Changes to CGST Act among 18 bills lined up for winter session

The government has listed 18 bills to be presented, including the first batch of supplementary grants and demand for excess grants during the upcoming winter session starting December 4, 2023.

The list also includes the Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill 2023, seeking to re-enact the act of the same name and a bill to amend the CGST Act based on the GST council meeting held in October this year.

The legislative agenda for the winter session also includes bills to extend provisions of women’s reservation act to J&K and Puducherry, and three bills to replace the criminal laws. As per a bulletin issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the government also plans to bring a bill that seeks to increase the strength of J&K assembly from 107 to 114 seats. This move is aimed at ensuring representation for Kashmiri migrants, displaced individuals from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Scheduled Tribes.

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has issued a list of etiquettes for MPs in the House, including that no member should rise or leave the House when the Chairman is addressing. As per the bulletin, MPs have been requested not to read from written speeches and not to publicise notices to raise important issues till they are admitted by the Chairman.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya bills seeking to replace Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Indian Evidence Act, respectively, have been listed for passage in the Lok Sabha.

The CEC and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill that proposes to set up a 3-member panel led by the PM to appoint future chief election commissioners and election commissioners and the Post Office Bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha have also been listed.

The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill has been listed for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha.