Critically discuss the significance of the Repealing and Amending (Fourth) Bill, 2015 which was recently passed by the Lok Sabha. (200 Words)
Repealing and Amending (Fourth) Bill hold tremendous significance.
- India is a highly regulated country. Many of the statutes are old and irrelevant today. Example:- Insurance Amendment Act, 1940 is old and has been replaced by subsequent legislation. But, it still continues to be on the statute books. A law on the statute prohibits more than 10 people on disco floors in Mumbai.
- A maze of laws make their enforcement difficult. Also, enforcement of such laws breeds corruption.
- A leaner regulatory regime is the demand of today’s business.
Even though this bill is required but one must dwell into the reasons why this bill was required.,
- While legislating, the parliament rarely discusses the enforcement part of the legislation.
- Most of the bill repealed are Appropriation acts which should be automatically repealed. (In UK, sunset clauses are imbibed in laws)
- There should be a periodic review of regulatory effects of old laws and if found wanting, they should be replaced or amended. That is, this exercise should be periodic and can be entrusted onto a parliamentary committee. (In New Zealand and Australia, such an exercise takes place yearly)
Thus, such an exercise should occur regularly. It can have a great potential on Ease of Doing Business and also simplifying the lives of common people.