Current Affairs - Bills and Acts

The Environment Protection (Management of Contaminated Sites) Rules, 2025 have been introduced by the Union Environment Ministry to manage and rehabilitate chemically contaminated sites, such as polluted landfills and unregulated hazardous waste areas. These rules are legally backed by the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which serves as the central framework for environmental regulation in India. The act empowers the central government to take measures for protecting and improving the environment. Under these new rules, district administrations are now required to submit detailed reports twice a year, enhancing transparency and accountability in managing contaminated sites across the country.

Article 338 of the Indian Constitution mandates the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) to submit an annual report to the President detailing the status of Constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Castes. This report ensures accountability and monitors the implementation of protections and welfare measures for Scheduled Castes. The 2023-24 report was recently submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, as required by this constitutional provision. The NCSC plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights and interests of Scheduled Castes, and Article 338 reinforces its authority and responsibilities.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, responsible for making recommendations on various aspects of GST implementation, was constituted under Article 279A of the Indian Constitution. This Article was introduced by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016. It provides for the creation of the GST Council, which includes the Union Finance Minister as the Chairperson and state finance ministers as members. The Council plays a pivotal role in determining tax rates, exemptions, and other key aspects of GST. Its formation was a significant step in ensuring cooperative federalism in India's tax administration.

The Forest Rights Act (FRA) was enacted to recognize the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers over forest land and resources. As part of the government's efforts to implement this legislation effectively, the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs approved the formation of district-level and state-level FRA cells. These administrative bodies are intended to support and accelerate the implementation process of the FRA. The establishment of these cells is directly linked to the provisions and objectives set out in the Forest Rights Act, which was passed in 2006.

The Indian Patents Act, of 1970, includes provisions for compulsory licensing under Section 84, allowing the government or third parties to produce patented drugs without the patent owner's consent under specific conditions. This is particularly crucial for making life-saving medicines accessible and affordable for rare disease patients. The Act balances patent protection with public health needs, ensuring that intellectual property rights do not hinder essential medical access. Recent demands by rare disease patients highlight the ongoing relevance of this legal provision in addressing healthcare affordability in India.