” the bill

adds.

Additionally, Widows Protection Bill was introduced by Behanan Benny, The Wildlife

Protection Amendment Bill by Thomas Chazhikadan, The Housing Facility for Destitute

Senior Citizens, Widows and Orphan Children Bill by Thamizhachi Thangapandian as well

as The Juvenile Justice Bill by Dr. Shashi Tharoor. In addition to this, in the Rajya Sabha,

BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena introduced the controversial Uniform Civil Code in India Bill,

2022. However, several opposition leaders have expressed their trepidation regarding the bill

and how it will destroy the social fabric of India.