Current Affairs - Bills and Acts

Article 136 of the Indian Constitution grants the Supreme Court discretionary power to hear special leave petitions (SLPs). This extraordinary jurisdiction allows the Court to address cases involving substantial questions of law or potential miscarriages of justice, even where no direct right of appeal exists. Originating from the Government of India Act, of 1935, the mechanism empowers the Court to intervene in both civil and criminal matters. SLPs are instrumental in reducing the backlog of pending cases, ensuring justice in exceptional situations, and maintaining the Court's role as the ultimate arbiter of law in India.

The Railway Board, responsible for overseeing the management and operations of Indian Railways, has been functioning since 1905 without statutory authority. This historical context is significant as the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to grant it a formal legal status, consolidating provisions of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 into the Railways Act, 1989. This step aims to streamline railway governance and bring historical practices under a modern legislative framework.

The Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2005 to establish a comprehensive legal framework for disaster management in India. This Act laid the foundation for national and state disaster management authorities and provided a systematic approach to disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response. Its significance remains critical, as reflected in the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which seeks to enhance and address the operational challenges of the original Act, ensuring better alignment with evolving needs.

The Aircraft Act was originally enacted in 1934 to regulate various aspects of civil aviation, including safety, security, and accident investigations, establishing key bodies such as the DGCA, BCAS, and AAIB. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, 2024, replaces the Aircraft Act, retaining its foundational provisions while introducing reforms like single-window clearances for RTR certifications and expanded DGCA authority over aircraft design and manufacturing. The Bill reflects efforts to modernize the aviation sector and enhance regulatory oversight while addressing inefficiencies in the previous framework established in 1934.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, enacted in 2013, aims to create a safe and respectful work environment for women. To enhance its implementation, the Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the SHe-Box portal, which ensures confidentiality and provides a streamlined process for filing and tracking complaints. The portal allows nodal officers to monitor it, ensuring transparency and accountability in addressing workplace harassment. By reinforcing the provisions of the 2013 Act, the initiative highlights the government’s commitment to safeguarding women’s rights at work.