President Droupadi Murmu today gave assent to four bills passed during the stormy monsoon session of the parliament.
Digital Personal Data Protection Bill
One of the four new bills is the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill. Despite strong resistance and a cacophony created by the Opposition over various issues, it managed to pass muster by a voice vote.
Contained within this piece of legislation are provisions that enable penalties up to ₹ 250 crore for online platforms found guilty of misuse of individual data.
Does the implementation of this law mark a surveillance state, as alleged by the Opposition? The answer is in the detail of the provisions that allow processing personal data sans consent in nine broad instances, which critics believe could infringe on citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.
The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill
Another law that sailed through the stormy waters of the parliamentary session is the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill. As a result of its enactment, the path has been cleared for digital birth certificates which will be regarded as the only conclusive age proof and can serve multiple purposes.
In essence, the birth certificate can now be used as a valid document for admission into educational institutions, obtaining driving licenses, registering marriages, securing governmental appointments, and availing of food welfare schemes.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill
Next in line is the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill enacted to ease business by decriminalizing minor offences. By amending the provisions of 42 Acts, the new law converts several fines into penalties, eliminating the need for court prosecution to administer punishments. Furthermore, it rids many offences of imprisonment as a form of punishment.
The Delhi Services Bill
Most contentious of all bills recently signed into law is the Delhi Services Bill which replaces an ordinance that transferred control over Delhi’s bureaucracy from the Aam Aadmi Party-led government to the Centre.
This piece of legislation, steeped in controversy, was more than enough to lure the opposition alliance’s MPs out of parliament during voting. But despite rampant opposition, the law was passed with 131 MPs favoring and 102 opposing it.
These newly approved laws paint a clear picture of more than just the power tussle in the capital. They mark a significant shift in the legislative churning process indicative of a democracy at work amidst resistance and opposition, underlining the integral role of presidential approval.
