Current Affairs - Bills and Acts

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.

The Centre has issued regulations for Ladakh under Article 240, which empowers the President to make regulations for the peace and good governance of certain Union Territories. These regulations have introduced domicile-based job reservations, provisions for reservations, preservation of local languages, and representation for women. Although the Sixth Schedule status was widely requested, the Centre opted for regulations under Article 240 to address the demands of the people of Ladakh, providing some level of autonomy and protection.

India plans to regulate online real money gaming (RMG) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, aiming to enhance financial transparency and user protection. The move responds to the sector’s rapid growth and the associated risks of illicit financial flows. RMG platforms, including fantasy sports and poker, have surged in popularity, especially among youth, driven by affordable internet, mobile accessibility, and digital payments. However, concerns about money laundering through complex transaction layering and cross-border fund integration have prompted the government to consider applying the 2002 legislation to strengthen oversight and reduce vulnerabilities in the digital gaming landscape.

India enacted its first comprehensive bankruptcy law in 2016, marking a major shift in how financial distress and insolvency were handled. The law aimed to create a more structured, time-bound, and creditor-friendly insolvency resolution process, replacing the earlier fragmented systems. This legislation introduced a framework that enabled faster debt recovery, improved borrower behaviour, and enhanced credit discipline. Its impact has been profound—over 30,000 cases settled pre-admission, a notable reduction in debt costs for distressed firms, and improved governance. Identifying 2016 as the year of enactment is vital to understanding the chronology and evolution of insolvency reforms in India.