Current Affairs May 2020 - Bills & Acts
1 - Ordinance passed by Uttar Pradesh to suspend labour laws
Uttar Pradesh passed the ordinance to suspend various labour laws in the state for a period of three years. A group of state ministers comprising labour minister Swami Prasad Maurya and MSME minister SidharthNath Singh presented recommendations on the labour laws. With the approval to the ordinance, more than 30 clause of labour laws were suspended.
The step has been taken to draw new investment to the state especially from China in the post-lockdown phase to support the depleting economy. New labour laws will help both existing and new industrial units.
2 - Government to amend Essential Commodities Act
The government will amend Essential Commodities Act to enable better price realisation for farmers. The amendment will be largely towards de-regulating certain crops, like potatoes, cereals, and onions. It will enable merchants to directly purchase produce from farmers in large quantities.
Under existing rules, the Essential Commodities Act limits quantities that traders can buy from farmers and hold as stock. No stock limit shall apply for food processing units, value-addition corporations, and exporters.
3 - Punjab government promulgates 'Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners Amendment Ordinance, 2020'
Punjab Government has promulgated 'The Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Amendment Ordinance, 2020. As per new provisions, the temporary release of the prisoners has been allowed beyond the maximum period of 16 weeks in a calendar year. The step has been taken in view of containing the spread of COVID-19, with the intention to decongest the jails.
The decision was taken by the Government panel, chaired by Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain of the Punjab and Haryana High Court who is also the Executive Chairman of Punjab State Legal Services Authority.
4 - Jammu & Kashmir government notified Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020
The Jammu & Kashmir government notified Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure) Rules, 2020. The rules provide a simple procedure for the issuance of the Domicile Certificate. As per the order, individuals who have resided in J&K for 15 years or have studied for seven years or appeared in examinations for class 10th or 12th can be eligible for the grant of a domicile certificate.
Under new rule, 15 days will be required for issuance of the domicile certificate. If the certificate is not issued within the stipulated time, the applicant shall be free to approach an appellate authority.
5 - Cabinet approved J&K (Adaptation of State Laws) 2nd Order, 2020
Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for the Jammu and Kashmir (Adaptation of State Laws) Second Order, 2020 issued under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.
This order has further modified the applicability of Domicile conditions to all level of jobs in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act (Act No. XVI of 2010). The Jammu & Kashmir (Adaptation of State Laws) Second Order, 2020 was notified by the Home Ministry on April 3.
