Introduction of Private Members Bills in Rajya Sabha

REGISTERED NO. DL—(N)04/0007/2003—26 The Gazette of India EXTRAORDINARY PART II — Section 2 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 2] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026/MAGHA 17, 1947 (Saka) Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be fi led as a separate compilation. CG-DL-E-07022026-269916 RAJYA SABHA ___________ The following Bills have been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on the 6th February, 2026:— I Bill No. LXXVIII of 2024 A Bill to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows: 1. (1) This Act may be called the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita ( Amendment) Act, 2024. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint: Provided that the Central Government shall appoint such date within three months from the date on which the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Amendment) Bill, 2024 receives the assent of the President. Amendment of section 103. 2. In the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in section 103, after sub-section (2), the following new sub-section shall be inserted, namely: — “(3) Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, incites a person or a group of persons to commit murder of any person on the ground of race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other similar ground, shall be punished with death or with imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine.” 45 of 2023. Amendment of section 196. 3. In the principal Act, in section 196, in sub-section (1), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: — “Provided that if any words or actions, referred to in clauses (a) to (c) above, of any person causes any person or a group of persons to commit murder of any other person on the ground of race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other similar ground, then such person shall be punished with imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine.” Amendment of section 298. 4. In the principal Act, in section 298, — (i) the following provisos shall be inserted, namely:— “Provided that if the offence mentioned in sub-section (1) is committed by two or more persons with the common intention of either insulting the religion of any class of persons or of promoting religious animosity between different class of persons then each of them shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine: Provided further that if a person, either individually or as a part of any group of two or more persons, is found guilty of offence mentioned in sub-section (1) for a second or subsequent time, he shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term not less than ten years and with fine.” (ii) the existing section shall be numbered as sub-section (1) and after sub-section (1) so numbered, the following new sub-section shall be inserted, namely: — “(2) Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or through electronic communication or otherwise, incites a person or group of persons to commit the offence mentioned under sub section (1) shall be deemed to have committed the said offence and shall be liable for the same punishment, irrespective of whether he actually participates in the commission of such offence or not.” Amendment of section 299. 5. In the principal Act, in section 299, the following provisos shall be inserted, namely: — “Provided that if the offence mentioned in this section is committed by two or more persons with the common intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class of persons or of promoting religious animosity between different class of persons then each of them shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years and with fine: Provided further that if a person, either individually or as a part of any group of two or more persons, is found guilty of the offence mentioned in this section for a second or subsequent time, he shall be punished with imprisonment for life or with imprisonment of either description for a term not less than ten years and with fine.” STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS Protection of communal harmony, social tranquility and unswerving camaraderie among citizens are a sine qua non not only for national integrity but also for the overall development of the nation. India, as a nation, and its people, as a society, have so far achieved the greatest repute all over the world for its record in maintaining communal harmony, social tranquility and unswerving camaraderie among citizens, despite having unparalleled cultural and religious diversity. However, the differences of faith, language, region and even diet persisting among our people sometimes lead to conflicts and altercations. Some fringe elements take advantage of such untoward incidents for their vested interests and make the situation worse. These anti-national forces sometimes succeed in leading people to commit heinous crimes, including murder of fellow citizens, on the basis of such differences. Unfortunately, there is a rise in the number of such crimes motivated by intolerance of differences and hate towards ‘others’ being reported from various corners of the country recently. Most of the advanced legal systems in the world have enacted specific laws to prevent such hate crimes. It is high time for India also to have effective law to prevent all types of hate crimes and to thwart any attempt to promote enmity between different groups of persons. There are provisions in the existing criminal law to deal with persons directly involved in commission of such offences. But, more often than not, there are perpetrators, who hide behind the curtain and abet people to commit such crimes and escape prosecution in the absence of law to book them. In fact, these facilitators are the real culprits and without ensuring proper punishment for them, such crimes cannot be eradicated. Further, there are some offenders repeatedly committing such hate crimes due to extreme intolerance and radicalization, and such offenders should be dealt with severe punishments. Section 103 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 prescribes punishment for each member of a group who have committed murder on the ground of race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, personal belief or any other similar ground. But it lacks provision for punishment of persons who actually incites the group to commit murder, but not personally involved in commission of offence. Similarly, Section 298 prescribes punishment for injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult religion of any class. Here also there is no provision for punishment of persons who actually incites a person or group of persons to commit offence under this Section. Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with the offence of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. and doing various acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony. Sometimes, a single incident contemplated under this Act may lead to more heinous crimes, such as murder of a person or group of persons or even to a large-scale riot. In such cases, the law should provide severe punishment for person(s) causing the same. The offences mentioned in Sections 298 and 299 of the Sanhita become severe in nature and its consequence when it is committed by a group of persons with common intention of insulting any religion or of spreading religious animosity among citizens. Hence members of the group committing such offences deserve severe punishments than an individual committing the same offence. Similarly, a person committing any of these offences repeatedly with the same intention should also be dealt with severe punishment. It is the need of our time to fill up the above-mentioned lacuna in the law in order to protect communal harmony and social tranquility effectively. Appropriate legal provision should be incorporated into the existing Sections for that purpose. Hence, this Bill. HARIS BEERAN MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 17 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. II Bill No. LXXXI of 2024 A Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows: 1. (1) This Act may be called the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2024. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint: Provided that the Central Government shall appoint such date within three months from the date on which the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 receives the assent of the President. Amendment of article 243D. 2. In article 243D of the Constitution, after clause (3), the following new clause shall be inserted, namely: “(3A) At least one seat out of the total seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for persons with disabilities and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat: Provided that the Legislature of a State may, by law, enhance the number of seats to be reserved for persons with disabilities up to a maximum of four percentage of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat. Explanation.– For the purpose of this clause, „persons with disabilities‟ shall have the same meaning assigned to „person with benchmark disability‟ as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.” 49 of 2016. Amendment of article 243T. 3. In article 243T of the Constitution, after clause (3), the following new clause shall be inserted, namely: “(3A) At least one seat out of the total seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality shall be reserved for persons with disabilities and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Municipality: Provided that the Legislature of a State may, by law, enhance the number of seats to be reserved for persons with disabilities up to a maximum of four percentage of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Municipality. Explanation.– For the purpose of this Article clause, „persons with disabilities‟ shall have the same meaning assigned to „person with benchmark disability‟ as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.” 49 of 2016. STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS The Election Commission of India operates under the principle of "No Voter Left Behind," striving to ensure comprehensive inclusion in the electoral process, which is celebrated as a festival in India. Despite these efforts, Divyangs (Persons with Disabilities) remain significantly overlooked in public discourse and electoral participation. Although post-colonial India has made great strides in enhancing the quality of life for Divyangs, these improvements are still insufficient, especially regarding their inclusion in the electoral process, particularly so when it comes to the number of Divyangs in the Union and State Legislatures and Local Self Government bodies. According to the 2011 Census, Divyangs constitute 2.21 per cent. of the population, or 2.68 crore individuals. Yet, their participation in the legislative bodies and LSGs is not adequately addressed. The absence of Divyang representation in the electoral process undermines the principles of representation, diversity, and inclusivity crucial for a well-functioning democracy. Elected representatives from the Divyang community can advocate for accessibility and inclusion, benefiting society as a whole. It is essential that Divyangs have a voice and influence in our democratic structures commensurate with their presence in society. Currently, many decisions affecting their lives are made without proper representation, resulting in policies that fail to address their specific needs and experiences. As an initial step in the direction of ensuring adequate representation of Persons with Disabilities in electoral bodies, it is ideal to provide reservation for them in the Local Self Government bodies. The noble concept of „equality‟ enshrined in our Constitution can be achieved only with special consideration for the vulnerable classes like Divyangs. The Constitution already provides reservation for some other identified vulnerable classes, namely, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women, in elected bodies of Local Self Governments. Along with these classes, the Divyangs should also be considered for providing reservation so as to ensure their representation in Panchayat and Municipal bodies. New Clauses are to be incorporated in the Articles dealing with reservation of seats in Panchayats and Municipalities in Part IX and Part IXA of the Constitution respectively. The Bill seeks to achieve this objective. HARIS BEERAN MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 15 and Clause 16 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules and the State Government to make regulations for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules and regulations relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of the legislative power is of a normal character. III Bill No. II of 2025 A Bill further to amend the Census Act, 1948. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 1. (1) This Act may be called the Census (Amendment) Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) The Central Government shall, as soon as may be, but not later than three months from the date of enactment of this Act, by notification in the Gazatte bring this Act into force. Amendment of section 3. 2. In the Census Act, 1948 in section 3, the following provisos shall be inserted, namely:— “Provided that at least one census in the whole of India shall be taken in every ten years. Provided further that if the Central Government finds it difficult, for any sufficient reason such as war, natural calamity, pandemic etc., to take census in the whole or any part of India even after expiry of a period of ten years from the last census, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare its intention of taking the census in the whole or any part of India, as the case may be, as soon as the exigency for not conducting the census ceases to be in existence and thereupon the census shall be taken.” 37 of 1948. STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS Conducting the census in whole of the country on a regular interval is a must, as in the absence of a complete census for a long span of time, a majority of country’s population will be unable to access several schemes, benefits and services. Without a systematically collected population data and without having updated information regarding social, political and economic status of different sections of the population, implementation of developmental projects and social welfare schemes would be counterproductive as it may pave way for uneven distribution of resources. Periodical census is a legal imperative for the reason that constitutionally-mandated policies of social justice, which include reservations in electoral constituencies, education and public employments, cannot be pursued effectively without correct population data. Neither the Constitution nor the Census Act, 1948 as it stands today mandates a census to be conducted at a regular interval. However, the census on national level has so far been conducted every ten years. Even the British Government had conducted census in India periodically every ten years without failure since 1881. The first census of Independent India was conducted in 1951 and Government of India continued the practice of conducting national census every ten years without any delay till 2011. The census to be conducted in 2021 was postponed due to pandemic and the country still awaits a nationwide data collection. Ten year is a reasonable span and the population data with all significant information must be updated on the official records in a regular interval of every ten year. This is mandatory to secure social, political and economic justice; and equality of status and of opportunity to all citizens as enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution. Appropriate amendment in the Census Act is required to make this periodical census a legally enforceable obligation on the part of Central Government. Hence, this Bill. HARIS BEERAN. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 17 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. IV Bill No. XCI of 2024 A Bill to define, extend, and protect the rights of individuals availing air carrier services and to prevent their exploitation in terms of air fares, basic amenities, and unjust profits for air service providers and ensure due compensation in case of undue delays, loss or damage of luggage etc. so as to make air travel more affordable, convenient and transparent and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-fifth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Airline Passengers’ Rights Act, 2024. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, — (a) “air carrier” means any airline company registered with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (D.G.C.A.) in India and includes its Chairman and other members of the Board of Directors of the company and Chief Operating Office; (b) “airline" means all commercial flights operating in the country either on domestic or international routes; (c) "compensation" means and includes the payment to be made to the passenger for any inconvenience caused to them due to delay or cancellation of scheduled flights, loss or damage of luggage or any other reason on the part of the airlines while traveling in any airlines; (d) “foreign airline” means an airline that has been issued an Air Operator Certificate by a country other than India to carry out specified commercial air transport operations and which operates commercial flights in India; (e) "frequent flyer" means a passenger who travels by any airlines at least twice a month for business or personal purposes; (f) "passenger" means any person who travels by any airlines for any purpose; and (g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules or regulations made under this Act. CHAPTER II INTERLINE AGREEMENTS AND PROTECTIONS Interline agreements and protections. 3. Not later than one year from the date of the commencement of this Act, the Central Government shall prescribe regulations to facilitate interline agreements and related practices between air carriers and providers of other modes of transportation and establish a complaint and remediation process through which parties may submit complaints and resolve disputes regarding the establishment and implementation of interline agreements, which shall— (i) include provisions to prevent air carriers and other transportation providers from significantly hindering or preventing willing air carriers or other transportation providers from entering into interline agreements or conducting related practices; (ii) require air carriers to explicitly notify passengers when they are eligible to be provided transportation by another air carrier or a provider of another mode of transportation; (iii) require air carriers, after an eligible passenger is notified under clause (ii), to attempt to provide to the passenger transportation through another air carrier or a provider of another mode of transportation, upon the passenger’s request, if the air carrier has an interline agreement with the other air carrier or transportation provider; (iv) prohibit air carriers and other transportation providers from unduly or improperly influencing the decision of a partner, subsidiary, or vendor to enter into an interline agreement, the terms or conditions of such an agreement, or related practices; (v) account for operational records, seat availability, and capacity; (vi) promote competition and public interest; (vii) provide for appropriate penalties and remedies for violations of an interline agreement; and (viii) any other matter related thereto, as may be prescribed. CHAPTER III PASSENGER PROTECTIONS 4. In the event of an airline requiring a passenger to give up their booked seat on a flight operated by the air carrier — (i) the airline shall offer due monetary compensation to a passenger to incentivise them to relinquish their booked seat, in such manner as may be prescribed; and Compensation to passengers for relinquishing their booked seat. (ii) the airline shall be prohibited from imposing a cap on the amount of compensation to be provided to a passenger in exchange for the passenger relinquishing their booked seat. 5. (1) In case a passenger’s flight is delayed or cancelled for any reason within the control of the airline, including but not limited to crew scheduling, routine maintenance, functioning of information technology systems, passenger service issues, issues related to baggage services, issues related to ground handling of aircraft, or other reasons as may be specified by the Central Government, from time to time and – Compensation for delays and cancellation. (a) the passenger’s arrival at their destination is delayed by more than one hour and less than four hours after their originally scheduled arrival time, the airline shall — (i) automatically refund to the passenger the amount they paid for the ticket; and (ii) arrange a seat for the passenger on another flight operated by the airline, or another airline, or on an alternative means of transportation, at no additional expense to the passenger, that results in them arriving at their destination not later than four hours after the original scheduled arrival time; (b) the passenger’s arrival at their destination is delayed by more than four hours after their originally scheduled arrival time, the airline shall –- (i) automatically refund to the passenger the amount they paid for the ticket; (ii) arrange a seat for the passenger on another flight operated by the air carrier, or another airline, or on an alternative means of transportation, at no additional expense to the passenger, that results in them arriving at their destination not later than four hours after the original scheduled arrival time; (iii) provide compensation to the passenger of an amount equivalent to $1350 in Indian rupees as per the prevalent currency exchange rate at that time; and (iv) provide passenger with a complimentary meal free of charge or an amount equal to the cost of a meal or a free coupon to purchase a meal; and (c) the passenger’s departure is delayed until the next day, the airline shall provide the passenger with an amount equal to the cost of hotel lodging in addition to the requirements of sub section (2). (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the authority of an airline to maximize its system capacity during weather-related events to accommodate maximum number of passengers. (3) It shall be deemed as an unfair or deceptive practice for an airline or foreign airline to attribute the delay or cancellation of a flight operated by the airline or by another airline or foreign airline with which the airline has a code sharing or other joint marketing arrangement to a force majeure event unless the delay or cancellation is caused by an event not within the control of the airline operating the flight, such as weather, an act of God, or a war or other hostilities and such airline shall be liable to penalty, as per the provisions of this Act. Adequate seating space for passengers on aircraft. 6. Every airline shall be required to — (i) ensure that seats on their domestic and international aircrafts do not violate the minimum dimensions of seats, including the size, width, and pitch of seats, and the amount of leg room, and the width of aisles, shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government not later than one year from the date of commencement of this Act: Provided that Central Government shall issue rules or regulations in this regard after providing due notice and reasonable opportunity for seeking and obtaining comments from all stakeholders and holding adequate consultations with the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, passenger advocacy organisations, and ergonomic engineers. (ii) prominently display on a publicly available internet website of the airline, the amount of space available for each passenger on a passenger aircraft operated by the airline or by another airline with which the airline has a code sharing or other joint marketing arrangement, including the size, width, and pitch of seats, the amount of leg room, and the width of aisles on such aircraft. Availability of lavatories on passenger aircraft. 7. Each airline and foreign airline shall ensure that each passenger aircraft operated by them maintains sufficient functional lavatories that — (i) are available for use, free of charge, at any time passengers are on board the aircraft, except during takeoff, landing, turbulent weather conditions or any other situation likely to jeopardize passenger safety and as duly informed to them by the aircraft crew; and (ii) can accommodate and is user friendly for persons with disabilities. Availability of potable water on passenger aircraft. 8. Each airline and foreign airline shall ensure that potable water is available, free of charge, to passengers on board the aircraft operated by them. Training on rights of passengers. 9. Every air carrier shall provide, at a frequency of not less than every 180 days, training on the rights of passengers to employees and representatives of the air carrier who directly interact with passengers, including ticket agents, gate agents, pilots, and flight attendants etc.. 10. Not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, and thereafter at such intervals as may be prescribed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation shall submit to the appropriate Committees of Parliament, as may be prescribed, a report, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, assessing — Reporting to the Parliament (i) the quality and safety of food and potable water provided to passengers on passenger aircraft; (ii) whether air carriers ensure that sufficient flight crews and aircraft are available for scheduled flights; (iii) the extent to which not having sufficient flight crews and aircraft available affects scheduled arrival and departure times; and (iv) any other matter, as may be prescribed or as directed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, from time to time. CHAPTER IV CONSUMER PROTECTIONS 11. (1) Every airline shall be prohibited from imposing fees that are unreasonable or disproportional to the costs incurred by the airline including — Protections relating to the imposition of fees that are not reasonable and proportional to the costs incurred. (a) any fee for a change or cancellation of a reservation for a flight in air transportation; (b) any fee relating to checked baggage or carry-on baggage to be transported on a flight; (c) any fee relating to seat selection or reservations on a flight; (d) any fee relating to changing between flights departing on the same day or flying standby on a flight; and (e) any other fee imposed by an air carrier relating to a flight; (2) The Central Government shall, not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, establish standards for assessing whether such fees, as referred to in sub-section (1) are reasonable and proportional to the costs incurred by the airline by taking into consideration the following, namely – (a) with respect to a fee described in clause (a) of sub-section (1) imposed by an airlines for a change or cancellation of a flight reservation — (i) any net benefit or cost to the airline from the change or cancellation, taking into consideration— I. the ability of the airline to anticipate the expected average number of cancellations and changes and make reservations accordingly; II. the ability of the airline to fill a seat made available by a change or cancellation; III. any difference in the fare likely to be paid for a ticket sold to another passenger for a seat made available by the change or cancellation, as compared to the fare paid by the passenger who changed or cancelled the passenger’s reservation; and IV. the likelihood that the passenger changing or cancelling the passenger’s reservation will fill a seat on another flight by the same airline; (ii) the costs of processing the change or cancellation electronically; and (iii) any related labour costs; (b) with respect to a fee described in clause (b) of sub-section (1) imposed by an air carrier relating to checked baggage — (i) the costs of processing checked baggage electronically; and (ii) any related labour costs; and (c) any other considerations that the Central Government may consider appropriate. (3) Not later than two hundred and seventy days from the date of commencement of this Act, and thereafter at such intervals as may be prescribed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation shall lay a report for assessing whether the fees imposed by airlines are reasonable and proportional to their costs based on the standards specified in sub-section (2), in such form and manner as may be prescribed, before each House of Parliament. Protections relating to disclosure of flight information. 12. Every airline shall be prohibited from limiting or withholding information relating to schedules, fares, including the lowest available fare options, fees, availability, and taxes relating to flights in passenger air transportation from consumers and online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. Transparency in pricing of tickets in air transportation . 13. (1) Every airline shall provide useable, current, and accurate information in a user-friendly, accessible form, with respect to fares, applicable taxes, and ancillary fees to ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. (2) Every airline shall allow consumers to purchase tickets and pay for applicable taxes and ancillary fees through ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools; (3) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools shall disclose all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline with respect to a fare that is applicable to the services identified by the purchaser, at any point at which the fare is shown in whole or in part; and (4) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools, through a telephonic communication with a prospective consumer regarding the cost of air transportation, shall inform the consumer of all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline in relation to the air transportation and associated services requested by the consumer, at any point at which the cost of the air transportation is disclosed in whole or in part. Frequent flyer programs, fairness and transparency 14. Not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, the Central Government shall prescribe rules and/or regulations to prevent unfair changes to frequent flyer programs depriving its members of its benefits by — (i) considering the significance of the change to the frequent flyer program’s terms and conditions; (ii) considering the amount of time between the notification provided to a consumer and the date on which the change takes effect; and (iii) requiring each airline that offers a frequent flyer program to disclose, in a standardised format, when offering or enrolling consumers into the program, accurate information regarding the program’s rules, including— (a) the rate at which credits are earned; (b) the minimum number of credits earned per flight; (c) the number of credits needed for each award; (d) any applicable deadlines for redeeming credits; (e) any restrictions on the transferability of earned credit and awards; (f) other conditions and limitations of the program; (g) the percentage of successful redemptions; and (h) frequent flyer seats made available in the top origin and destination markets. 15. In case a passenger’s baggage is lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen, the airline shall – Refunds for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage. (i) promptly provide an automatic refund to a passenger in the amount of any ancillary fee charged by the airline for checked baggage if the passenger’s checked baggage arrives damaged; and (ii) provide notification to a passenger who is impacted by lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage, through the passenger’s chosen method of communication, of the procedure by which the passenger shall obtain a refund and the amount of the refund. 16. All airlines shall notify passengers of their rights and eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections required by law, including by an airline’s contract of carriage, or otherwise available to passenger, which shall include the following, namely— Passenger rights transparency. (i) promptly and expressly notify eligible passengers and the public of their eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections not later than 30 minutes after the airline becomes aware that such passengers have become eligible for such refunds, compensation, and protections; (ii) if such airlines permit passengers and other interested persons to subscribe to flight status notification services— (a) to deliver refunds, compensation, and protection notifications to subscribers to such services, by whatever means the airline offers and which the subscriber chooses; and (b) to incorporate commitments with respect to such services into their customer service plans; (iii) to continuously display information and eligibility requirements for refunds, compensation, and protections, including refunds, compensation, and protections relating to — (a) denied boarding and delays and cancellations (including on international flights); and (b) lost, damaged, or delayed luggage; and (iv) to prominently display passengers’ rights and complaint submission system and the guidelines for escalation on boarding passes, computer-generated boarding passes, and ticketed itineraries, at boarding gates and ticket counters and other prominent places at airports. Powers to make rules 17. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both the Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 10 of the Bill provides that the appropriate Government shall constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee at the State and the Central Level. Clause 11 provides for the grants by the Central Government to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve both non-recurring and recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, at this juncture, it is difficult to estimate the actual expenditure likely to be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 17 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. V Bill No. V of 2025 A Bill to promote wellbeing of full-time, temporary, and contractual employees in their workplace by limiting working hours, fixing leaves, addressing mental health concerns, and ensuring appropriate compensation and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:― CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Employees’ Wellbeing Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― (a) ‘appropriate Government’ means in the case of a State, the Government of that State and in all other cases, the Central Government; (b) ‘employee’ means any person contributing towards activities at an organisation whether by rendering their services or contributing knowledge and includes full-time, part-time, contractual, temporary, seasonal workers, interns or any other form of work arrangement; (c) ‘employer’ means any person or entity employing or engaging one or more employees for any activity or service in an organisation, and includes their representatives, or assigns; (d) ‘night work’ means the duty to be performed by an employee for at least three hours of their working time during the period between twenty hours of a given day to six hours of the next day; (e) ‘night worker’ means any worker who performs night work; (f) ‘organisation’ means any private entity established or located or registered in the country for the purpose of carrying out business, trade, profession, or other economic activities in the organised or unorganised sector; (g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act; (h) ‘recently graduated’ means any person who has completed an educational degree or diploma from a recognised university or school within the last three years and is working in a professional environment for the first time; (i) ‘rest period’ means any period which is not designated as working time; (j) ‘shift work’ means any method of organising work in shifts whereby workers succeed each other at the same work stations according to a certain pattern, including a rotating pattern, and which may involve continuous or discontinuous operations, entailing the need for workers to work at different times over a given period of days or weeks; (k) ‘shift worker’ means any worker whose work schedule is part of shift work; (l) ‘week’ means a consecutive period of seven days; and (m) ‘working time’ means any period during which the employee working is at the employer's disposal and is carrying out his activity or duties as required by the employer, in accordance with national laws and/or practice. CHAPTER II WORKING HOURS, REST PERIODS, AND LEAVES Working hours. 3. (1) No organisation or employer shall require or permit an employee to work for more than forty-two hours in any week. Explanation. ― For the purposes of this sub-section, the total working hours in any week shall be calculated as an average of weekly working hours over a continuous period of four weeks. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), an employer may require an employee to work up to forty-eight hours in a week, subject to the condition that such extended hours shall not be required for more than two days in a calendar month. (3) In case an employee is required to work beyond the prescribed limit of working hours under sub-section (1), such employee shall be entitled to overtime wages as specified in sub-section (3) of section 9. (4) In case of an emergency in an organisation, employer may request an employee to perform work beyond the prescribed working hours, subject to the employee’s consent and such employee shall accordingly be paid in overtime wages. (5) An employee shall have the right to refuse his agreement to work overtime, as may be required by the employer under sub-section (4) or revoke it at any moment. (6) If the working hours of an employee on any day exceeds six hours, then such employee shall be entitled to a rest break as may be prescribed. (7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, every employer shall ensure that an employee gets the minimum hours of rest which shall not be less than: (a) ten consecutive hours of rest in any period of twenty-four hours; and (b) a total of seventy-seven hours of rest in any period of seven days. (8) The provisions of this section shall apply to all forms of employment, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid forms of working. Night work. 4. (1) Where an organisation or employer requires an employee to perform night work, the organization or the employer shall ensure that normal hours of work for night workers do not exceed an average of eight hours in any twenty-four-hour period. (2) For employees engaged in night work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain, the working hours shall not exceed such number of hours in any period of twenty-four hours during which such night work is performed, as may be prescribed. Explanation.– The determination of work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain for the purposes of sub-section (2) shall be made in accordance with rules prescribed under this Act. (3) An employee undertaking night work suffering from health problems recognised as being attributable to such work shall, upon recommendation by a medical practitioner, be transferred whenever possible to day work to which he is suited. Leaves. 5. (1) An organisation or employer shall provide at least forty-five days of leave every year to its employees, whether permanent or temporary: Provided that out of the total number of leaves provided by an organisation or employer, at least thirty days of leaves shall be paid leaves, which shall include medical and menstrual leave also. (2) If a gazetted holiday falls on the day which is already considered a leave by the organisation or employers, such as a weekly off day, the organisation or employer shall provide an additional day of leave to its employees, which shall not be included within the leave entitlement under sub-section (1). (3) An organisation or employer shall determine the distribution of leaves permitted throughout the calendar year for the employees: Provided that the distribution of leave so determined in this sub section shall comply with the provisions of this Act. Right to disconnect. 6. (1) Every employee shall have the right to disconnect from work-related communications in any form, from the organisation or the employer, outside their official working hours. (2) No adverse consequence or disciplinary action shall be imposed upon any employee for exercising his right under sub-section (1). (3) The guidelines for the effective implementation of this section, including measures to address grievances arising from its violation, shall be such as may be prescribed. CHAPTER III PROVISIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH Mental wellbeing check-up services by mental health professionals for employees. 7. (1) Every organisation shall provide for voluntary mental wellbeing check-up services for all employees with professional mental health experts on such interval as may be prescribed, to ensure a healthy work life balance for all employees. (2) Every organisation shall provide mandatory monthly mental wellbeing check-up services for all recently graduated employees with professional mental health experts to ensure a healthy work-life balance for new employees. (3) The mental wellbeing check-up services under sub-section (1) and (2) shall be provided by qualified health professionals who may be either employed in-house or engaged externally through contractual arrangements. (4) The reports from the mental wellbeing check-up sessions shall remain confidential with the mental health professionals conducting such sessions. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (4), the mental health professionals may give their general review of employees’ mental health to the organisation’s administrators, to ensure mental wellbeing of all employees, while maintaining confidentiality of the matter. Guidelines to create a healthy workplace. 8. (1) The appropriate Government shall issue guidelines, on such intervals as may be prescribed to create a healthy workplace, and may include measures for addressing workplace challenges, promoting transparency, fostering ethical practices, and ensuring the physical and mental well-being of employees, in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) Every organisation or employer shall clearly specify guidelines to its employees on growth and promotion opportunities in the workplace to prevent overworking, unfair exclusion of employees, and unfair power dynamics in the workplace. (3) The head of every organisation or employer shall convene meetings at regular intervals with union representatives or other authorised representatives of employees to review and address feedback related to workplace conditions and implement measures for fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace environment. CHAPTER IV WAGES 9. (1) The appropriate Government shall specify the minimum wages for different categories of employees, including stipends for recently-graduated employees, in such manner as may be prescribed: Wages. Provided that the minimum wages specified in this sub-section shall be in consonance with the Code on Wages, 2019 unless otherwise provided in this Act. 29 of 2019. (2) The minimum wage or stipend for an employee prescribed under sub section (1) shall be determined in proportion to the cost of living in the geographical location from where the employee is expected to perform his duties. (3) An employee shall be entitled to overtime wages calculated at twice the hourly rate of his usual remuneration for performing any overtime work beyond forty-two hours in a week. (4) All wages, stipends, and overtime payments payable to an employee under this Act shall be adjusted to the prevailing rate of inflation on a yearly basis in such manner as may be prescribed. CHAPTER V GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL 10. (1) (a) Every organisation employing such minimum number of employees, as may be prescribed, shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation to address any concerns of the employees relating to the provisions of this Act; Grievance redressal committees. and (b) The Grievance Redressal Committee of an organisation shall consist of not less than three and not more than ten members, including— (i) at least one member who is a qualified legal professional; and (ii) at least one external member from the senior management of another organisation in the same sector: Provided that the members of the Grievance Redressal Committee shall be periodically replaced in such manner as may be prescribed. (2)(a) Every State Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a State Grievance Redressal Committee in each State, which shall address complaints escalated to them from the Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation constituted under sub-section (1): Provided that in case of the absence of a Grievance Redressal Committee in the organisation as required under sub-section (1), an employee may submit his complaint directly to the State Grievance Redressal Committee concerned. (b) Any person aggrieved by an order made by the Grievance Redressal Committee of the organisation, may prefer an appeal against such order to the State Grievance Redressal Committee on the grounds of facts or law within such period from the date of the order and in such form and manner, as may be prescribed. (c) The State Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of not more than ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of labour unions; (iii) experienced professionals from diverse industries; and (iv) at least one expert in labour rights, such as an activist, lawyer, or researcher. (3)(a) The Central Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Central Grievance Redressal Committee to address complaints escalated from the State Grievance Redressal Committees or address matters connected thereon or incidental therewith, either referred to it or taken up on suo-moto basis; and (b) The Central Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of national-level labour unions; (iii) professionals with expertise in industries of national relevance; and (iv) at least one academician or researcher in the field of labour rights and employment. (4) The appropriate Government may, by notification, make rules to provide for the qualifications, method of recruitment, procedure for appointment, salaries, term of office, resignation and removal of the members of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. (5) The appropriate Government shall provide the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees with such officers and other employees as may be required to assist them in the discharge of their functions. (6) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and other employees referred in sub section (5) shall be such as may be prescribed. (7) The functions of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees, the mechanism for filing complaint and manner in which the complaint shall be filed and admitted, shall be such as may be prescribed. Grants by the Central Government. 11. (1) The Central Government shall, after due appropriation made by the Parliament, by law in this behalf, provide funds to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees by way of grants, as it may consider necessary, for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may utilize such grants as they deem fit for performing the functions and discharging the duties assigned to them under this Act, and such expenditures shall be treated as payable out of the funds referred to in sub-section (1). (3) The accounts of the funds received and expenditures incurred by the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall be maintained and audited in the manner prescribed by the appropriate Government. 12. The Central and the State Grievance Redressal Committee shall prepare, in such form and at such time, for each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year and forward a copy thereof to the appropriate Government. Annual report. 13. The appropriate Government shall cause the annual report together with the audit report, to be laid, as soon as may be after the reports are received, before each House of Parliament or the State Legislature, as the case may be. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament or the State Legislature. 14. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall, while inquiring into any matter under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely: Powers of the State and Central Grievance Redressal Committees. 5 of 1908. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce the documents or things; (b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding anything inconsistent in any other law for the time being in force, the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, during the inquiry into any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies which is under the control of the Committee, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. (3) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall inquire into any matter in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall maintain a register of complaints containing such particulars and such record of proceedings as may be specified by regulations. 15. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, on the basis of an inquiry made in accordance with the procedure laid down by or under this Act, ― Violation and penalties. (a) impose a monetary penalty for violation of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, which may extend up to ten lakh rupees; and (b) recommend the initiation of criminal prosecution in cases involving severe violations of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, as per the applicable laws. (2) The manner of recovery of the monetary penalty imposed under sub section (1)(a) and the timeframe for disposal of an inquiry initiated under sub section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed. IV. the likelihood that the passenger changing or cancelling the passenger’s reservation will fill a seat on another flight by the same airline; (ii) the costs of processing the change or cancellation electronically; and (iii) any related labour costs; (b) with respect to a fee described in clause (b) of sub-section (1) imposed by an air carrier relating to checked baggage — (i) the costs of processing checked baggage electronically; and (ii) any related labour costs; and (c) any other considerations that the Central Government may consider appropriate. (3) Not later than two hundred and seventy days from the date of commencement of this Act, and thereafter at such intervals as may be prescribed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation shall lay a report for assessing whether the fees imposed by airlines are reasonable and proportional to their costs based on the standards specified in sub-section (2), in such form and manner as may be prescribed, before each House of Parliament. Protections relating to disclosure of flight information. 12. Every airline shall be prohibited from limiting or withholding information relating to schedules, fares, including the lowest available fare options, fees, availability, and taxes relating to flights in passenger air transportation from consumers and online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. Transparency in pricing of tickets in air transportation . 13. (1) Every airline shall provide useable, current, and accurate information in a user-friendly, accessible form, with respect to fares, applicable taxes, and ancillary fees to ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. (2) Every airline shall allow consumers to purchase tickets and pay for applicable taxes and ancillary fees through ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools; (3) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools shall disclose all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline with respect to a fare that is applicable to the services identified by the purchaser, at any point at which the fare is shown in whole or in part; and (4) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools, through a telephonic communication with a prospective consumer regarding the cost of air transportation, shall inform the consumer of all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline in relation to the air transportation and associated services requested by the consumer, at any point at which the cost of the air transportation is disclosed in whole or in part. Frequent flyer programs, fairness and transparency 14. Not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, the Central Government shall prescribe rules and/or regulations to prevent unfair changes to frequent flyer programs depriving its members of its benefits by — (i) considering the significance of the change to the frequent flyer program’s terms and conditions; (ii) considering the amount of time between the notification provided to a consumer and the date on which the change takes effect; and (iii) requiring each airline that offers a frequent flyer program to disclose, in a standardised format, when offering or enrolling consumers into the program, accurate information regarding the program’s rules, including— (a) the rate at which credits are earned; (b) the minimum number of credits earned per flight; (c) the number of credits needed for each award; (d) any applicable deadlines for redeeming credits; (e) any restrictions on the transferability of earned credit and awards; (f) other conditions and limitations of the program; (g) the percentage of successful redemptions; and (h) frequent flyer seats made available in the top origin and destination markets. 15. In case a passenger’s baggage is lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen, the airline shall – Refunds for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage. (i) promptly provide an automatic refund to a passenger in the amount of any ancillary fee charged by the airline for checked baggage if the passenger’s checked baggage arrives damaged; and (ii) provide notification to a passenger who is impacted by lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage, through the passenger’s chosen method of communication, of the procedure by which the passenger shall obtain a refund and the amount of the refund. 16. All airlines shall notify passengers of their rights and eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections required by law, including by an airline’s contract of carriage, or otherwise available to passenger, which shall include the following, namely— Passenger rights transparency. (i) promptly and expressly notify eligible passengers and the public of their eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections not later than 30 minutes after the airline becomes aware that such passengers have become eligible for such refunds, compensation, and protections; (ii) if such airlines permit passengers and other interested persons to subscribe to flight status notification services— (a) to deliver refunds, compensation, and protection notifications to subscribers to such services, by whatever means the airline offers and which the subscriber chooses; and (b) to incorporate commitments with respect to such services into their customer service plans; (iii) to continuously display information and eligibility requirements for refunds, compensation, and protections, including refunds, compensation, and protections relating to — (a) denied boarding and delays and cancellations (including on international flights); and (b) lost, damaged, or delayed luggage; and (iv) to prominently display passengers’ rights and complaint submission system and the guidelines for escalation on boarding passes, computer-generated boarding passes, and ticketed itineraries, at boarding gates and ticket counters and other prominent places at airports. Powers to make rules 17. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both the Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 10 of the Bill provides that the appropriate Government shall constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee at the State and the Central Level. Clause 11 provides for the grants by the Central Government to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve both non-recurring and recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, at this juncture, it is difficult to estimate the actual expenditure likely to be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 17 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. V Bill No. V of 2025 A Bill to promote wellbeing of full-time, temporary, and contractual employees in their workplace by limiting working hours, fixing leaves, addressing mental health concerns, and ensuring appropriate compensation and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:― CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Employees’ Wellbeing Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― (a) ‘appropriate Government’ means in the case of a State, the Government of that State and in all other cases, the Central Government; (b) ‘employee’ means any person contributing towards activities at an organisation whether by rendering their services or contributing knowledge and includes full-time, part-time, contractual, temporary, seasonal workers, interns or any other form of work arrangement; (c) ‘employer’ means any person or entity employing or engaging one or more employees for any activity or service in an organisation, and includes their representatives, or assigns; (d) ‘night work’ means the duty to be performed by an employee for at least three hours of their working time during the period between twenty hours of a given day to six hours of the next day; (e) ‘night worker’ means any worker who performs night work; (f) ‘organisation’ means any private entity established or located or registered in the country for the purpose of carrying out business, trade, profession, or other economic activities in the organised or unorganised sector; (g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act; (h) ‘recently graduated’ means any person who has completed an educational degree or diploma from a recognised university or school within the last three years and is working in a professional environment for the first time; (i) ‘rest period’ means any period which is not designated as working time; (j) ‘shift work’ means any method of organising work in shifts whereby workers succeed each other at the same work stations according to a certain pattern, including a rotating pattern, and which may involve continuous or discontinuous operations, entailing the need for workers to work at different times over a given period of days or weeks; (k) ‘shift worker’ means any worker whose work schedule is part of shift work; (l) ‘week’ means a consecutive period of seven days; and (m) ‘working time’ means any period during which the employee working is at the employer's disposal and is carrying out his activity or duties as required by the employer, in accordance with national laws and/or practice. CHAPTER II WORKING HOURS, REST PERIODS, AND LEAVES Working hours. 3. (1) No organisation or employer shall require or permit an employee to work for more than forty-two hours in any week. Explanation. ― For the purposes of this sub-section, the total working hours in any week shall be calculated as an average of weekly working hours over a continuous period of four weeks. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), an employer may require an employee to work up to forty-eight hours in a week, subject to the condition that such extended hours shall not be required for more than two days in a calendar month. (3) In case an employee is required to work beyond the prescribed limit of working hours under sub-section (1), such employee shall be entitled to overtime wages as specified in sub-section (3) of section 9. (4) In case of an emergency in an organisation, employer may request an employee to perform work beyond the prescribed working hours, subject to the employee’s consent and such employee shall accordingly be paid in overtime wages. (5) An employee shall have the right to refuse his agreement to work overtime, as may be required by the employer under sub-section (4) or revoke it at any moment. (6) If the working hours of an employee on any day exceeds six hours, then such employee shall be entitled to a rest break as may be prescribed. (7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, every employer shall ensure that an employee gets the minimum hours of rest which shall not be less than: (a) ten consecutive hours of rest in any period of twenty-four hours; and (b) a total of seventy-seven hours of rest in any period of seven days. (8) The provisions of this section shall apply to all forms of employment, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid forms of working. Night work. 4. (1) Where an organisation or employer requires an employee to perform night work, the organization or the employer shall ensure that normal hours of work for night workers do not exceed an average of eight hours in any twenty-four-hour period. (2) For employees engaged in night work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain, the working hours shall not exceed such number of hours in any period of twenty-four hours during which such night work is performed, as may be prescribed. Explanation.– The determination of work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain for the purposes of sub-section (2) shall be made in accordance with rules prescribed under this Act. (3) An employee undertaking night work suffering from health problems recognised as being attributable to such work shall, upon recommendation by a medical practitioner, be transferred whenever possible to day work to which he is suited. Leaves. 5. (1) An organisation or employer shall provide at least forty-five days of leave every year to its employees, whether permanent or temporary: Provided that out of the total number of leaves provided by an organisation or employer, at least thirty days of leaves shall be paid leaves, which shall include medical and menstrual leave also. (2) If a gazetted holiday falls on the day which is already considered a leave by the organisation or employers, such as a weekly off day, the organisation or employer shall provide an additional day of leave to its employees, which shall not be included within the leave entitlement under sub-section (1). (3) An organisation or employer shall determine the distribution of leaves permitted throughout the calendar year for the employees: Provided that the distribution of leave so determined in this sub section shall comply with the provisions of this Act. Right to disconnect. 6. (1) Every employee shall have the right to disconnect from work-related communications in any form, from the organisation or the employer, outside their official working hours. (2) No adverse consequence or disciplinary action shall be imposed upon any employee for exercising his right under sub-section (1). (3) The guidelines for the effective implementation of this section, including measures to address grievances arising from its violation, shall be such as may be prescribed. CHAPTER III PROVISIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH Mental wellbeing check-up services by mental health professionals for employees. 7. (1) Every organisation shall provide for voluntary mental wellbeing check-up services for all employees with professional mental health experts on such interval as may be prescribed, to ensure a healthy work life balance for all employees. (2) Every organisation shall provide mandatory monthly mental wellbeing check-up services for all recently graduated employees with professional mental health experts to ensure a healthy work-life balance for new employees. (3) The mental wellbeing check-up services under sub-section (1) and (2) shall be provided by qualified health professionals who may be either employed in-house or engaged externally through contractual arrangements. (4) The reports from the mental wellbeing check-up sessions shall remain confidential with the mental health professionals conducting such sessions. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (4), the mental health professionals may give their general review of employees’ mental health to the organisation’s administrators, to ensure mental wellbeing of all employees, while maintaining confidentiality of the matter. Guidelines to create a healthy workplace. 8. (1) The appropriate Government shall issue guidelines, on such intervals as may be prescribed to create a healthy workplace, and may include measures for addressing workplace challenges, promoting transparency, fostering ethical practices, and ensuring the physical and mental well-being of employees, in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) Every organisation or employer shall clearly specify guidelines to its employees on growth and promotion opportunities in the workplace to prevent overworking, unfair exclusion of employees, and unfair power dynamics in the workplace. (3) The head of every organisation or employer shall convene meetings at regular intervals with union representatives or other authorised representatives of employees to review and address feedback related to workplace conditions and implement measures for fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace environment. CHAPTER IV WAGES 9. (1) The appropriate Government shall specify the minimum wages for different categories of employees, including stipends for recently-graduated employees, in such manner as may be prescribed: Wages. Provided that the minimum wages specified in this sub-section shall be in consonance with the Code on Wages, 2019 unless otherwise provided in this Act. 29 of 2019. (2) The minimum wage or stipend for an employee prescribed under sub section (1) shall be determined in proportion to the cost of living in the geographical location from where the employee is expected to perform his duties. (3) An employee shall be entitled to overtime wages calculated at twice the hourly rate of his usual remuneration for performing any overtime work beyond forty-two hours in a week. (4) All wages, stipends, and overtime payments payable to an employee under this Act shall be adjusted to the prevailing rate of inflation on a yearly basis in such manner as may be prescribed. CHAPTER V GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL 10. (1) (a) Every organisation employing such minimum number of employees, as may be prescribed, shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation to address any concerns of the employees relating to the provisions of this Act; Grievance redressal committees. and (b) The Grievance Redressal Committee of an organisation shall consist of not less than three and not more than ten members, including— (i) at least one member who is a qualified legal professional; and (ii) at least one external member from the senior management of another organisation in the same sector: Provided that the members of the Grievance Redressal Committee shall be periodically replaced in such manner as may be prescribed. (2)(a) Every State Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a State Grievance Redressal Committee in each State, which shall address complaints escalated to them from the Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation constituted under sub-section (1): Provided that in case of the absence of a Grievance Redressal Committee in the organisation as required under sub-section (1), an employee may submit his complaint directly to the State Grievance Redressal Committee concerned. (b) Any person aggrieved by an order made by the Grievance Redressal Committee of the organisation, may prefer an appeal against such order to the State Grievance Redressal Committee on the grounds of facts or law within such period from the date of the order and in such form and manner, as may be prescribed. (c) The State Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of not more than ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of labour unions; (iii) experienced professionals from diverse industries; and (iv) at least one expert in labour rights, such as an activist, lawyer, or researcher. (3)(a) The Central Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Central Grievance Redressal Committee to address complaints escalated from the State Grievance Redressal Committees or address matters connected thereon or incidental therewith, either referred to it or taken up on suo-moto basis; and (b) The Central Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of national-level labour unions; (iii) professionals with expertise in industries of national relevance; and (iv) at least one academician or researcher in the field of labour rights and employment. (4) The appropriate Government may, by notification, make rules to provide for the qualifications, method of recruitment, procedure for appointment, salaries, term of office, resignation and removal of the members of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. (5) The appropriate Government shall provide the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees with such officers and other employees as may be required to assist them in the discharge of their functions. (6) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and other employees referred in sub section (5) shall be such as may be prescribed. (7) The functions of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees, the mechanism for filing complaint and manner in which the complaint shall be filed and admitted, shall be such as may be prescribed. Grants by the Central Government. 11. (1) The Central Government shall, after due appropriation made by the Parliament, by law in this behalf, provide funds to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees by way of grants, as it may consider necessary, for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may utilize such grants as they deem fit for performing the functions and discharging the duties assigned to them under this Act, and such expenditures shall be treated as payable out of the funds referred to in sub-section (1). (3) The accounts of the funds received and expenditures incurred by the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall be maintained and audited in the manner prescribed by the appropriate Government. 12. The Central and the State Grievance Redressal Committee shall prepare, in such form and at such time, for each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year and forward a copy thereof to the appropriate Government. Annual report. 13. The appropriate Government shall cause the annual report together with the audit report, to be laid, as soon as may be after the reports are received, before each House of Parliament or the State Legislature, as the case may be. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament or the State Legislature. 14. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall, while inquiring into any matter under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely: Powers of the State and Central Grievance Redressal Committees. 5 of 1908. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce the documents or things; (b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding anything inconsistent in any other law for the time being in force, the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, during the inquiry into any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies which is under the control of the Committee, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. (3) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall inquire into any matter in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall maintain a register of complaints containing such particulars and such record of proceedings as may be specified by regulations. 15. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, on the basis of an inquiry made in accordance with the procedure laid down by or under this Act, ― Violation and penalties. (a) impose a monetary penalty for violation of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, which may extend up to ten lakh rupees; and (b) recommend the initiation of criminal prosecution in cases involving severe violations of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, as per the applicable laws. (2) The manner of recovery of the monetary penalty imposed under sub section (1)(a) and the timeframe for disposal of an inquiry initiated under sub section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed. IV. the likelihood that the passenger changing or cancelling the passenger’s reservation will fill a seat on another flight by the same airline; (ii) the costs of processing the change or cancellation electronically; and (iii) any related labour costs; (b) with respect to a fee described in clause (b) of sub-section (1) imposed by an air carrier relating to checked baggage — (i) the costs of processing checked baggage electronically; and (ii) any related labour costs; and (c) any other considerations that the Central Government may consider appropriate. (3) Not later than two hundred and seventy days from the date of commencement of this Act, and thereafter at such intervals as may be prescribed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation shall lay a report for assessing whether the fees imposed by airlines are reasonable and proportional to their costs based on the standards specified in sub-section (2), in such form and manner as may be prescribed, before each House of Parliament. Protections relating to disclosure of flight information. 12. Every airline shall be prohibited from limiting or withholding information relating to schedules, fares, including the lowest available fare options, fees, availability, and taxes relating to flights in passenger air transportation from consumers and online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. Transparency in pricing of tickets in air transportation . 13. (1) Every airline shall provide useable, current, and accurate information in a user-friendly, accessible form, with respect to fares, applicable taxes, and ancillary fees to ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. (2) Every airline shall allow consumers to purchase tickets and pay for applicable taxes and ancillary fees through ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools; (3) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools shall disclose all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline with respect to a fare that is applicable to the services identified by the purchaser, at any point at which the fare is shown in whole or in part; and (4) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools, through a telephonic communication with a prospective consumer regarding the cost of air transportation, shall inform the consumer of all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline in relation to the air transportation and associated services requested by the consumer, at any point at which the cost of the air transportation is disclosed in whole or in part. Frequent flyer programs, fairness and transparency 14. Not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, the Central Government shall prescribe rules and/or regulations to prevent unfair changes to frequent flyer programs depriving its members of its benefits by — (i) considering the significance of the change to the frequent flyer program’s terms and conditions; (ii) considering the amount of time between the notification provided to a consumer and the date on which the change takes effect; and (iii) requiring each airline that offers a frequent flyer program to disclose, in a standardised format, when offering or enrolling consumers into the program, accurate information regarding the program’s rules, including— (a) the rate at which credits are earned; (b) the minimum number of credits earned per flight; (c) the number of credits needed for each award; (d) any applicable deadlines for redeeming credits; (e) any restrictions on the transferability of earned credit and awards; (f) other conditions and limitations of the program; (g) the percentage of successful redemptions; and (h) frequent flyer seats made available in the top origin and destination markets. 15. In case a passenger’s baggage is lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen, the airline shall – Refunds for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage. (i) promptly provide an automatic refund to a passenger in the amount of any ancillary fee charged by the airline for checked baggage if the passenger’s checked baggage arrives damaged; and (ii) provide notification to a passenger who is impacted by lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage, through the passenger’s chosen method of communication, of the procedure by which the passenger shall obtain a refund and the amount of the refund. 16. All airlines shall notify passengers of their rights and eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections required by law, including by an airline’s contract of carriage, or otherwise available to passenger, which shall include the following, namely— Passenger rights transparency. (i) promptly and expressly notify eligible passengers and the public of their eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections not later than 30 minutes after the airline becomes aware that such passengers have become eligible for such refunds, compensation, and protections; (ii) if such airlines permit passengers and other interested persons to subscribe to flight status notification services— (a) to deliver refunds, compensation, and protection notifications to subscribers to such services, by whatever means the airline offers and which the subscriber chooses; and (b) to incorporate commitments with respect to such services into their customer service plans; (iii) to continuously display information and eligibility requirements for refunds, compensation, and protections, including refunds, compensation, and protections relating to — (a) denied boarding and delays and cancellations (including on international flights); and (b) lost, damaged, or delayed luggage; and (iv) to prominently display passengers’ rights and complaint submission system and the guidelines for escalation on boarding passes, computer-generated boarding passes, and ticketed itineraries, at boarding gates and ticket counters and other prominent places at airports. Powers to make rules 17. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both the Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 10 of the Bill provides that the appropriate Government shall constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee at the State and the Central Level. Clause 11 provides for the grants by the Central Government to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve both non-recurring and recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, at this juncture, it is difficult to estimate the actual expenditure likely to be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 17 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. V Bill No. V of 2025 A Bill to promote wellbeing of full-time, temporary, and contractual employees in their workplace by limiting working hours, fixing leaves, addressing mental health concerns, and ensuring appropriate compensation and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:― CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Employees’ Wellbeing Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― (a) ‘appropriate Government’ means in the case of a State, the Government of that State and in all other cases, the Central Government; (b) ‘employee’ means any person contributing towards activities at an organisation whether by rendering their services or contributing knowledge and includes full-time, part-time, contractual, temporary, seasonal workers, interns or any other form of work arrangement; (c) ‘employer’ means any person or entity employing or engaging one or more employees for any activity or service in an organisation, and includes their representatives, or assigns; (d) ‘night work’ means the duty to be performed by an employee for at least three hours of their working time during the period between twenty hours of a given day to six hours of the next day; (e) ‘night worker’ means any worker who performs night work; (f) ‘organisation’ means any private entity established or located or registered in the country for the purpose of carrying out business, trade, profession, or other economic activities in the organised or unorganised sector; (g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act; (h) ‘recently graduated’ means any person who has completed an educational degree or diploma from a recognised university or school within the last three years and is working in a professional environment for the first time; (i) ‘rest period’ means any period which is not designated as working time; (j) ‘shift work’ means any method of organising work in shifts whereby workers succeed each other at the same work stations according to a certain pattern, including a rotating pattern, and which may involve continuous or discontinuous operations, entailing the need for workers to work at different times over a given period of days or weeks; (k) ‘shift worker’ means any worker whose work schedule is part of shift work; (l) ‘week’ means a consecutive period of seven days; and (m) ‘working time’ means any period during which the employee working is at the employer's disposal and is carrying out his activity or duties as required by the employer, in accordance with national laws and/or practice. CHAPTER II WORKING HOURS, REST PERIODS, AND LEAVES Working hours. 3. (1) No organisation or employer shall require or permit an employee to work for more than forty-two hours in any week. Explanation. ― For the purposes of this sub-section, the total working hours in any week shall be calculated as an average of weekly working hours over a continuous period of four weeks. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), an employer may require an employee to work up to forty-eight hours in a week, subject to the condition that such extended hours shall not be required for more than two days in a calendar month. (3) In case an employee is required to work beyond the prescribed limit of working hours under sub-section (1), such employee shall be entitled to overtime wages as specified in sub-section (3) of section 9. (4) In case of an emergency in an organisation, employer may request an employee to perform work beyond the prescribed working hours, subject to the employee’s consent and such employee shall accordingly be paid in overtime wages. (5) An employee shall have the right to refuse his agreement to work overtime, as may be required by the employer under sub-section (4) or revoke it at any moment. (6) If the working hours of an employee on any day exceeds six hours, then such employee shall be entitled to a rest break as may be prescribed. (7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, every employer shall ensure that an employee gets the minimum hours of rest which shall not be less than: (a) ten consecutive hours of rest in any period of twenty-four hours; and (b) a total of seventy-seven hours of rest in any period of seven days. (8) The provisions of this section shall apply to all forms of employment, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid forms of working. Night work. 4. (1) Where an organisation or employer requires an employee to perform night work, the organization or the employer shall ensure that normal hours of work for night workers do not exceed an average of eight hours in any twenty-four-hour period. (2) For employees engaged in night work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain, the working hours shall not exceed such number of hours in any period of twenty-four hours during which such night work is performed, as may be prescribed. Explanation.– The determination of work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain for the purposes of sub-section (2) shall be made in accordance with rules prescribed under this Act. (3) An employee undertaking night work suffering from health problems recognised as being attributable to such work shall, upon recommendation by a medical practitioner, be transferred whenever possible to day work to which he is suited. Leaves. 5. (1) An organisation or employer shall provide at least forty-five days of leave every year to its employees, whether permanent or temporary: Provided that out of the total number of leaves provided by an organisation or employer, at least thirty days of leaves shall be paid leaves, which shall include medical and menstrual leave also. (2) If a gazetted holiday falls on the day which is already considered a leave by the organisation or employers, such as a weekly off day, the organisation or employer shall provide an additional day of leave to its employees, which shall not be included within the leave entitlement under sub-section (1). (3) An organisation or employer shall determine the distribution of leaves permitted throughout the calendar year for the employees: Provided that the distribution of leave so determined in this sub section shall comply with the provisions of this Act. Right to disconnect. 6. (1) Every employee shall have the right to disconnect from work-related communications in any form, from the organisation or the employer, outside their official working hours. (2) No adverse consequence or disciplinary action shall be imposed upon any employee for exercising his right under sub-section (1). (3) The guidelines for the effective implementation of this section, including measures to address grievances arising from its violation, shall be such as may be prescribed. CHAPTER III PROVISIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH Mental wellbeing check-up services by mental health professionals for employees. 7. (1) Every organisation shall provide for voluntary mental wellbeing check-up services for all employees with professional mental health experts on such interval as may be prescribed, to ensure a healthy work life balance for all employees. (2) Every organisation shall provide mandatory monthly mental wellbeing check-up services for all recently graduated employees with professional mental health experts to ensure a healthy work-life balance for new employees. (3) The mental wellbeing check-up services under sub-section (1) and (2) shall be provided by qualified health professionals who may be either employed in-house or engaged externally through contractual arrangements. (4) The reports from the mental wellbeing check-up sessions shall remain confidential with the mental health professionals conducting such sessions. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (4), the mental health professionals may give their general review of employees’ mental health to the organisation’s administrators, to ensure mental wellbeing of all employees, while maintaining confidentiality of the matter. Guidelines to create a healthy workplace. 8. (1) The appropriate Government shall issue guidelines, on such intervals as may be prescribed to create a healthy workplace, and may include measures for addressing workplace challenges, promoting transparency, fostering ethical practices, and ensuring the physical and mental well-being of employees, in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) Every organisation or employer shall clearly specify guidelines to its employees on growth and promotion opportunities in the workplace to prevent overworking, unfair exclusion of employees, and unfair power dynamics in the workplace. (3) The head of every organisation or employer shall convene meetings at regular intervals with union representatives or other authorised representatives of employees to review and address feedback related to workplace conditions and implement measures for fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace environment. CHAPTER IV WAGES 9. (1) The appropriate Government shall specify the minimum wages for different categories of employees, including stipends for recently-graduated employees, in such manner as may be prescribed: Wages. Provided that the minimum wages specified in this sub-section shall be in consonance with the Code on Wages, 2019 unless otherwise provided in this Act. 29 of 2019. (2) The minimum wage or stipend for an employee prescribed under sub section (1) shall be determined in proportion to the cost of living in the geographical location from where the employee is expected to perform his duties. (3) An employee shall be entitled to overtime wages calculated at twice the hourly rate of his usual remuneration for performing any overtime work beyond forty-two hours in a week. (4) All wages, stipends, and overtime payments payable to an employee under this Act shall be adjusted to the prevailing rate of inflation on a yearly basis in such manner as may be prescribed. CHAPTER V GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL 10. (1) (a) Every organisation employing such minimum number of employees, as may be prescribed, shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation to address any concerns of the employees relating to the provisions of this Act; Grievance redressal committees. and (b) The Grievance Redressal Committee of an organisation shall consist of not less than three and not more than ten members, including— (i) at least one member who is a qualified legal professional; and (ii) at least one external member from the senior management of another organisation in the same sector: Provided that the members of the Grievance Redressal Committee shall be periodically replaced in such manner as may be prescribed. (2)(a) Every State Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a State Grievance Redressal Committee in each State, which shall address complaints escalated to them from the Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation constituted under sub-section (1): Provided that in case of the absence of a Grievance Redressal Committee in the organisation as required under sub-section (1), an employee may submit his complaint directly to the State Grievance Redressal Committee concerned. (b) Any person aggrieved by an order made by the Grievance Redressal Committee of the organisation, may prefer an appeal against such order to the State Grievance Redressal Committee on the grounds of facts or law within such period from the date of the order and in such form and manner, as may be prescribed. (c) The State Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of not more than ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of labour unions; (iii) experienced professionals from diverse industries; and (iv) at least one expert in labour rights, such as an activist, lawyer, or researcher. (3)(a) The Central Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Central Grievance Redressal Committee to address complaints escalated from the State Grievance Redressal Committees or address matters connected thereon or incidental therewith, either referred to it or taken up on suo-moto basis; and (b) The Central Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of national-level labour unions; (iii) professionals with expertise in industries of national relevance; and (iv) at least one academician or researcher in the field of labour rights and employment. (4) The appropriate Government may, by notification, make rules to provide for the qualifications, method of recruitment, procedure for appointment, salaries, term of office, resignation and removal of the members of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. (5) The appropriate Government shall provide the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees with such officers and other employees as may be required to assist them in the discharge of their functions. (6) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and other employees referred in sub section (5) shall be such as may be prescribed. (7) The functions of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees, the mechanism for filing complaint and manner in which the complaint shall be filed and admitted, shall be such as may be prescribed. Grants by the Central Government. 11. (1) The Central Government shall, after due appropriation made by the Parliament, by law in this behalf, provide funds to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees by way of grants, as it may consider necessary, for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may utilize such grants as they deem fit for performing the functions and discharging the duties assigned to them under this Act, and such expenditures shall be treated as payable out of the funds referred to in sub-section (1). (3) The accounts of the funds received and expenditures incurred by the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall be maintained and audited in the manner prescribed by the appropriate Government. 12. The Central and the State Grievance Redressal Committee shall prepare, in such form and at such time, for each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year and forward a copy thereof to the appropriate Government. Annual report. 13. The appropriate Government shall cause the annual report together with the audit report, to be laid, as soon as may be after the reports are received, before each House of Parliament or the State Legislature, as the case may be. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament or the State Legislature. 14. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall, while inquiring into any matter under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely: Powers of the State and Central Grievance Redressal Committees. 5 of 1908. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce the documents or things; (b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding anything inconsistent in any other law for the time being in force, the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, during the inquiry into any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies which is under the control of the Committee, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. (3) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall inquire into any matter in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall maintain a register of complaints containing such particulars and such record of proceedings as may be specified by regulations. 15. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, on the basis of an inquiry made in accordance with the procedure laid down by or under this Act, ― Violation and penalties. (a) impose a monetary penalty for violation of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, which may extend up to ten lakh rupees; and (b) recommend the initiation of criminal prosecution in cases involving severe violations of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, as per the applicable laws. (2) The manner of recovery of the monetary penalty imposed under sub section (1)(a) and the timeframe for disposal of an inquiry initiated under sub section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed. IV. the likelihood that the passenger changing or cancelling the passenger’s reservation will fill a seat on another flight by the same airline; (ii) the costs of processing the change or cancellation electronically; and (iii) any related labour costs; (b) with respect to a fee described in clause (b) of sub-section (1) imposed by an air carrier relating to checked baggage — (i) the costs of processing checked baggage electronically; and (ii) any related labour costs; and (c) any other considerations that the Central Government may consider appropriate. (3) Not later than two hundred and seventy days from the date of commencement of this Act, and thereafter at such intervals as may be prescribed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation shall lay a report for assessing whether the fees imposed by airlines are reasonable and proportional to their costs based on the standards specified in sub-section (2), in such form and manner as may be prescribed, before each House of Parliament. Protections relating to disclosure of flight information. 12. Every airline shall be prohibited from limiting or withholding information relating to schedules, fares, including the lowest available fare options, fees, availability, and taxes relating to flights in passenger air transportation from consumers and online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. Transparency in pricing of tickets in air transportation . 13. (1) Every airline shall provide useable, current, and accurate information in a user-friendly, accessible form, with respect to fares, applicable taxes, and ancillary fees to ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. (2) Every airline shall allow consumers to purchase tickets and pay for applicable taxes and ancillary fees through ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools; (3) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools shall disclose all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline with respect to a fare that is applicable to the services identified by the purchaser, at any point at which the fare is shown in whole or in part; and (4) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools, through a telephonic communication with a prospective consumer regarding the cost of air transportation, shall inform the consumer of all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline in relation to the air transportation and associated services requested by the consumer, at any point at which the cost of the air transportation is disclosed in whole or in part. Frequent flyer programs, fairness and transparency 14. Not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, the Central Government shall prescribe rules and/or regulations to prevent unfair changes to frequent flyer programs depriving its members of its benefits by — (i) considering the significance of the change to the frequent flyer program’s terms and conditions; (ii) considering the amount of time between the notification provided to a consumer and the date on which the change takes effect; and (iii) requiring each airline that offers a frequent flyer program to disclose, in a standardised format, when offering or enrolling consumers into the program, accurate information regarding the program’s rules, including— (a) the rate at which credits are earned; (b) the minimum number of credits earned per flight; (c) the number of credits needed for each award; (d) any applicable deadlines for redeeming credits; (e) any restrictions on the transferability of earned credit and awards; (f) other conditions and limitations of the program; (g) the percentage of successful redemptions; and (h) frequent flyer seats made available in the top origin and destination markets. 15. In case a passenger’s baggage is lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen, the airline shall – Refunds for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage. (i) promptly provide an automatic refund to a passenger in the amount of any ancillary fee charged by the airline for checked baggage if the passenger’s checked baggage arrives damaged; and (ii) provide notification to a passenger who is impacted by lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage, through the passenger’s chosen method of communication, of the procedure by which the passenger shall obtain a refund and the amount of the refund. 16. All airlines shall notify passengers of their rights and eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections required by law, including by an airline’s contract of carriage, or otherwise available to passenger, which shall include the following, namely— Passenger rights transparency. (i) promptly and expressly notify eligible passengers and the public of their eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections not later than 30 minutes after the airline becomes aware that such passengers have become eligible for such refunds, compensation, and protections; (ii) if such airlines permit passengers and other interested persons to subscribe to flight status notification services— (a) to deliver refunds, compensation, and protection notifications to subscribers to such services, by whatever means the airline offers and which the subscriber chooses; and (b) to incorporate commitments with respect to such services into their customer service plans; (iii) to continuously display information and eligibility requirements for refunds, compensation, and protections, including refunds, compensation, and protections relating to — (a) denied boarding and delays and cancellations (including on international flights); and (b) lost, damaged, or delayed luggage; and (iv) to prominently display passengers’ rights and complaint submission system and the guidelines for escalation on boarding passes, computer-generated boarding passes, and ticketed itineraries, at boarding gates and ticket counters and other prominent places at airports. Powers to make rules 17. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both the Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 10 of the Bill provides that the appropriate Government shall constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee at the State and the Central Level. Clause 11 provides for the grants by the Central Government to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve both non-recurring and recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, at this juncture, it is difficult to estimate the actual expenditure likely to be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 17 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. V Bill No. V of 2025 A Bill to promote wellbeing of full-time, temporary, and contractual employees in their workplace by limiting working hours, fixing leaves, addressing mental health concerns, and ensuring appropriate compensation and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:― CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Employees’ Wellbeing Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― (a) ‘appropriate Government’ means in the case of a State, the Government of that State and in all other cases, the Central Government; (b) ‘employee’ means any person contributing towards activities at an organisation whether by rendering their services or contributing knowledge and includes full-time, part-time, contractual, temporary, seasonal workers, interns or any other form of work arrangement; (c) ‘employer’ means any person or entity employing or engaging one or more employees for any activity or service in an organisation, and includes their representatives, or assigns; (d) ‘night work’ means the duty to be performed by an employee for at least three hours of their working time during the period between twenty hours of a given day to six hours of the next day; (e) ‘night worker’ means any worker who performs night work; (f) ‘organisation’ means any private entity established or located or registered in the country for the purpose of carrying out business, trade, profession, or other economic activities in the organised or unorganised sector; (g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act; (h) ‘recently graduated’ means any person who has completed an educational degree or diploma from a recognised university or school within the last three years and is working in a professional environment for the first time; (i) ‘rest period’ means any period which is not designated as working time; (j) ‘shift work’ means any method of organising work in shifts whereby workers succeed each other at the same work stations according to a certain pattern, including a rotating pattern, and which may involve continuous or discontinuous operations, entailing the need for workers to work at different times over a given period of days or weeks; (k) ‘shift worker’ means any worker whose work schedule is part of shift work; (l) ‘week’ means a consecutive period of seven days; and (m) ‘working time’ means any period during which the employee working is at the employer's disposal and is carrying out his activity or duties as required by the employer, in accordance with national laws and/or practice. CHAPTER II WORKING HOURS, REST PERIODS, AND LEAVES Working hours. 3. (1) No organisation or employer shall require or permit an employee to work for more than forty-two hours in any week. Explanation. ― For the purposes of this sub-section, the total working hours in any week shall be calculated as an average of weekly working hours over a continuous period of four weeks. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), an employer may require an employee to work up to forty-eight hours in a week, subject to the condition that such extended hours shall not be required for more than two days in a calendar month. (3) In case an employee is required to work beyond the prescribed limit of working hours under sub-section (1), such employee shall be entitled to overtime wages as specified in sub-section (3) of section 9. (4) In case of an emergency in an organisation, employer may request an employee to perform work beyond the prescribed working hours, subject to the employee’s consent and such employee shall accordingly be paid in overtime wages. (5) An employee shall have the right to refuse his agreement to work overtime, as may be required by the employer under sub-section (4) or revoke it at any moment. (6) If the working hours of an employee on any day exceeds six hours, then such employee shall be entitled to a rest break as may be prescribed. (7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, every employer shall ensure that an employee gets the minimum hours of rest which shall not be less than: (a) ten consecutive hours of rest in any period of twenty-four hours; and (b) a total of seventy-seven hours of rest in any period of seven days. (8) The provisions of this section shall apply to all forms of employment, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid forms of working. Night work. 4. (1) Where an organisation or employer requires an employee to perform night work, the organization or the employer shall ensure that normal hours of work for night workers do not exceed an average of eight hours in any twenty-four-hour period. (2) For employees engaged in night work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain, the working hours shall not exceed such number of hours in any period of twenty-four hours during which such night work is performed, as may be prescribed. Explanation.– The determination of work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain for the purposes of sub-section (2) shall be made in accordance with rules prescribed under this Act. (3) An employee undertaking night work suffering from health problems recognised as being attributable to such work shall, upon recommendation by a medical practitioner, be transferred whenever possible to day work to which he is suited. Leaves. 5. (1) An organisation or employer shall provide at least forty-five days of leave every year to its employees, whether permanent or temporary: Provided that out of the total number of leaves provided by an organisation or employer, at least thirty days of leaves shall be paid leaves, which shall include medical and menstrual leave also. (2) If a gazetted holiday falls on the day which is already considered a leave by the organisation or employers, such as a weekly off day, the organisation or employer shall provide an additional day of leave to its employees, which shall not be included within the leave entitlement under sub-section (1). (3) An organisation or employer shall determine the distribution of leaves permitted throughout the calendar year for the employees: Provided that the distribution of leave so determined in this sub section shall comply with the provisions of this Act. Right to disconnect. 6. (1) Every employee shall have the right to disconnect from work-related communications in any form, from the organisation or the employer, outside their official working hours. (2) No adverse consequence or disciplinary action shall be imposed upon any employee for exercising his right under sub-section (1). (3) The guidelines for the effective implementation of this section, including measures to address grievances arising from its violation, shall be such as may be prescribed. CHAPTER III PROVISIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH Mental wellbeing check-up services by mental health professionals for employees. 7. (1) Every organisation shall provide for voluntary mental wellbeing check-up services for all employees with professional mental health experts on such interval as may be prescribed, to ensure a healthy work life balance for all employees. (2) Every organisation shall provide mandatory monthly mental wellbeing check-up services for all recently graduated employees with professional mental health experts to ensure a healthy work-life balance for new employees. (3) The mental wellbeing check-up services under sub-section (1) and (2) shall be provided by qualified health professionals who may be either employed in-house or engaged externally through contractual arrangements. (4) The reports from the mental wellbeing check-up sessions shall remain confidential with the mental health professionals conducting such sessions. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (4), the mental health professionals may give their general review of employees’ mental health to the organisation’s administrators, to ensure mental wellbeing of all employees, while maintaining confidentiality of the matter. Guidelines to create a healthy workplace. 8. (1) The appropriate Government shall issue guidelines, on such intervals as may be prescribed to create a healthy workplace, and may include measures for addressing workplace challenges, promoting transparency, fostering ethical practices, and ensuring the physical and mental well-being of employees, in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) Every organisation or employer shall clearly specify guidelines to its employees on growth and promotion opportunities in the workplace to prevent overworking, unfair exclusion of employees, and unfair power dynamics in the workplace. (3) The head of every organisation or employer shall convene meetings at regular intervals with union representatives or other authorised representatives of employees to review and address feedback related to workplace conditions and implement measures for fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace environment. CHAPTER IV WAGES 9. (1) The appropriate Government shall specify the minimum wages for different categories of employees, including stipends for recently-graduated employees, in such manner as may be prescribed: Wages. Provided that the minimum wages specified in this sub-section shall be in consonance with the Code on Wages, 2019 unless otherwise provided in this Act. 29 of 2019. (2) The minimum wage or stipend for an employee prescribed under sub section (1) shall be determined in proportion to the cost of living in the geographical location from where the employee is expected to perform his duties. (3) An employee shall be entitled to overtime wages calculated at twice the hourly rate of his usual remuneration for performing any overtime work beyond forty-two hours in a week. (4) All wages, stipends, and overtime payments payable to an employee under this Act shall be adjusted to the prevailing rate of inflation on a yearly basis in such manner as may be prescribed. CHAPTER V GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL 10. (1) (a) Every organisation employing such minimum number of employees, as may be prescribed, shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation to address any concerns of the employees relating to the provisions of this Act; Grievance redressal committees. and (b) The Grievance Redressal Committee of an organisation shall consist of not less than three and not more than ten members, including— (i) at least one member who is a qualified legal professional; and (ii) at least one external member from the senior management of another organisation in the same sector: Provided that the members of the Grievance Redressal Committee shall be periodically replaced in such manner as may be prescribed. (2)(a) Every State Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a State Grievance Redressal Committee in each State, which shall address complaints escalated to them from the Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation constituted under sub-section (1): Provided that in case of the absence of a Grievance Redressal Committee in the organisation as required under sub-section (1), an employee may submit his complaint directly to the State Grievance Redressal Committee concerned. (b) Any person aggrieved by an order made by the Grievance Redressal Committee of the organisation, may prefer an appeal against such order to the State Grievance Redressal Committee on the grounds of facts or law within such period from the date of the order and in such form and manner, as may be prescribed. (c) The State Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of not more than ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of labour unions; (iii) experienced professionals from diverse industries; and (iv) at least one expert in labour rights, such as an activist, lawyer, or researcher. (3)(a) The Central Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Central Grievance Redressal Committee to address complaints escalated from the State Grievance Redressal Committees or address matters connected thereon or incidental therewith, either referred to it or taken up on suo-moto basis; and (b) The Central Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of national-level labour unions; (iii) professionals with expertise in industries of national relevance; and (iv) at least one academician or researcher in the field of labour rights and employment. (4) The appropriate Government may, by notification, make rules to provide for the qualifications, method of recruitment, procedure for appointment, salaries, term of office, resignation and removal of the members of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. (5) The appropriate Government shall provide the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees with such officers and other employees as may be required to assist them in the discharge of their functions. (6) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and other employees referred in sub section (5) shall be such as may be prescribed. (7) The functions of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees, the mechanism for filing complaint and manner in which the complaint shall be filed and admitted, shall be such as may be prescribed. Grants by the Central Government. 11. (1) The Central Government shall, after due appropriation made by the Parliament, by law in this behalf, provide funds to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees by way of grants, as it may consider necessary, for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may utilize such grants as they deem fit for performing the functions and discharging the duties assigned to them under this Act, and such expenditures shall be treated as payable out of the funds referred to in sub-section (1). (3) The accounts of the funds received and expenditures incurred by the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall be maintained and audited in the manner prescribed by the appropriate Government. 12. The Central and the State Grievance Redressal Committee shall prepare, in such form and at such time, for each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year and forward a copy thereof to the appropriate Government. Annual report. 13. The appropriate Government shall cause the annual report together with the audit report, to be laid, as soon as may be after the reports are received, before each House of Parliament or the State Legislature, as the case may be. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament or the State Legislature. 14. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall, while inquiring into any matter under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely: Powers of the State and Central Grievance Redressal Committees. 5 of 1908. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce the documents or things; (b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding anything inconsistent in any other law for the time being in force, the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, during the inquiry into any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies which is under the control of the Committee, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. (3) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall inquire into any matter in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall maintain a register of complaints containing such particulars and such record of proceedings as may be specified by regulations. 15. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, on the basis of an inquiry made in accordance with the procedure laid down by or under this Act, ― Violation and penalties. (a) impose a monetary penalty for violation of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, which may extend up to ten lakh rupees; and (b) recommend the initiation of criminal prosecution in cases involving severe violations of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, as per the applicable laws. (2) The manner of recovery of the monetary penalty imposed under sub section (1)(a) and the timeframe for disposal of an inquiry initiated under sub section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed. IV. the likelihood that the passenger changing or cancelling the passenger’s reservation will fill a seat on another flight by the same airline; (ii) the costs of processing the change or cancellation electronically; and (iii) any related labour costs; (b) with respect to a fee described in clause (b) of sub-section (1) imposed by an air carrier relating to checked baggage — (i) the costs of processing checked baggage electronically; and (ii) any related labour costs; and (c) any other considerations that the Central Government may consider appropriate. (3) Not later than two hundred and seventy days from the date of commencement of this Act, and thereafter at such intervals as may be prescribed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation shall lay a report for assessing whether the fees imposed by airlines are reasonable and proportional to their costs based on the standards specified in sub-section (2), in such form and manner as may be prescribed, before each House of Parliament. Protections relating to disclosure of flight information. 12. Every airline shall be prohibited from limiting or withholding information relating to schedules, fares, including the lowest available fare options, fees, availability, and taxes relating to flights in passenger air transportation from consumers and online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. Transparency in pricing of tickets in air transportation . 13. (1) Every airline shall provide useable, current, and accurate information in a user-friendly, accessible form, with respect to fares, applicable taxes, and ancillary fees to ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools. (2) Every airline shall allow consumers to purchase tickets and pay for applicable taxes and ancillary fees through ticket agents, online travel agents, and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools; (3) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools shall disclose all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline with respect to a fare that is applicable to the services identified by the purchaser, at any point at which the fare is shown in whole or in part; and (4) Every Airline, ticket agents online travel agents and metasearch engines that provide flight search tools, through a telephonic communication with a prospective consumer regarding the cost of air transportation, shall inform the consumer of all applicable taxes and any ancillary fees charged by an airline in relation to the air transportation and associated services requested by the consumer, at any point at which the cost of the air transportation is disclosed in whole or in part. Frequent flyer programs, fairness and transparency 14. Not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, the Central Government shall prescribe rules and/or regulations to prevent unfair changes to frequent flyer programs depriving its members of its benefits by — (i) considering the significance of the change to the frequent flyer program’s terms and conditions; (ii) considering the amount of time between the notification provided to a consumer and the date on which the change takes effect; and (iii) requiring each airline that offers a frequent flyer program to disclose, in a standardised format, when offering or enrolling consumers into the program, accurate information regarding the program’s rules, including— (a) the rate at which credits are earned; (b) the minimum number of credits earned per flight; (c) the number of credits needed for each award; (d) any applicable deadlines for redeeming credits; (e) any restrictions on the transferability of earned credit and awards; (f) other conditions and limitations of the program; (g) the percentage of successful redemptions; and (h) frequent flyer seats made available in the top origin and destination markets. 15. In case a passenger’s baggage is lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen, the airline shall – Refunds for lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage. (i) promptly provide an automatic refund to a passenger in the amount of any ancillary fee charged by the airline for checked baggage if the passenger’s checked baggage arrives damaged; and (ii) provide notification to a passenger who is impacted by lost, damaged, delayed, or stolen baggage, through the passenger’s chosen method of communication, of the procedure by which the passenger shall obtain a refund and the amount of the refund. 16. All airlines shall notify passengers of their rights and eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections required by law, including by an airline’s contract of carriage, or otherwise available to passenger, which shall include the following, namely— Passenger rights transparency. (i) promptly and expressly notify eligible passengers and the public of their eligibility for refunds, compensation, and protections not later than 30 minutes after the airline becomes aware that such passengers have become eligible for such refunds, compensation, and protections; (ii) if such airlines permit passengers and other interested persons to subscribe to flight status notification services— (a) to deliver refunds, compensation, and protection notifications to subscribers to such services, by whatever means the airline offers and which the subscriber chooses; and (b) to incorporate commitments with respect to such services into their customer service plans; (iii) to continuously display information and eligibility requirements for refunds, compensation, and protections, including refunds, compensation, and protections relating to — (a) denied boarding and delays and cancellations (including on international flights); and (b) lost, damaged, or delayed luggage; and (iv) to prominently display passengers’ rights and complaint submission system and the guidelines for escalation on boarding passes, computer-generated boarding passes, and ticketed itineraries, at boarding gates and ticket counters and other prominent places at airports. Powers to make rules 17. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both the Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 10 of the Bill provides that the appropriate Government shall constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee at the State and the Central Level. Clause 11 provides for the grants by the Central Government to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve both non-recurring and recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, at this juncture, it is difficult to estimate the actual expenditure likely to be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 17 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. V Bill No. V of 2025 A Bill to promote wellbeing of full-time, temporary, and contractual employees in their workplace by limiting working hours, fixing leaves, addressing mental health concerns, and ensuring appropriate compensation and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:― CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Employees’ Wellbeing Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― (a) ‘appropriate Government’ means in the case of a State, the Government of that State and in all other cases, the Central Government; (b) ‘employee’ means any person contributing towards activities at an organisation whether by rendering their services or contributing knowledge and includes full-time, part-time, contractual, temporary, seasonal workers, interns or any other form of work arrangement; (c) ‘employer’ means any person or entity employing or engaging one or more employees for any activity or service in an organisation, and includes their representatives, or assigns; (d) ‘night work’ means the duty to be performed by an employee for at least three hours of their working time during the period between twenty hours of a given day to six hours of the next day; (e) ‘night worker’ means any worker who performs night work; (f) ‘organisation’ means any private entity established or located or registered in the country for the purpose of carrying out business, trade, profession, or other economic activities in the organised or unorganised sector; (g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act; (h) ‘recently graduated’ means any person who has completed an educational degree or diploma from a recognised university or school within the last three years and is working in a professional environment for the first time; (i) ‘rest period’ means any period which is not designated as working time; (j) ‘shift work’ means any method of organising work in shifts whereby workers succeed each other at the same work stations according to a certain pattern, including a rotating pattern, and which may involve continuous or discontinuous operations, entailing the need for workers to work at different times over a given period of days or weeks; (k) ‘shift worker’ means any worker whose work schedule is part of shift work; (l) ‘week’ means a consecutive period of seven days; and (m) ‘working time’ means any period during which the employee working is at the employer's disposal and is carrying out his activity or duties as required by the employer, in accordance with national laws and/or practice. CHAPTER II WORKING HOURS, REST PERIODS, AND LEAVES Working hours. 3. (1) No organisation or employer shall require or permit an employee to work for more than forty-two hours in any week. Explanation. ― For the purposes of this sub-section, the total working hours in any week shall be calculated as an average of weekly working hours over a continuous period of four weeks. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), an employer may require an employee to work up to forty-eight hours in a week, subject to the condition that such extended hours shall not be required for more than two days in a calendar month. (3) In case an employee is required to work beyond the prescribed limit of working hours under sub-section (1), such employee shall be entitled to overtime wages as specified in sub-section (3) of section 9. (4) In case of an emergency in an organisation, employer may request an employee to perform work beyond the prescribed working hours, subject to the employee’s consent and such employee shall accordingly be paid in overtime wages. (5) An employee shall have the right to refuse his agreement to work overtime, as may be required by the employer under sub-section (4) or revoke it at any moment. (6) If the working hours of an employee on any day exceeds six hours, then such employee shall be entitled to a rest break as may be prescribed. (7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, every employer shall ensure that an employee gets the minimum hours of rest which shall not be less than: (a) ten consecutive hours of rest in any period of twenty-four hours; and (b) a total of seventy-seven hours of rest in any period of seven days. (8) The provisions of this section shall apply to all forms of employment, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid forms of working. Night work. 4. (1) Where an organisation or employer requires an employee to perform night work, the organization or the employer shall ensure that normal hours of work for night workers do not exceed an average of eight hours in any twenty-four-hour period. (2) For employees engaged in night work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain, the working hours shall not exceed such number of hours in any period of twenty-four hours during which such night work is performed, as may be prescribed. Explanation.– The determination of work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain for the purposes of sub-section (2) shall be made in accordance with rules prescribed under this Act. (3) An employee undertaking night work suffering from health problems recognised as being attributable to such work shall, upon recommendation by a medical practitioner, be transferred whenever possible to day work to which he is suited. Leaves. 5. (1) An organisation or employer shall provide at least forty-five days of leave every year to its employees, whether permanent or temporary: Provided that out of the total number of leaves provided by an organisation or employer, at least thirty days of leaves shall be paid leaves, which shall include medical and menstrual leave also. (2) If a gazetted holiday falls on the day which is already considered a leave by the organisation or employers, such as a weekly off day, the organisation or employer shall provide an additional day of leave to its employees, which shall not be included within the leave entitlement under sub-section (1). (3) An organisation or employer shall determine the distribution of leaves permitted throughout the calendar year for the employees: Provided that the distribution of leave so determined in this sub section shall comply with the provisions of this Act. Right to disconnect. 6. (1) Every employee shall have the right to disconnect from work-related communications in any form, from the organisation or the employer, outside their official working hours. (2) No adverse consequence or disciplinary action shall be imposed upon any employee for exercising his right under sub-section (1). (3) The guidelines for the effective implementation of this section, including measures to address grievances arising from its violation, shall be such as may be prescribed. CHAPTER III PROVISIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH Mental wellbeing check-up services by mental health professionals for employees. 7. (1) Every organisation shall provide for voluntary mental wellbeing check-up services for all employees with professional mental health experts on such interval as may be prescribed, to ensure a healthy work life balance for all employees. (2) Every organisation shall provide mandatory monthly mental wellbeing check-up services for all recently graduated employees with professional mental health experts to ensure a healthy work-life balance for new employees. (3) The mental wellbeing check-up services under sub-section (1) and (2) shall be provided by qualified health professionals who may be either employed in-house or engaged externally through contractual arrangements. (4) The reports from the mental wellbeing check-up sessions shall remain confidential with the mental health professionals conducting such sessions. (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (4), the mental health professionals may give their general review of employees’ mental health to the organisation’s administrators, to ensure mental wellbeing of all employees, while maintaining confidentiality of the matter. Guidelines to create a healthy workplace. 8. (1) The appropriate Government shall issue guidelines, on such intervals as may be prescribed to create a healthy workplace, and may include measures for addressing workplace challenges, promoting transparency, fostering ethical practices, and ensuring the physical and mental well-being of employees, in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) Every organisation or employer shall clearly specify guidelines to its employees on growth and promotion opportunities in the workplace to prevent overworking, unfair exclusion of employees, and unfair power dynamics in the workplace. (3) The head of every organisation or employer shall convene meetings at regular intervals with union representatives or other authorised representatives of employees to review and address feedback related to workplace conditions and implement measures for fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace environment. CHAPTER IV WAGES 9. (1) The appropriate Government shall specify the minimum wages for different categories of employees, including stipends for recently-graduated employees, in such manner as may be prescribed: Wages. Provided that the minimum wages specified in this sub-section shall be in consonance with the Code on Wages, 2019 unless otherwise provided in this Act. 29 of 2019. (2) The minimum wage or stipend for an employee prescribed under sub section (1) shall be determined in proportion to the cost of living in the geographical location from where the employee is expected to perform his duties. (3) An employee shall be entitled to overtime wages calculated at twice the hourly rate of his usual remuneration for performing any overtime work beyond forty-two hours in a week. (4) All wages, stipends, and overtime payments payable to an employee under this Act shall be adjusted to the prevailing rate of inflation on a yearly basis in such manner as may be prescribed. CHAPTER V GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL 10. (1) (a) Every organisation employing such minimum number of employees, as may be prescribed, shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, constitute a Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation to address any concerns of the employees relating to the provisions of this Act; Grievance redressal committees. and (b) The Grievance Redressal Committee of an organisation shall consist of not less than three and not more than ten members, including— (i) at least one member who is a qualified legal professional; and (ii) at least one external member from the senior management of another organisation in the same sector: Provided that the members of the Grievance Redressal Committee shall be periodically replaced in such manner as may be prescribed. (2)(a) Every State Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a State Grievance Redressal Committee in each State, which shall address complaints escalated to them from the Grievance Redressal Committee of the Organisation constituted under sub-section (1): Provided that in case of the absence of a Grievance Redressal Committee in the organisation as required under sub-section (1), an employee may submit his complaint directly to the State Grievance Redressal Committee concerned. (b) Any person aggrieved by an order made by the Grievance Redressal Committee of the organisation, may prefer an appeal against such order to the State Grievance Redressal Committee on the grounds of facts or law within such period from the date of the order and in such form and manner, as may be prescribed. (c) The State Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of not more than ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of labour unions; (iii) experienced professionals from diverse industries; and (iv) at least one expert in labour rights, such as an activist, lawyer, or researcher. (3)(a) The Central Government shall, within one year of the commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Central Grievance Redressal Committee to address complaints escalated from the State Grievance Redressal Committees or address matters connected thereon or incidental therewith, either referred to it or taken up on suo-moto basis; and (b) The Central Grievance Redressal Committee shall consist of ten members, including— (i) at least two legal professionals; (ii) at least three representatives of national-level labour unions; (iii) professionals with expertise in industries of national relevance; and (iv) at least one academician or researcher in the field of labour rights and employment. (4) The appropriate Government may, by notification, make rules to provide for the qualifications, method of recruitment, procedure for appointment, salaries, term of office, resignation and removal of the members of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees. (5) The appropriate Government shall provide the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees with such officers and other employees as may be required to assist them in the discharge of their functions. (6) The salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and other employees referred in sub section (5) shall be such as may be prescribed. (7) The functions of the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees, the mechanism for filing complaint and manner in which the complaint shall be filed and admitted, shall be such as may be prescribed. Grants by the Central Government. 11. (1) The Central Government shall, after due appropriation made by the Parliament, by law in this behalf, provide funds to the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees by way of grants, as it may consider necessary, for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may utilize such grants as they deem fit for performing the functions and discharging the duties assigned to them under this Act, and such expenditures shall be treated as payable out of the funds referred to in sub-section (1). (3) The accounts of the funds received and expenditures incurred by the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall be maintained and audited in the manner prescribed by the appropriate Government. 12. The Central and the State Grievance Redressal Committee shall prepare, in such form and at such time, for each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year and forward a copy thereof to the appropriate Government. Annual report. 13. The appropriate Government shall cause the annual report together with the audit report, to be laid, as soon as may be after the reports are received, before each House of Parliament or the State Legislature, as the case may be. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament or the State Legislature. 14. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall, while inquiring into any matter under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely: Powers of the State and Central Grievance Redressal Committees. 5 of 1908. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce the documents or things; (b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding anything inconsistent in any other law for the time being in force, the Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, during the inquiry into any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies which is under the control of the Committee, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. (3) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall inquire into any matter in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees shall maintain a register of complaints containing such particulars and such record of proceedings as may be specified by regulations. 15. (1) The Central and State Grievance Redressal Committees may, on the basis of an inquiry made in accordance with the procedure laid down by or under this Act, ― Violation and penalties. (a) impose a monetary penalty for violation of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, which may extend up to ten lakh rupees; and (b) recommend the initiation of criminal prosecution in cases involving severe violations of the provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, as per the applicable laws. (2) The manner of recovery of the monetary penalty imposed under sub section (1)(a) and the timeframe for disposal of an inquiry initiated under sub section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 19 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. Clause 25 empowers the Central Government to make such provisions through an order for removing any difficulty that might arise in giving effect to the provisions of the Bill. As the rules will relate to matters of procedural and administrative detail only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. VI Bill No. IV of 2025 A Bill to provide for regulation of animal breeders and owners and to prohibit the inbreeding and cross-breeding of non-indigenous domestic and pet animals in the country and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:⸺ CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Regulation of Animal Breeding Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,⸺ (a) “animal” means a domestic animal which may be kept for any purpose, including but not limited to livestock, research, or as a pet animal; (b) “animal breeder” means anyone who is legally authorised to breed animals, whether through Government licensing or authorisations provided by the Animal Welfare Board of India or the State Animal Welfare Board; (c) “animal owner” shall have the same meaning as assigned to “owner” in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; (d) “Animal Welfare Board of India” means the statutory advisory body established under section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and promotes animal welfare in the country; 59 of 1960. (e) “commercial animal breeding” (or “commercial breeding”) means the business of breeding animals for the purpose of selling them and does not include using them as livestock or pack animals; (f) “Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals” means the statutory body established under section 15 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, for controlling and supervising experiments on animals; 59 of 1960. (g) “cross-breeding” means the deliberate mating of two animals that are different breeds or varieties of the same species; (h) “domestic animal” means any species of animal that has been tamed, whether socially or genetically, and can co-exist in society without being a threat; (i) “inbreeding” means the deliberate mating of animals that share a recent common ancestor and for the purposes of this Act, two animals are considered to have recent common ancestors if they share a common ancestor within the last three generations before the older animal; Illustration.⸺ For instance, any animal whose parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent is the same as the parent, grandparent or great-grandparent of another animal shall be considered to have recent common ancestors; (j) “indigenous breed” means any animal breed which is native to the soil and climatic conditions of India, and shall include local indigenous breeds emerging from specific regions of the country; (k) “livestock” means any animal which is kept as an asset and can provide labour or produce commodities for consumption; (l) “non-indigenous breed” means any animal breed which is not an indigenous breed; (m) “pet animal” means any domestic animal that is kept by a person in their household for private enjoyment and companionship; and (n) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act. CHAPTER II REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF ANIMAL BREEDERS AND ANIMAL OWNERS 3. (1) No person shall be permitted to pursue commercial animal breeding unless they are registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India. Registration and licensing of animal breeders. (2) The Animal Welfare Board of India shall, either through sub-units in States, or by itself: (i) maintain a register of animal breeders in the country in such form and manner as may be prescribed and shall include information on the species, breeds, and number of animals bred by them; and (ii) make criteria for the inclusion of animal breeders in the register. (3) While registering and licensing an animal breeder, the Animal Welfare Board of India shall ensure that minimum requirements for animal breeding are met as specified through guidelines under section 6 of this Act. (4) The State Government may formulate additional regulations to issue licenses for animal breeders. (5) The registration of animal breeders as done by the Animal Welfare Board of India shall be valid for not more than a period of six years, beginning from the date of issuance of the certificate of registration, and the registration may be renewed before the expiry of the previous registration certificate for a person to continue as an animal breeder. (6) The Animal Welfare Board of India may formulate regulations on the procedure for registration of animal breeders including the fees, renewal of registration certificate after adequate quality checks, and the timeline of registration, which should not exceed ninety days, starting from the date of submission of the application to register to the issuance of the registration certificate or proof of rejection of the application. (7) The provisions of this section are applicable to all animal breeders, including those that are currently practicing animal breeding. Registration of animal owners. 4. (1) All animal owners, owning animals for any purpose, including as pets, livestock, or for research purposes, except for commercial breeding, shall be required to register their animals with the Animal Welfare Board of India. (2) The Animal Welfare Board of India shall, either through sub-units in States, or by itself: (i) maintain a register of animals owned in the country in such form and manner as may be prescribed and shall include information on the species, breeds, and details of the owner; and (ii) have the right to refuse registration, and hence ownership of animals to any person that do not seem well-equipped to care for the animal, as per the criteria as may be prescribed. (3) While registering an animal and its owner, the Animal Welfare Board of India shall ensure that minimum requirements for animal ownership are met as specified through guidelines under section 7 of this Act. (4) In the event of the birth of offspring(s) of an already registered animal, it is the responsibility of the owner of the parent animal to register the offspring(s) and accordingly obtain a new litter certificate for the same, in such manner as may be prescribed. (5) The State Government may formulate additional regulations to register animals and their owners. (6) The registration of animals as done by the Animal Welfare Board of India shall be valid throughout the lifetime of an animal and may be renewed in the case of change of ownership. (7) The Animal Welfare Board of India may formulate regulations on the procedure for registration of animals and their owners. (8) The provisions of this section are applicable to all owned animals, including those that are currently animal owned for personal or professional uses. CHAPTER III REGULATORY BODIES Formation of animal-specific regulatory bodies. 5. (1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, facilitate the formation of separate regulatory bodies for each species of animal under the Animal Welfare Board of India. (2) The animal-specific regulatory bodies shall be responsible for: (i) ensuring safe and ethical breeding of each animal variety; (ii) ensuring availability of adoption shelters and foster homes with adequate provisions for animals without owners; (iii) encouraging research towards healthy breeding practices and for improvements to the breed quality of indigenous animals; (iv) ensuring compliance of the extant provisions of animal breeding and animal ownership; (v) regulating the animal breeding and ownership industry to prevent cruelty and abandonment of animals; (vi) promoting adoption of indigenous animal breeds for all purposes, particularly as pets; and (vii) formulating guidelines pertinent to sections 6 and 7 of this Act. CHAPTER IV GUIDELINES FOR BREEDING, PET OWNERSHIP, AND IMPORT Guidelines for breeding and breeders. 6. The Central Government shall issue guidelines, not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, on breeding of animals which shall include provisions regarding, but not limited to: (i) the minimum age at which an animal may be used for breeding, specified based on the species and its average life span; (ii) the maximum age at which an animal may be used for breeding, specified based on the species and its average life span; (iii) the frequency at which a singular animal may be used for breeding to prevent any health deterioration of the parent and offspring animals; (iv) the minimum and maximum age by which an animal shall be vaccinated; (v) authorising only qualified persons, either by training or by experience, to take up commercial breeding; (vi) ensuring that any commercial breeding facility is well equipped for breeding animals and follows ethical practices of breeding; (vii) ensuring that no animals are harmed or deprived in a breeding facility; (viii) ensuring that offsprings of animals are registered through new litter certificates; (ix) encouraging research to improve breeds of indigenous animals and setting breed standards through scientifically monitored processes; and (x) encouraging efforts towards popularising indigenous animal breeds through collaboration with animal lovers and regulatory bodies; and (xi) any genetic deficiency identified during cross-breeding animals for research purposes shall be reported to the Animal Welfare Board of India within sixty days of identifying the deficiency. 7. The Central Government shall issue guidelines, not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, on pet ownership which shall include provisions regarding, but not limited to: Guidelines for pet ownership. (i) ensuring that a pet owner does not cause their pet animal any unnecessary pain, suffering or distress, throughout its lifetime, including at times when the pet animal’s life may have to be terminated to free it of suffering; (ii) ensuring health and welfare of the pet animals, including vaccinations and microchipping; (iii) ensuring the provision of food, water, exercise, and space for a pet animal based on the typical traits of its species and breed; (iv) limiting pet ownership to persons above the age of eighteen; (v) preventing pet ownership to persons who may not be well-equipped to care for an animal; and (vi) preventing pet ownership of animals that are unsuitable to be kept as pets. Guidelines for import of animals. 8. The Government shall issue guidelines, not later than one hundred and eighty days from the date of commencement of this Act, on import of animals for breeding purposes which shall include provisions regarding, but not limited to: (i) ensuring that every animal that enters the country has a health certification issued by the country of origin to prove the animal’s good health and status of vaccination; (ii) ensuring that every animal that is imported into the country is suitable to survive in the climate of its destination and that adequate resources are available for its wellbeing; (iii) ensuring that every animal that enters the country reaches its destination, is not allowed to escape, and its excreta is not littered; (iv) cleaning and disinfecting of animal that is imported into the country immediately upon reaching its destination; (v) facilitating random checks of animals being imported to ensure their health conditions and adequate safety measures being undertaken while transporting them; (vi) ensuring that the imported animals comply with guidelines specified for breeding and pet ownership, as specified in Sections 6 and 7 of this Act; and (vii) ensuring that any animal for non-breeding purposes is sterilised before it enters the country. CHAPTER IV BREEDING RESTRICTIONS FOR PETS AND LIVESTOCK Banning cross breeding and inbreeding of non indigenous animal breeds for non research and non livestock purposes. 9. (1) No animal breeder shall be permitted to cross-breed a non indigenous animal breed with an indigenous animal breed of the same species for any non-research and non-livestock purposes, including for keeping it as a pet or pack animal. (2) No animal breeder shall be permitted to cross-breed two different non-indigenous animal breeds of the same species for any non-research and non-livestock purposes, including for keeping it as a pet or pack animal. (3) No animal breeder shall be permitted to inbreed a non-indigenous animal breed for any non-research and non-livestock purposes, including for keeping it as a pet or pack animal. (4) Any animal breeder cross-breeding or inbreeding a non-indigenous animal breed for research purposes shall strictly comply with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, its rules and guidelines. 59 of 1960 (5) The Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals shall formulate rules to prevent any cross-breeding or inbreeding of a non-indigenous animal breed for research purposes, which is known to cause genetic deficiencies in the offspring, in such manner as may be prescribed. Partial ban on cross-breeding and complete ban on inbreeding of non-indigenous animal breeds for livestock purposes. 10. (1) An animal breeder may cross-breed a non-indigenous and indigenous animal breed or two non-indigenous breeds for livestock purposes if it has been scientifically tested to be advantageous for the offspring in terms of its health and product yield, and poses no threat of genetic deficiencies. (2) No animal breeder shall be permitted to inbreed a non-indigenous animal breed for livestock purposes. Sterilising animal breeds with genetic deficiencies due to cross-breeding and inbreeding with non-indigenous animals. 11. An animal offspring already produced for any purpose, before the implementation of this Act, through cross-breeding or inbreeding of a non indigenous animal breed with known genetic deficiencies, shall be sterilised by the owner or the breeder, in the absence of an owner, to prevent reproduction and amplification of genetic deficiencies. CHAPTER V GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM Grievance redressal with the Animal Welfare Board of India. 12. (1) Any person aggrieved with the violation of any provisions of this Act may approach the Animal Welfare Board of India or the State Animal Welfare Board, if available. (2) The Animal Welfare Board of India shall constitute a Grievance Appellate Committee with at least five members, as may be prescribed, to address any grievances it receives with respect to the provisions of this Act and their enactment. Powers of the Grievance Appellate Committee. 13. (1) The Grievance Appellate Committee shall, while inquiring into any matter under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely: 5 of 1908. (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of persons and compelling them to give oral or written evidence on oath and to produce the documents or things; (b) requiring the discovery and inspection of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; (d) requisitioning any public record or copies thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing summons for examination of witnesses or documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) Notwithstanding anything inconsistent in any other law for the time being in force, the Grievance Appellate Committee may, during the inquiry into any complaint under this Act, examine any record to which this Act applies which is under the control of the Committee, and no such record may be withheld from it on any grounds. (3) The Grievance Appellate Committee shall inquire into any matter in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Grievance Appellate Committee shall maintain a register of complaints containing such particulars and such record of proceedings as may be prescribed. Violations and penalties. 14. The Grievance Appellate Committee may, on the basis of an inquiry made in accordance with the procedure laid down by or under this Act: (a) impose a fine of up to ten lakh rupees for violation of code of ethics and conduct by animal breeders, owners, regulators, or elected administrators of regulated bodies; and (b) initiate criminal prosecution in cases of severe violation of code of ethics and conduct, or unethical or unprofessional conduct, against animal breeders, owners, regulators, or elected administrators of regulatory bodies. CHAPTER VI MISCELLANEOUS Powers of Central Government to make rules and laying thereof. 15. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both the Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. Power of State Government to make regulations and laying thereof. 16. (1) The State Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act and not inconsistent with the rules, if any, made by the Central Government. (2) Every regulations made by the State Government shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature where it consists of two Houses, or where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House. STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS Many Indians are increasingly purchasing exotic animal breeds as pets, including canines, felines, and avians that are not suited to the Indian habitat. This rising demand has contributed to illegal breeding practices, notably cross breeding and inbreeding of non-native species within the country. Cross-breeding within animal species, especially in livestock, has been applied to achieve desirable outcomes, such as increased yields. However, this practice can also introduce genetic weaknesses that negatively impact animal health. Inbreeding is particularly detrimental, as it increases the likelihood of genetic disorders, leading to shorter lifespans and reduced disease resistance in offspring. Commercially bred animals, whether through cross-breeding or inbreeding, often suffer from mistreatment and abandonment. Female animals are frequently subjected to repeated pregnancies, resulting in nutritionally and genetically deficient mothers and offspring that are either abandoned or fail to survive. This Bill addresses these critical issues in the animal breeding industry by establishing a framework to regulate illegal animal breeding through mandatory registration of breeders and animal owners, and by prohibiting the cross-breeding and inbreeding of non-native species. The framework promotes a transparent and safe import policy and introduces rule-based guidelines on breeding and ownership to encourage ethical practices and prevent the mistreatment and abandonment of animals. By decentralizing regulatory authority to be species-specific, the framework aims to address unique challenges associated with different animal types and includes legal consequences, including imprisonment, for violations. This Bill, along with its accompanying regulations, may also foster a shift in demand toward Indian breeds naturally adapted to the country’s climate, encouraging humane breeding practices. Hence, this bill. PRIYANKA CHATURVEDI. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM The registration and licensing of animal breeders; registration of animal owners and formation of separate regulatory bodies for each specific by Animal Welfare Board of India and Animal Welfare Boards of States shall be undertaken within the funds already allocated to them. Hence, no additional expenditure is likely to be incurred for carrying out the purposes of this Bill. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 15 and Clause 16 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules and the State Government to make regulations for carrying out the purpose of this Bill. As the rules and regulations relate to the matters of details only, the delegation of the legislative power is of a normal character. VII Bill No. XIII of 2025 A Bill to provide for the constitution of a National Commission for the Welfare and Support of Fishermen and for the promotion and development of the Fisheries industry, ensuring the welfare of fishermen and the fish cultivators, workers etc. engaged in the industry and encouraging exports associated with it, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy- sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows : — CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the National Commission for Fishermen (Welfare and Support) Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, — (a) “Commission” means the National Commission for the Welfare and Support of Fishermen constituted under section 3; (b) “fish cultivators” means persons engaged in the commercial breeding including controlled cultivation and harvesting of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and so on, most often for food, in natural or psuedo-natural environments such as fish ponds, fish tanks etc.; (c) “fisheries industry” means any industry or activity which is involved in the management, catching, processing and marketing of fish or fish products; (d) "fishermen" means persons who traditionally earns their livelihood by catching fish from the ocean/sea or rivers, ponds etc. and whose only source of income is the money they earn from selling such fish. (e) “Fund” means the Fisheries Promotion and Development Fund constituted under section 11; and (f) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act. CHAPTER II THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE WELFARE AND SUPPORT OF FISHERMEN The National Commission for the Welfare and Support of Fishermen. 3. (1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute, for the purposes of this Act, a Commission, to be known as the National Commission for the Welfare and Support of Fishermen. (2) The Commission shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and to contract and shall by the said name, sue and be sued. (3) The Commission shall consist of the following :─ (a) a Chairperson to be appointed by the Central Government, in such manner as may be prescribed; (b) three Members of Parliament, of whom two shall be elected by the House of the People and one by the Council of States; (c) one member each from the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Fisheries); the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry; and the Union Ministry of Finance, to be appointed by the Central Government in such manner as may be prescribed; (d) one member from each of the major fish producing States, as may be determined by the Central Government; (e) one member each to represent the fishermen, fish cultivators, workers and exporters in the fisheries industry from each of the major fish producing States, to be nominated by the respective State Governments, in such manner as may be prescribed; and (f) five members to represent such institutes or authorities specialising in research in the fisheries industry, aquaculture, foreign trade and export, packaging and food safety, to be nominated in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The qualifications and experience for appointment as the Chairperson and members of the Commission, the manner of filling of vacancies, shall be such as may be prescribed. (5) The Commission shall have the power to regulate its own procedure. Term of office and conditions ofservice of the Chairperson, and other members and officers and staff. 4. (1) The term of office of, salaries, remuneration and other allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of service of, the Chairperson, other members, and officers and staff of the Commission shall be such as may be prescribed and enshrined in a governing framework to be made within a period not exceeding six months from the date of constitution of the Commission. (2) Any officer of the Central Government when deputed by that Government to the Commission shall have the right to attend the meetings of the Commission and take part in the proceedings thereof but shall not be entitled to vote. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate the proceedings of the Commission. 5. No act or proceeding of the Commission shall be invalid merely by reason of :─ (a) any vacancy in the Commission, as long as fifty per cent. of the prescribed membership is filled; or (b) any irregularity in the procedure of the Commission not affecting the merits of the case. Chairperson to preside over the meetings. 6. (1) The Chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the Commission, and without prejudice to any provision of this Act, exercise and discharge such other powers and functions of the Commission as may be prescribed. (2) In the absence of the Chairperson in a meeting, the meeting of the Commission may be chaired by a Deputy Chairperson, who shall be elected by a majority of votes of the members of the Commission present and voting. Advisory Committee, Executive Committee and officers and staff of the Commission. 7. (1) The Commission may constitute such Advisory Committees or Executive Committees, with such composition, as may be prescribed, and appoint such number of officers and staff, as it deems necessary, for the efficient discharge of its functions under this Act, in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) The method of recruitment and qualifications and experience required for the officers and staff of the Commission, shall be such as may be prescribed and specified in the governance framework mentioned in sub-section (1) of section 4. General powers and functions. 8. (1) It shall be the duty of the Commission to take all measures necessary to promote and develop the fisheries industry in the country. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the powers and functions of the Commission shall include: ─ (a) taking such steps, as it deems necessary, in order to achieve its objectives enlisted under section 10 of this Act; (b) monitoring exports, imports, prices of fish and allied products and propagating data and other information regarding the demand for and marketability of fish in both domestic and foreign markets; (c) supplying scientific and technical advice aimed at improving the production, manufacture, supply, and distribution of fish and allied products; (d) undertaking, assisting or encouraging scientific, technological and economic research; (e) collecting statistics from such stakeholders in the fisheries industry; (f) planning and implementation of human resource training and skill development in line with the needs of the fisheries industry; (g) taking steps either by itself or through accredited agencies to maintain quality standards for fish or allied products produced in the country; (h) collaborating and cooperating with national and international scientific and economic bodies for the benefit of the fisheries industry; (i) collaborating and cooperating with departments of the Central Government or State Governments on all matters relating to the promotion and development of the fisheries industry; (j) advising the Central Government on all matters relating to the promotion and development of the fisheries industry and its workers, including but not limited to the import and export of fish or allied products and the safety of fishermen; (k) advising the Central Government with regard to participation in any international conference or scheme relating to the fisheries industry; (l) providing advisory services on matters including but not limited to research, testing and training to such other persons upon the payment of such fee or other charges as may be specified; (m) ensuring the development, progress and welfare of poor fishermen and enabling them to diversify their income and secure a stable income through fishing and related activities; (n) studying the effects of climate change on the fisheries industry and advising the Central Government on how to cope up and mitigate such changes and protect the interests of the stakeholders in the fisheries industry and ensure a stable and flourishing industry; (o) preparing and maintaining safety standards for fishermen who might be handling dangerous products which could affect their health; and (p) any other measures in the interest of the fisheries industry and its workers. CHAPTER III PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT Objectives. 9. The Central Government and the Commission, as the case may be, while exercising its powers, discharging its functions, or undertaking any other activity, as specified under this Act shall be guided by the following objectives, namely: — (a) optimising the production, sale and consumption of fish or allied products, which may include: (i) promoting the export of fish or allied products; (ii) promoting the sale and consumption of fish or allied products, including through e-commerce platforms; (iii) promoting the quality of fish or allied products being cultivated and consumed in the country and exported; (iv) promoting branding, product diversification, value addition, packaging and furthering the interests of stakeholders involved in the fisheries industry; (v) promoting the sustainable cultivation of fish or allied products for increasing production and productivity; (vi) providing support and encouragement to small growers, including in using and implementing new technologies; (vii) encouraging fair and remunerative prices for fishermen and fish cultivators; (viii) safeguarding the interests of fishermen; and (ix) increasing awareness amongst the general public about the fisheries industry; (b) promoting economic, scientific and technical research in the fisheries industry, which may include:─ (i) collecting, analysing, and disseminating economic, scientific and technical data, information, statistics, and studies related to the fisheries industry; (ii) encouraging the adoption of best available technologies and minimizing the adverse impact of climate change; (iii) promoting an understanding of the oceanic and water ecosystem in India; and (iv) aligning the practices in the fisheries industry in India with global best practices; (c) ensuring the development and welfare of fishermen, which may include: — (i) conducting a survey of fishermen once in every two years, for collecting basic data including but not limited to their numbers, annual income, livelihood security, modes of alternate income, if any, etc. to gauge their socio-economic circumstances, progress, in such manner as may be prescribed; (ii) make recommendations to the Central Government regarding schemes on the basis of these findings and ensure the upliftment of those who work in the fisheries industry; and (iii) make recommendations to the Central Government taking into account the different circumstances, earnings, living conditions and commercial opportunities available to fishermen on the eastern and western coast of India respectively. Issuance of direction and advisories by the Commission. 10. (1) To achieve the objectives enlisted in section 9, and in exercise of its general powers and functions under section 8, the Commission may issue directions or advisories to stakeholders, and such persons in the fisheries industry, or any class thereof, as it may deem fit. (2) Every direction issued by the Commission shall be binding on the person to whom such direction has been issued. (3) The recommendations of the Commission shall be implemented by the Central Government or the concerned State Governments as far as possible after due consultations with the Commission. CHAPTER IV FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT Fisheries Promotion and Development Fund. 11. (1) There shall be established, by notification in the Official Gazette, a fund to be called the Fisheries Promotion and Development Fund for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act. (2) The Fund shall be under the control of the Central Government and there shall be credited thereto:─ (a) all sums transferred to, or vested in the Commission; (b) any grants and loans made to the Commission by the Central Government; (c) all fees levied and collected in respect of certificates of registration issued and any other fees or charges collected under this Act or the rules and regulations made thereunder; and (d) all sums received by the Commission from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government. (3) The Fund shall be used to:─ (a) meet the salary, pension, remuneration, and other allowances of the members, officers, and staff of the Commission as applicable; (b) meet the expenses relating to such measures as the Commission may undertake under this Act from time to time in order to achieve the objectives enlisted in section 9, and in exercise of its general powers and functions under section 8; (c) meet the other administrative expenses of the Commission and any other expenses authorised by or under this Act; (d) repay loans; and (e) settle any liabilities arising out of legal proceedings. Power to borrow. 12. The Commission may, from time to time, with the previous sanction of the Central Government and under such conditions as may be prescribed, borrow any sum required for any of the purposes for which it is authorised to expend under this Act, from:─ (a) any bank or other financial institution by taking loan; or (b) the public by issue of bonds or debentures or any such instrument in the form and manner approved by the Central Government. Budget. 13. The Commission shall prepare in such form and manner, at such time, and such intervals, as may be prescribed, its budget, showing the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Commission and forward the same to the Central Government. Accounts and audit. 14. The accounts of the Commission shall be maintained and audited in such manner as may, in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, be prescribed and the Commission shall furnish to the Central Government before such date, as may be prescribed, the audited copy of its accounts together with the Auditors' report thereon. Annual report. 15. (1) The Commission shall prepare, in such form and manner and at such time of each financial year, as may be prescribed, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year, and submit a copy thereof to the Central Government. (2) The annual report prepared under sub-section (1) shall contain: - (a) a description of all the activities of the Commission during the previous financial year; (b) the plan of the Commission for the upcoming financial year; and (c) any such other details as may be provided under any law for the time being in force. Auditor’sreport and annual report to be laid before Parliament. 16. The Central Government shall cause the Annual Accounts of the Commission along with the Auditor’s report under section 14 and its Annual Report under section 15 to be laid, as soon as may be after they are received, before each House of Parliament. CHAPTER V MISCELLANEOUS Power of the Central Government to supersede the Commission. 17. (1) If any time the Central Government is of the opinion: ─ (a) that on account of grave emergency, the Commission is unable to discharge the functions and duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or (b) that the Commission has persistently made default in complying with any direction issued by the Central Government under this Act, in achieving the objectives, or in exercising its general powers and functions, and as a result of such default the financial position of the Commission or the administration of the Commission has deteriorated; or (c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, supersede the Commission for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification. Power to delegate. 18. The Central Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that any power exercisable and functions performed by it under this Act may be exercised and performed in such cases and subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the notification, by such officer or authority as may be specified therein. Protection of action taken in good faith. 19. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Central Government, the Commission, or any officer, member, or employee thereof for anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith under this Act or the rules or regulations made, or standards notified thereunder. Power to make rules. 20. (1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both the Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. Power to remove difficulties. 21. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty: Provided that no such order shall be made under this section after the expiry of five years from the commencement of this Act. (2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament. Act to have overriding effect. 22. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force. STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS India has a coastline of over 8,000 km and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of over 2 million square kilometres. With extensive marine and freshwater resources, our fisheries industry plays a vital role in the economic development of the nation and play an integral part in ensuring our food security. As per the 2011 census, there are 3,288 marine fishing villages and 1,511 marine fish landing centres spread across the country. This leaves a substantial potential in the area of fisheries unutilized. Additionally, approximately 61 per cent. of fishermen live Below Poverty Line as per the same census. At a time when India is emerging as a forerunner for development in the world, and our growth story is being acknowledged globally as a model of success to reach five trillion USD economy, the efficient development of our fisheries can help us reach our goals in a more holistic manner. Presently, we are at number two position globally in the area of production of fish or its allied products. With more pointed policy imperatives, and a central body such as the National Commission for the Welfare and Support of Fishermen to take affirmative steps to promote the fisheries sector, India could become number one globally, not just in the area of production but also exports. Similarly, any development of the fisheries industry must take into account those who are involved in its catch, cultivation, production, processing and export. Providing equitable benefits to each and every section of society is the bedrock of our nation, and the creation of this Commission is a step towards achieving that goal. In order to keep development in line with the principles of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, the creation of this Commission is necessary. Hence, this Bill. MASTHAN RAO YADAV BEEDHA FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 3 of the Bill provides for the constitution of a National Commission for the Welfare and Support of Fishermen and appointment of the Chairperson and Members therein. Clause 4 provides for the term of office of, salaries, remuneration or other allowances payable to, and the other conditions of service of, the Chairperson, other members and officers and staff of the Commission. Clause 7 provides for the constitution of Advisory Committees and Executive Committees and appointment of officers and staff to assist the Commission. Clause 8 of the Bill provides for the functions and powers of the Commission including inter alia, promotion and development of the fisheries industry in India. Clause 9 of the Bill outlines the objectives of the Commission. The aforementioned provisions of the Bill involve expenditure towards payment of salaries, allowances, etc. of the members, officers, and staff of the Commission and meeting other administrative expenses of the Commission including expenses for discharging its functions. Clause 11 of the Bill provides for the constitution of a fund called the Fisheries Promotion and Development Fund for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this Act. The Fund will, inter alia comprise of the grants and loans given by the Central Government, fees collected by the Commission and other sums received by the Commission. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, will involve certain amount of expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, it is not possible at this stage to estimate the exact quantum of recurring and non recurring expenditure that would be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 20 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Clause 22 provides that the Central Government may, make such provisions, by order, as may be necessary for removing any difficulty to give effect to the provisions of this Bill. As the rules or orders will relate to matters of procedural and administrative detail only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. VIII Bill No. XIV of 2025 A Bill further to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:― 1. (1) This Act may be called the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. 43 of 1951. Amendment of section 2. 2. In section 2 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), (i) after sub-clause (bb), the following new sub-clause shall be inserted, namely:— “(bbb) “coalition” means a group of two or more political parties working together for a particular purpose, for a specified time period or otherwise, or for the purpose of formation of a Government, either before or after an election, to be registered with the Election Commission, in such manner as may be prescribed;” (ii) after sub-clause (e), the following new sub-clauses shall be inserted, namely:— “(ee) “electoral promise” means any commitment, assurance, or undertaking made in an election manifesto or public declaration by a political party or coalition; (eee) “implementation timeline” means the period specified for fulfillment of an electoral promise; (eeee) “manifesto” means a published declaration of the intentions, motives, or views of a political party or coalition ; (eeeee) “Monitoring Committee” means the Manifesto Implementation Monitoring Committee constituted under section 75F of this Act;”; Insertion of a new Chapter VIIB. 3. In Part V of the principal Act, after Chapter VIIA, the following new Chapter shall be inserted, namely:— “CHAPTER VIIB REGULATION OF ELECTION MANIFESTO Classification of electoral promise. 75B. (1) Every political party or coalition shall, within such period as may be prescribed, after the announcement of any election to the House of the People or the State Legislative Assembly, submit to the Election Commission, a manifesto containing electoral promises classified into the following categories:― (a) Short-term promises to be fulfilled within one year of its term in office; (b) Medium-term promises to be fulfilled within three years of its term in office; and (c) Long-term promises to be fulfilled beyond three years of its term in office: Provided that the period of submission of the manifesto by a coalition formed after an election for the purpose of formation of Government shall be such as may be prescribed. (2) Each electoral promise listed in the manifesto shall be accompanied by:― (a) specific implementation timeline; (b) estimated financial implication; (c) proposed source of funding; (d) method of implementation; and (e) expected outcomes and measurable indicators. (3) The Election Commission shall conduct an enquiry, in such manner as may be prescribed, and ascertain whether any political party or coalition has indulged in willful misrepresentation of facts in its manifesto. Manifesto Implementation Report. 75C. (1) The ruling party or coalition at the Centre and each State shall submit to the Election Commission, a Manifesto Implementation Report, as follows, in such form and manner as may be prescribed:― (a) Quarterly progress report on implementation of short-term promises; (b) Half-yearly progress report on implementation of medium-term promises; and (c) Annual progress report on implementation of long-term promises. (2) Each progress report shall contain the following:― (a) status of implementation of each promise; (b) reasons for delay or non-implementation, if any; (c) revised timelines for implementation, if applicable; and (d) financial expenditure incurred. Public disclosure. 75D. (1) The Election Commission shall maintain a public database of:― (a) all manifestos submitted by political parties; (b) progress reports on implementation of promises in the manifestos; and (c) reports of the Monitoring Committee submitted under clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (4) of section 75F. (2) The database shall be made accessible to the general public through a dedicated online portal. Exemptions. 75E. The non-implementation of electoral promise by the elected political party or coalition shall not attract penalties, if caused by:― (a) unforeseeable and uncontrollable events beyond the Government's reasonable control, which may be termed force majeure events, such as natural disasters, war, or other acts of God; (b) situations where the Government declares a state of economic crisis or emergency, impacting the feasibility of implementing specific promises; (c) situations where the implementation of electoral promises is restricted or prohibited due to constitutional provisions or legal limitations; (d) instances where the Government lacks the legislative majority to pass the required laws or budget for implementing electoral promises; and (e) circumstances that the Monitoring Committee, constituted under section 75F of this Act, considers legitimate and justifiable for non implementation, based on its assessment and evaluation. Constitution and functions of the Manifesto Implementation Monitoring Committee. 75F. (1) The Election Commission shall constitute a Manifesto Implementation Monitoring Committee consisting of:― (a) A retired Supreme Court Judge, as Chairperson; (b) a nominee of the Chief Election Commissioner, as ex-officio Member; (c) a nominee of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, as ex-officio Member; and (d) Two representatives from registered civil society organizations, with such qualifications and experience and to be appointed in such manner and on such terms and conditions, as may be prescribed, as Members. (2) The salary and allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of the service of the Chairperson and members of the Commission, other than the ex-officio Members, shall be such as may be prescribed. (3) The secretarial assistance to the Committee shall be provided by the Election Commission, in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Monitoring Committee shall:― (a) examine the Manifesto Implementation Report and report to the Election Commission, the status of the implementation or otherwise of the electoral promises contained in the manifesto of the elected political party or coalition, in such manner as may be prescribed; (b) undertake impartial assessment to evaluate the impact of the implemented policies and initiatives outlined in the manifesto of the elected political party or coalition and submit its report to the Election Commission; (c) provide recommendations to the Election Commission for improving transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of the implementation of manifesto of the elected political party or coalition; and (d) prepare and submit a comprehensive annual report, detailing its findings, analyses, and recommendations and forward the same to the Central Government, which shall cause it to be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament. Provided that where the report or any of its part is related to any of the State Government, a copy of such report shall be forwarded to the Governor of that State, who shall in turn, cause to be laid before each House of the State Legislature, where it consists of two Houses, or where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House. Penalties. 75G. (1) Any failure to submit classification of promises by a political party or coalition, under sub-section (1) of section 75B of this Act, shall be punishable with fine of up to rupees one lakh. (2) Subject to the provisions of section 75E, any failure to implement the electoral promise by the elected political party or coalition shall be punishable with warning in such form and manner as may be prescribed, for the first instance; with fine of up to rupees five lakhs for the second instance and with fine of up to rupees ten lakhs for subsequent instances. (3) If on enquiry, it is established beyond doubt that any political party or coalition has indulged in willful misrepresentation of facts in its manifesto, such political party or coalition shall be liable to:― (a) public censure by the Election Commission, in such manner as may be prescribed; (b) fine of up to rupees fifty lakhs; and (c) mention the same in all future communications with the Election Commission the such party for the next five years. Recovery of penalties. 75H. Any penalty of fine imposed under section 75G shall be recovered by the Election Commission from the political party or coalition within such period and in such manner as may be prescribed. Appeals. 75I. (1) An appeal against the orders of the Election Commission under this Chapter shall lie with the High Court having jurisdiction in the matter. (2) An appeal shall be filed within a period of thirty days from the date of the order of the Election Commission.” STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS In various landmark judgments including S. Subramaniam Balaji vs. State of Tamil Nadu and Others (2013), and Ashwini K Upadhyay vs. Government of National Territory of Delhi (2021), the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India addressed the issue of electoral manifestos and the promises made by political parties. The Court observed that while the distribution of freebies promised in manifestos did not necessarily constitute corrupt practices under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, such promises could distort the level playing field and affect the fairness of elections. The judgment highlighted a legislative vacuum regarding the regulation of promises made in manifestos and suggested that Parliament should consider enacting laws to address this issue. The Court also emphasized that the expenditure on schemes promised in manifestos should serve a "public purpose" and align with constitutional principles. The Supreme Court had earlier directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to frame guidelines under Article 324 of the Constitution to regulate manifestos in the interest of free and fair elections. In compliance with the directive, the ECI incorporated specific guidelines for electoral manifestos into the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in 2014. These guidelines require political parties and candidates to avoid making financially unsustainable promises. Manifestos must clearly state the rationale behind each promise, along with an explanation of the expected resource requirements and how these will be met. The definition of manifesto in the Bill has been taken from the background note that ECI had prepared on the manifestos. Furthermore, promises must be consistent with the Directive Principles of State Policy and other constitutional provisions. To ensure compliance, the ECI engaged with political parties to discuss the inclusion of these guidelines and monitor manifestos for adherence during elections. By integrating these measures, the ECI aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in the promises made by political parties, thereby upholding the integrity of the electoral process as envisioned in the Hon’ble Supreme Court's judgment. However, without existing legislation, there exists a significant gap in ensuring the enforceability of these guidelines. The Election Commission's efforts while commendable, rely solely on the Model Code of Conduct, which is not legally binding. This lack of statutory backing limits the Commission's ability to impose penalties or take concrete action against violations, resulting in inconsistencies in compliance. The absence of a comprehensive legal framework also makes it challenging to hold political parties accountable for non implementation or misrepresentation of promises made in their manifestos. Consequently, there is an urgent need for legislation that provides a mechanism for regulating electoral promises, ensuring transparency, and accountability to uphold the democratic principles of free and fair elections. Therefore, this Bill seeks to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to ensure the legal accountability of electoral promises made by political parties and candidates. Recognizing that the absence of enforceable accountability has led to a proliferation of unrealistic promises, eroding public trust and distorting electoral fairness, the proposed amendments mandate the classification of promises with specific timelines, financial implications, and implementation mechanisms, ensuring transparency and feasibility. It establishes an efficient monitoring framework through the Manifesto Implementation Monitoring Committee, composed of eminent legal, electoral and civil society representatives, tasked with evaluating progress and recommending corrective measures. The Bill introduces provisions for public disclosure of manifestos and implementation reports, leading towards citizen engagement and trust. Furthermore, it prescribes penalties for non-compliance, including financial sanctions and public censure, while allowing exemptions for legitimate constraints such as force majeure events or constitutional limitations. By integrating a structured system for assessing and enforcing electoral promises, this amendment aims to strengthen democratic governance, enhance political accountability, and uphold the sanctity of election manifestos as a binding social contract between parties and the electorate. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives. SANT BALBIR SINGH. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 3 of the Bill provides for the maintenance of a public database of all manifestos submitted by political parties, progress reports on implementation of promises in their manifestos; and independent assessments of promise fulfillment, which shall be made accessible to the general public through a dedicated online portal. It also inter alia provides for the constitution of a Manifesto Implementation Monitoring Committee by the Election Commission of India to examine the progress and outcomes of the implementation of manifestos of political parties, conduct impartial assessment to evaluate the impact of the implemented policies and initiatives outlined therein and provide recommendations for improving transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in their implementation. The composition of the Committee and provision of secretarial assistance thereto has also been provided under the said clause. The Bill, therefore, if enacted will involve expenditure, both of recurring and non-recurring nature, from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, it is difficult to estimate the exact expenditure likely to be involved at this juncture. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 11 of the Bill empowers the Central Government and State Governments to make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Bill. Clause 12 empowers the Central Government to make such provisions through an order for removing any difficulty that might arise in giving effect to the provisions of the Bill. As the rules and orders will relate to matters of procedural and administrative detail only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. IX Bill No. XXXI of 2025 A Bill further to amend the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:– 1. (1) This Act may be called the Environment (Protection) Amendment Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Insertion of new Chapter IIIAA. 2. In the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, after section 17, the following new Chapter shall be inserted, namely,― “CHAPTER III AA COMPENSATION FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE ARISING FROM ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE Right to Compensation. 17. Any person who has incurred loss and damage as a direct consequence of environmental and climate change impacts shall have the right to claim compensation in such form and manner and subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed by the Central Government. Loss and Damage Fund. 17A. (1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, there shall be established for the purposes of this Act, a special Fund to be called the Loss and Damage Fund, under the public account of India. (2) The Loss and Damage Fund shall be credited with such sums of money as the Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament by law in this behalf, provide from time to time. (3) The Loss and Damage Fund shall be applied for the purpose of providing financial assistance and compensation to affected persons and communities for loss and damage arising from environmental and climate change impacts. (4) The Loss and Damage Fund shall be under the control of the Central Government and managed by such authority and in such manner, as the Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. (5) The authority as may be appointed by the Central Government under sub-section (4) shall perform such functions as may be notified, including, but not limited to,— (a) receiving and processing applications for financial assistance and compensation on account of loss and damage arising from environmental or climate-related causes; (b) conducting enquiry and deciding the eligibility and quantum of financial assistance and compensation, subject to such criteria and in such manner as may be prescribed; (c) sanctioning and ordering disbursal of financial assistance and compensation from the Fund; and (d) issue necessary directions and performing such other functions as may be assigned to it by the Central Government or as may be prescribed. Accounts and audit of Loss and Damage Fund. 17B. (1) The authority appointed by the Central Government under sub-section (4) of section 17A shall maintain separate accounts and other relevant records in relation to the Loss and Damage Fund and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form, as may be prescribed, in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. (2) The accounting procedure to regulate the manner of crediting the monies to the Loss and Damage Fund in a year shall be in such manner as may be prescribed. (3) The accounts of the Loss and Damage Fund shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor -General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and such audited accounts together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government. Annual Report. 17C. The authority appointed by the Central Government under sub section (4) of section 17A shall prepare the annual report in relation to the Loss and Damage Fund, giving a full account of its activities, defined under this Act, during the previous financial year, in such form, as may be prescribed, in each financial year, and submit the annual report to the Central Government. Annual report and audit report to be laid before Parliament. 17D. The Central Government shall cause the annual report together with the audit report on accounts to be laid, as soon as may be after the reports are received, before each House of Parliament. Competent Authority to enquire into the loss and damage. 17E. The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, empower the Central Pollution Control Board or any other agency to conduct enquiry under this Chapter. Loss and Damage Tribunal. 17F. (1) The Central Government or State Government, as the case may be, may by notification in the Official Gazette, authorise the Court not below the rank of District Court as Loss and Damage Tribunal. (2) Any person aggrieved by any direction, order or decision of the authority as may be appointed under this Chapter may prefer an appeal to the Loss and Damage Tribunal, within such period and in such manner as may be prescribed. (3) The Central Government may prescribe special procedure for the Tribunal for the speedy disposal of claims. (4) The orders issued by the Tribunal may be enforced as decree under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. 5 of 1908 STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS Article 21 of the Constitution which guarantees right to life has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to include the right to a clean and healthy environment. The ‘polluter pays’ principle-based environmental right, is a corollary right which ought to be protected by State in its parens patriae role. The right to compensation for the loss and damage arising out of environmental and climate change impact, is of much relevance today. 2. The 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27) where India was a party also recognises loss and damage fund to respond to human cost of climate change. Loss and Damage Tribunal is a step towards speedy remedy in environmental loss and damage claims. 3. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives. A.A. RAHIM. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Section 17A of the Bill provides for establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund to provide financial assistance and compensation to affected persons and communities for loss and damage arising from environmental and climate change impacts. The said section also provides for the Central Government to provide for funds to carry out the purposes of this Act. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve both recurring and non recurring expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, it is not possible to estimate the actual expenditure likely to be involved at this stage. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 13 empowers the appropriate Government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. Clause 15 of the Bill empowers the Central Government to make such provisions through an order for removing any difficulty that might arise in giving effect to the provisions of this Bill. As the rules or orders will relate to matters of procedural and administrative detail only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. X Bill No. XL of 2025 A Bill to provide for a regulatory regime to oversee and ensure quality and ethical practices of educational consultancies in the country and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy- sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows: — CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Educational Consultancies Regulation Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) “Appellate Tribunal” means the Educational Consultancies Appellate Tribunal established under section 20; (b) "appropriate Government" means,— (i) in relation to a Union territory without Legislature, the Central Government; and (ii) in relation to a State or Union territory with Legislature, the Government of that State or Union territory, as the case may be; (c) “Central Advisory Council” means the Central Advisory Council for Educational Consultancies established under section 5; (d) "educational consultancy" means any professional service rendered by a person or an institution that provides guidance and support to its clients including students, parents, educators and institutions or others in connection with admission process, application procedures, career counselling or related assistance for admission in educational institutions in the country or abroad including visa assistance, engaging in promotional activities such as organising seminars and workshops to showcase educational programs and institutions, managing recruitment campaigns etc. for the purpose of improving educational outcomes; (e) "educational institutions” means schools, colleges, universities or institutions imparting educational courses either in in the country or abroad; (f) “Fund” means the Educational Consultancies Fund constituted under section 35 of this Act; (g) “fraudulent” shall have the same meaning as has been ascribed to it under sub-section (9) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; 45 of 2023. (h) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (i) "State Council" means the State Council for Educational Consultancies established under section 9; and (j) "student" means a person who seeks to or is receiving the services of an educational consultancy. CHAPTER II REGISTRATION OF EDUCATIONALCONSULTANCIES Registration of Educational Consultancies. 3. (1) Every educational consultancy operating in the country shall, within such period from the commencement of this Act, as may be prescribed, or within such further period as may be specified, by notification in the Official Gazette, by the State Council established under section 7 of this Act, apply for registration: Provided that no educational consultancy shall operate after the period as provided under sub-section (1), unless a registration thereof has been obtained in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (2) Every application for registration under sub-section (1) shall be made to the State Council concerned, in such form and manner, accompanied by such fee and within such time, as may be prescribed. (3) The registration granted under sub-section (1) shall be valid for such period and may be renewed from time to time in such manner and on payment of such fee, as may be prescribed. (4) The State Council may, after making such inquiry as it deems fit and being satisfied about the eligibility of the applicant, grant or reject the certificate of registration and may, for reasons to be recorded in writing and after giving the applicant a reasonable opportunity of being heard, cancel or suspend the registration granted, in such manner as may be prescribed. Portal for verification of registration of educational consultancies. 4. The State Council shall establish and maintain a publicly accessible online portal where citizens can verify the registration of educational consultancies, including their current status and validity, in such manner and in such form, as may be prescribed: Provided that the portal shall, also display the list of educational consultancies, whose application for registration has been rejected and whose registration has been cancelled or otherwise rendered void. CHAPTER III CENTRAL ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCIES Establishment of the Central Advisory Council for Educational Consultancies. 5. (1) The Central Government shall, within a period of one year from commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish a Council to be known as the Central Advisory Council for Educational Consultancies to exercise the powers conferred on it and to perform the functions assigned to it under this Act. The Central Advisory Council shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued. (2) The headquarters of the Central Advisory Council shall be at New Delhi. (3) The Central Advisory Council shall consist of the following, namely:— (i) the Union Minister of Education – Chairperson, ex officio; (ii) representatives of the Union Ministries of Finance; Corporate Affairs, and Law and Justice; Department of Consumer Affairs and Niti Aayog, to be appointed by the Central Government, in such manner as may be prescribed – Members ex officio: Provided that one representative of any other Union Ministry or Department may also be additionally appointed as an ex-officio Member by the Central Government, if so deemed necessary by the Central Advisory Council, in such manner as may be prescribed; (iii) five ex-officio Members, one each to be nominated by the State Governments, , in such manner and for such term as may be prescribed, on rotational basis from amongst all States, to ensure that all States get due representation: Provided that the five States which get to nominate members for a given term shall be determined by draw of lot and the States which have been selected through previous draw(s) of lot will not be included in the next draw of lot; (iv) five ex-officio Members, one each to be nominated by the State Councils for Educational Consultancies, in such manner and for such term as may be prescribed, on rotational basis from amongst all the State Councils, to ensure that all State Councils get due representation: Provided that the five State Councils, which get to nominate members for a given term shall be determined by draw of lot and the State Councils which have been selected through previous draw(s) of lot will not be included in the next draw of lot; and (v) not more than ten Members to represent the interests of the educational consultancies industry and higher education sector to be appointed by the Central Government, in such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The Central Advisory Council shall have the power to regulate its own procedure for transaction of its business and frame regulations, as deemed necessary, for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. Term of office and other conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members of the Central Advisory Council. 6. (1) The members of the Central Advisory Council, other than the ex-officio members, shall hold office for such term, as may be prescribed. (2) The allowances payable to the Chairperson and ex-officio members, the salaries and allowances payable to the members, other than the ex officio members, and other terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson and members of the Central Advisory Council shall be such as may be prescribed. Officers and staff of the Central Advisory Council. 7. (1) The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Central Advisory Council, appoint such number of officers and staff, as may be necessary, for the efficient discharge of the functions assigned to it under this Act. (2) The method of recruitment, salaries and allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and staff of the Central Advisory Council so appointed, shall be such as may be prescribed. Functions of the Central Advisory Council. 8. The functions of the Central Advisory Council shall be to advise and make recommendations to the Central Government— (a) on all matters concerning the implementation of this Act; (b) on major questions of policy related to educational consultancies; (c) for the protection of interests of students; (d) to foster the growth and development of the educational consultancies sector; and (e) on any other matter related to the educational consultancies sector or the education sector in general, as may be assigned to it by the Central Government. CHAPTER IV STATE COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCIES Establishment of the State Council for Educational Consultancies. 9. (1) The appropriate Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish a State Council for Educational Consultancies in each State and Union Territory to be known as the ––––(name of the State/Union territory) Council for Educational Consultancies, to perform the functions assigned to it under the Act. (2) The State Council shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued. (3) The headquarters of the State Council shall be at such place, as the appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Composition of the State Council. 10. (1) The State Council shall consist of a Chairperson and not less than four other Members to be appointed by the appropriate Government, in such manner as may be prescribed, from amongst persons having adequate knowledge of and professional experience in the management of educational institutions, on the recommendations of a Selection Committee: Provided that a person who is, or has been, in the service of the State Government shall not be appointed as Chairperson of the State Council, unless such person has held the post of Additional Secretary to the Central Government or any equivalent post in the Central Government or State Government: Provided further that a person who is, or has been, in the service of the State Government shall not be appointed as a member of the State Council, unless such person has held the post of Secretary to the State Government or any equivalent post in the State Government or Central Government. (2) The Selection Committee shall consist of the following, namely– (a) Chief Justice of the High Court concerned or a person nominated by him in this behalf, in such manner as may be prescribed – Chairperson; (b) Secretary of the Ministry of Education of the State Government - Member; ; and (c) Secretary of the Department of Law of the State Government - Member: (3) The Selection Committee shall regulate its own procedure in a transparent manner for selecting the Chairperson and Members of the State Council. (4) The Selection Committee, while screening potential candidates and before making recommendations for their appointment as Chairperson or member of the State Council, shall satisfy that such person does not have any financial, pecuniary or other interest, as is likely to affect prejudicially their function in such capacity, and such findings of the Selection Committee shall be recorded in writing. Term of office and other conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members of the State Council. 11. (1) The Chairperson and Members of the State Council shall hold office for a term not exceeding five years from the date upon which they enter their office, or until they attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier, and shall not be eligible for re-appointment. (2) The salary and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the Chairperson and Members of the State Council, shall be such as may be prescribed and shall not be varied to their disadvantage during their tenure. Resignation and Removal. 12. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) of section 11, the Chairperson or a Member of the State Council, as the case may be, may, by writing under his hand to the appropriate Government, resign from his office, by giving a notice to that effect of not less than three months, in the prescribed form and on acceptance of the same, the resignation shall take effect and the office of the Chairperson or a Member, as the case may be, shall become vacant: Provided that in the case of a Member, the resignation shall be routed through the Chairperson of the State Council. (2) The appropriate Government may, , by order, remove from office, the Chairperson or any Member of the State Council, if the Chairperson or such other Member, as the case may be,— (a) has been adjudged as an insolvent; or (b) is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for an offence, involving moral turpitude; or (c) becomes of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent Court; or (d) refuses toa act or has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a Member; or (e) has acquired such financial or other interest which is likely to affect prejudicially his functions; or (f) has, in the opinion of the appropriate Government, so abused his office as to render his continuance in office detrimental to the interest of the office or public interest: Provided that the Chairperson or a Member shall not be removed from his office on the grounds specified under clause (e) or (f) of sub-section (2) except after an inquiry made by a Judge of the High Court in which such Chairperson or Member has been informed of the charges against him and given a reasonable opportunity of being heard in respect of those charges. (3) Any vacancy caused under sub-sections (1) and (2) shall be filled up within a period of three monthsfrom the date on which such vacancy occurs: Provided that the Chairperson or any other member appointed against a casual vacancy shall hold office only for the remainder of the term of the Chairperson or member in whose place he has been appointed. Restrictions on employment of Chairperson and Members after cessation of office. 13. (1) The Chairperson or a Member of the State Council, ceasing to hold office as such, shall not – (a) accept any employment in, or connected with, the management or administration of, any person or organisation which has been associated with any work under this Act, from the date on which he ceases to hold office: Provided that nothing contained in this clause shall apply to any employment under the appropriate Government or a local authority or in any statutory authority or any corporation established by or under any Central, State or provincial Act or a Government Company, as defined under clause (45) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013, which is not a promoter as per the provisions of this Act; or 18 of 2013. (b) act, for or on behalf of any person or organisation in connection with any specific proceeding or transaction or negotiation or a case to which the State Council is a party and with respect to which the Chairperson or such Member had, before cessation of office, acted for or provided advice to the State Council; or (c) give advice to any person using information which was obtained in his capacity as the Chairperson or a Member and being unavailable to or not being able to be made available to the public; or (d) enter into a contract of service with or accept an appointment to a Board of Directors of, or accept an offer of employment with, an entity with which he had direct and significant official dealings during his term of office as such. (2) The Chairperson and Members shall not communicate with or reveal to any person any matter which had been brought under his consideration or known to him while acting as such. Vacancies, etc. not to invalidate acts or proceedings of the State Council. 14. No act or proceeding of the State Council shall be questioned or shall be invalid merely by reason of— (a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of the State Council; or (b) any defect in the appointment of a person as Chairperson or Member thereof; or (c) any irregularity in the procedure of the State Council not affecting the merits of the case. Officers and staff of the State Council. 15. (1) The appropriate Government shall, in consultation with the State Council, appoint such number of officers and staff, as may be necessary, for the efficient discharge of the functions assigned to it and the powers conferred on it under this Act. (2) The method of recruitment, salaries and allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and staff of the State Council so appointed, shall be such as may be prescribed. Chairperson, Members, officers and staff of the State Council to be public servants. 16. The Chairperson, Members, officers and staff of the State Council shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, to be public servants within the meaning of sub section (2) of section 28 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 45 of 2023. Functions of the State Council. 17. (1) The State Council shall perform all or any of the following functions, namely— (a) register and regulate educational consultancies registered under this Act in accordance with the procedure laid down under section 3; (b) publish and maintain a website or online portal of records, for public viewing, of all educational consultancies for which registration has been given, with such details as may be prescribed, including information provided in the application based on which registration has been granted; (c) receive, record and address the grievances submitted by any aggrieved person about the conduct of any educational consultancy, whether registered or unregistered; (d) maintain a database, on its website, for public viewing, and enter the names and photographs of promoters of educational consultancies, who have been identified by the State Council to have avoided registration under the Act; (e) maintain a database, on its website, for public viewing, and enter the names and photographs of promoters of educational consultancies who have applied and registered under this Act, with such details as may be prescribed, including those whose registration has been rejected or revoked; (f) ensure compliance of its regulations or orders or directions made in exercise of its powers under this Act and take appropriate action against those found to be in contravention thereof; (g) perform such other functions as may be entrusted to it by the appropriate Government, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act; (h) assess educational consultancies for their compliance to the regulations framed under the Act; examine the qualifications and experience of the consultants of the educational consultancies and ensure that they maintain the requisite standards of service; and (i) any other function, as may be assigned to it by the appropriate Government, from time to time. (2) A complainant may approach the State Council and register a complaint therewith in the prescribed form and manner and the State Council shall endeavour to adjudicate on the complaint, preferably within one hundred and eighty days from the date of registration of the complaint. Powers of the State Council. 18. (1) The State Council shall have the following powers, namely:— (a) formulate regulations under the Act and issue directions for the implementation of the provisions of the Act, as deemed necessary; (b) carry out regular inspections to monitor educational consultancies; (c) deregister educational consultancies that do not comply with the rules and regulations framed hereinunder; and (d) impose penalty for offences committed under this Act or whoever acts in contravention of the Act, rules and regulations made thereunder. (2) The State Council shall, while exercising the powers given under sub section (1), be guided by the principles of natural justice and, the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder. State Council to have powers of a Civil Court. 19. The State Council shall, while investigating complaints received under sub section (2) of section 17 and exercising the powers conferred under section 18, have all the powers of a Civil Court trying a suit and in particular, in respect of the following matters, namely:— (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of any document; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office; (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents; and (f) any other matter which may be prescribed. CHAPTER V EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANCIES APPELLATE TRIBUNAL Establishment of the Educational Consultancies Appellate Tribunal. 20. (1) The appropriate Government shall, within a period of one year from the date of commencement of this Act, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish an Appellate Tribunal to be known as the — (name of the State/Union Territory) Educational Consultancies Appellate Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as the Appellate Tribunal). (2) The appropriate Government may, if it deems necessary, establish one or more benches of the Appellate Tribunal, for various jurisdictions, in a State or Union Territory, as the case may be. (3) The appropriate Government of two or more States or Union Territories may, if they deem fit, establish one single Appellate Tribunal: Provided that, until the establishment of an Appellate Tribunal under this section, the appropriate Government shall designate, by order, any Appellate Tribunal functioning under any law for the time being in force, to be the Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals under the Act: Provided further that after the Appellate Tribunal under this section is established, all matters pending with the Appellate Tribunal designated to hear appeals, shall stand transferred to the Appellate Tribunal so established and shall be heard from the stage such appeal is transferred. Appeals to the Appellate Tribunal. 21. (1) The appropriate Government or the competent authority or any person aggrieved by any direction or order or decision of the State Council under this Act may prefer an appeal to the Appellate Tribunal having jurisdiction over the matter. (2) Every appeal made under sub-section (1) shall be preferred within a period of sixty days from the date on which a copy of the direction or order or decision made by the State Council is received by the appropriate Government or the competent authority or the aggrieved person and it shall be in such form and accompanied by such fee, as may be prescribed: Provided that the Appellate Tribunal may entertain any appeal after the expiry of sixty days if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within that period. (3) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1), the Appellate Tribunal may after giving the parties a reasonable opportunity of being heard, pass such orders, including interim orders, as it thinks fit. (4) The Appellate Tribunal shall send a copy of every order made by it to the parties and to the State Council. (5) The appeal preferred under sub-section (1), shall be dealt with by the Appellate Tribunal, as expeditiously as possible and endeavour shall be made by it to dispose of the appeal within a period of sixty days from the date of receipt of such appeal: Provided that where any such appeal could not be disposed of within the said period of sixty days, the Appellate Tribunal shall record its reasons in writing for not disposing of the appeal within that period.. (6) The Appellate Tribunal may, for the purpose of examining the legality or propriety or correctness of any order or decision of the State Council , on its own motion or otherwise, call for the records relevant to deposing of such appeal and make such orders as it thinks fit. Composition of the Appellate Tribunal. 22. (1) Every bench of the Appellate Tribunal shall consist of a Chairperson and not less than two whole time Members, of which one shall be a Judicial member and other shall be a Technical or Administrative Member, to be appointed by the appropriate Government. (2) The salary and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the Chairperson and other Members of the Appellate Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed and shall not be varied to their disadvantage during their tenure. Qualifications for appointment as Chairperson and Members of the Appellate Tribunal. 23. (1) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as the Chairperson or a Member of the Appellate Tribunal unless he,— (a) in the case of Chairperson, is or has been a Judge of a High Court; (b) in the case of a Judicial Member, he has held a judicial office in the territory of India for at least fifteen years or has been a member of the Indian Legal Service and has held the post of Additional Secretary of that service or any equivalent post, or has been an advocate for at least twenty years; and (c) in the case of a Technical or Administrative Member, he is a person who is well-versed in the field and possesses experience of at least twenty years in the educational services field or who has held a post in the Central Government or a State Government equivalent to the post of Additional Secretary to the Government of India or an equivalent post in the State Government. (2) The Chairperson of the Appellate Tribunal shall be appointed by the appropriate Government in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court or his nominee. (3) The Judicial Members and Technical or Administrative Members of the Appellate Tribunal shall be appointed by the appropriate Government on the recommendations of a Selection Committee consisting of the Chief Justice of the High Court or his nominee, the Secretary of the Department handling Housing in the appropriate Government and the Law Secretary in the appropriate Government. Officers and staff of the Appellate Tribunal. 24. (1) The appropriate Government shall provide to each bench of the Appellate Tribunal with such number of officers and staff, as may be considered necessary, to assist it in its efficient functioning. (2) The method of recruitment and the qualifications and experience of as well as the salary and allowances payable to, and other terms and conditions of service of, the officers and staff, so appointed to assist the Appellate Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed. Chairperson, Members, officers and staff of the Appellate Tribunal to be public servants. 25. The Chairperson, Members, officers and staff of the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, to be public servants within the meaning of sub section (2) of section 28 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 45 of 2023. Powers of the Appellate Tribunal. 26. (1) The Appellate Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice. 5 of 1908. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Appellate Tribunal shall have power to regulate its own procedure. (3) The Appellate Tribunal shall also not be bound by the rules of evidence contained in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. 47 of 2023. (4) The Appellate Tribunal shall have, for the purpose of discharging its functions under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 in respect of the following matters, namely:— (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; (d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; (e) reviewing its decisions; (f) dismissing an application for default or directing it ex parte; and (g) any other matter which may be prescribed. (5) All proceedings before the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings for the purposes of the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 relating to offences affecting the administration of justice; and the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purposes of the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 relating to the procedure for prosecution in such cases. 46 of 2023. Appeals to High Court. 27. (1) Any person aggrieved by any decision or order of the Appellate Tribunal, may, file an appeal to the High Court concerned, within a period of sixty days from the date of communication of the decision or order of the Appellate Tribunal, to him, on any one or more of the grounds specified in section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908: 5 of 1908. Provided that the High Court may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of sixty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal within the specified period. (2) No appeal shall lie against any decision or order made by the Appellate Tribunal with the consent of the parties. CHAPTER VI OFFENCES AND PUNISHMENTS Unauthorised operation of educational consultancy. 28. If any educational consultancy , contravenes the provisions of section 3, it shall be guilty of the offence of “unauthorised operation of educational consultancy” and shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to two years, or with fine of one lakh rupees, or with both. Misrepresentation and Fraudulent Practices. 29. Any educational consultancy which, by misrepresentation or through fraudulent means, induces a student to pay fees or other charges under the pretence of securing admission to an educational institution or employment, shall be guilty of the offence of “misrepresentation and fraudulent practices” and shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to three years, or with fine of two lakh and fifty thousand rupees, or with both. Breach of trust amounting to cheating. 30. Whoever, being in any manner entrusted with the responsibility to provide educational consultancy services, or having carried out such responsibilities, dishonestly fails to deliver or misappropriates those services, or dishonestly uses or neglects the provision of those services in violation of any legal obligation, direction, or contractual agreement, express or implied, related to the discharge of such trust, or wilfully allows any other person to do so, shall be guilty of the offence of “breach of trust amounting to cheating” and shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to five years, or with fine of one lakh rupees, or with both. Obstruction of the functioning of the State Council. 31. Any person who wilfully obstructs or hinders the functioning of the State Council or its officers in the exercise of their duties under this Act shall be guilty of the offence of “Obstruction of the functioning of the State Council” and shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend up to two years, or a fine of one lakh rupees, or with both. Offences by companies. 32. (1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who, at the time, the offence was committed was in charge of, or was responsible to the company for the conduct of, the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly: Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section, shall render any such person liable to any punishment under this Act if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. Explanation.—For the purpose of this section,— (a) “company” means anybody corporate and includes a firm, or other association of individuals; and (b) “director” in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm. CHAPTER VII FINANCE, ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT Grants and loans by the Central Government. 33. The Central Government may, after due appropriation made by Parliament in this behalf, make to the Central Advisory Council and the State Council of the Union territories without Legislature, grants and loans of such sums of money as that Government may think fit for being utilised for the purposes of this Act. Grants and loans by the State or Union territory Government. 34. The State or Union territory Government may, after due appropriation made by State or Union territory Legislature, as the case may be, by law in this behalf, make to the State Council concerned, grants and loans of such sums of money as the State or Union territory Government may think fit for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Constitution of Fund. 35. (1) The appropriate Government shall constitute a fund to be called the 'Educational Consultancies Fund’ and there shall be credited thereto,— (a) all Government grants received by the State Council; (b) the fees received under this Act; (c) the interest accrued on the amounts referred to in clauses (a) to (b). (2) The Fund shall be applied for meeting— (a) the salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and other Members and the administrative expenses including the salaries and allowances payable to the officers and other employees of the State Council and the Appellate Tribunal; (b) the other expenses of the State Council in connection with the discharge of its functions and for the purposes of this Act. (3) The Fund shall be administered by a Committee of such Members of the State Council as may be determined by the Chairperson of that Council. (4) The Committee appointed under sub-section (3) shall spend monies out of the Fund for carrying out the objects for which the Fund has been constituted. Crediting sums realised by way of penalties to the Consolidated Fund of India or State Account. 36. (1) All sums realised, by way of penalties, imposed by the State Council or the Appellate Tribunal, in the Union Territories, shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India. (2) All sums realised, by way of penalties, imposed by the State Council or the Appellate Tribunal, in a State, shall be credited to such account as the State Government may specify Budget, Accounts and Audit. 37. (1) The State Council shall prepare a budget, maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the appropriate Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. (2) The accounts of the State Council shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India or bat such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the State Council to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. (3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General and any person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Authority under this Act shall have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor General generally has in connection with the audit of Government accounts and, in particular shall have the right to demand and production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers, and to inspect any of the offices of the State Council. (4) The accounts of the State Council, as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General or any other person appointed by him in this behalf, together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the appropriate Government by the State Council and the appropriate Government shall cause the audit report to be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament or, as the case may be, before the State Legislature or the Union territory Legislature, where it consists of two Houses, or where such legislature consists of one House, before that House. Annual Report. 38. (1) The State Council shall prepare, in such form and manner and at such time of each financial year, as may be prescribed by the appropriate Government, its annual report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous financial year, and submit a copy thereof to the appropriate Government. (2) A copy of the report received under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is received, before each House of Parliament or, as the case may be, before each House of the State Legislature or the Union territory Legislature, where it consists of two Houses, or where such legislature consists of one House, before that House. CHAPTER VIII MISCELLANEOUS Power of the appropriate Government to make rules and of the State Council to make regulations. 39. (1) The appropriate Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The State Council may, from time to time, with the approval of the appropriate Government, by notification in the Official Gazette, make regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, to provide for all matters for which provision is necessary or expedient for the purposes of giving effect to the provisions of this Act. (3) Every rule made by the Central Government and every regulation made by the State Council of the Union territories without Legislature under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule. Houses agree that the rule or regulation should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. (4) Every rule made by the State Government or the Union Territory Government, as the case may be and every regulation made by the State Council of the State Government or the Union Territory Government, as the case may be, under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature or the Union Territory Legislature, where it consists of two Houses, or where such legislature consists of one House, before that House. Act to have overriding effect. 40. The provisions of this Act shall have effect, notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force. Power to remove difficulties. 41. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by order, published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to be necessary for removing the difficulty: Provided that no order shall be made under thissection after the expiry of five years from the commencement of this Act. (2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament. STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS Educational consultancies in India are organizations or individuals that offer professional advice and support to students seeking higher education opportunities, both within the country and abroad. In India, educational consultancies play a significant role due to the diverse and often complex landscape of educational opportunities available across different regions and disciplines. Their core functions include assisting students in selecting appropriate educational institutions, navigating admission processes, and completing application procedures. They also provide services such as career counselling, entrance exam preparation, and visa assistance for studying abroad. These consultancies may also engage in promotional activities to showcase educational programs and institutions, organizing seminars and workshops to inform and attract potential students. Furthermore, they assist educational institutions by managing recruitment campaigns and facilitating connections with prospective students. As the number and influence of these consultancies grow, there is a need for a regulatory body to ensure quality and ethical practices. This Bill outlines the features and structure of a Central Advisory Council for Educational Consultancies and a State Council for Educational Consultancies in each State and Union territory to oversee and regulate the functioning of educational consultancies in India and makes their registration mandatory. The Bill also provides a grievance redressal mechanism for the general public within the structure of the State Council and for an Appellate Tribunal in each State and Union territory to hear and decide on appeals against the decisions of the State Council. Offences by educational consultancies and penalties for each such offence has also been well-defined in the Bill for strict compliance of the provisions thereof. With a well-defined structure and comprehensive features, the regulatory mechanism proposed for educational consultancies and the services rendered by them would ensure ethical practices in the industry, protect the interests of students and parents, and contribute to the overall improvement of the educational landscape in India. The Bill seeks to achieve the above-mentioned objectives. A.A. RAHIM. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 4 of the Bill provides for the establishment and maintenance of a publicly accessible online portal registration status and other relevant details of educational consultancies by the State Council. Clause 5 provides for the establishment of a Central Advisory Council for Educational Consultancies whereas Clause 6 provides for the salary and allowances as well as other conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members thereof. Clause 7 of the Bill provides for the officers and staff of the Central Advisory Council and for the salary and allowances payable to them as well as the other conditions of their service. Clause 9 of the Bill provides for the establishment of a State Council for Educational Consultancies in each State and Union territory. Clause 10 of the Bill provides for the composition of the State Council whereas Clause 11 provides for the salary and allowances payable to and other conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members thereof. Clause 15 provides for the officers and staff of the State Council and for the salary and allowances payable to them as well as the other terms and conditions of their service. Clause 20 provides for the establishment of an Educational Consultancies Appellate Tribunal in each State and Union territory to adjudicate disputes and hear appeals arising out of the decisions of the State Council. Clause 22 of the Bill provides for the composition of the Appellate Tribunal and for the salary and allowances payable to and other conditions of service of the Chairperson and Members thereof. Clause 24 of the Bill provides for such number of officers and staff as may be required to assist the Appellate Tribunal and for the salary and allowances payable to them and for the other conditions of their service. Clause 33 of the Bill provides for the Central Government to provide adequate funds to the Central Advisory Council and the State Council of the Union territories without Legislature to aid its efficient functioning. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve expenditure, both of recurring and non-recurring nature, from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, it is difficult to estimate the exact quantum of expenditure likely to be involved at this stage. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 39 of the Bill empowers the appropriate Government to frame rules and the State Council to frame regulations with the approval of the appropriate Government for implementation of the provisions of this Act. Clause 41 provides that the Central Government may, make such provisions, by order, as may be necessary for removing any difficulty to give effect to the provisions of this Bill. As the rules, or orders will relate to matters of procedural and administrative details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. XI Bill No. LXVII of 2025 A Bill to provide employees with the right to disconnect from work-related communications outside working hours by establishing comprehensive framework for work-life balance to protect the mental health and well-being of employee, and to ensure equitable labour practices in the digital age and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY 1. (1) This Act may be called the Right to Disconnect Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint. Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— (a) "appropriate Government" means the Central Government in respect of establishments falling under its jurisdiction, and the State Government in respect of other establishments; (b) "digital wellness" means and includes the pursuit of an optimal balance between digital technology use and physical and mental well being for a life with human dignity; (c) "employee" shall have the same meaning as defined in clause (26) of section 2 of the Code on Social Security, 2020; 36 of 2020. (d) "employer" shall have the same meaning as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; 35 of 2020. (e) “performance appraisal” means and includes the performance appraisal evaluations in any form carried out by the employer; (f) “policy” means the Right to Disconnect policy to be formulated and implemented by every employer under section 4 of this Act; (g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (h) "working hours" shall have the same meaning as has been provided in Chapter VII of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020; 37 of 2020. (i) "work-related communication" includes but is not limited to: (i) emails, text messages, instant messages, and voice messages; (ii) phone calls and video calls; (iii) notifications from work applications and software; and (iv) any form of digital or electronic communication initiated by the employer, supervisors, colleagues, or clients related to work matters. CHAPTER II RIGHT TO DISCONNECT Right of employeesto disconnect. 3. (1) Every employee shall have the right to disconnect from work-related communications outside of working hours, on weekly holidays, public holidays, and during periods of sanctioned leave subject to the exclusions and limitations specifically provided under this Act and the rules made thereunder. (2) The employer shall not take any action including retrenchment, disciplinary action, penalties during performance appraisal, or any other adverse consequence for exercising the right guaranteed under sub section (1). (3) The right to disconnect means and shall include: (a) the right to not respond to work-related communications outside working hours, on weekly holidays, public holidays and during periods of sanctioned leave; (b) the right to not be penalized for delayed responses to non urgent communications; (c) the right to have personal time respected and protected; and (d) the right to mental rest and recuperation. (4) Any limitation under sub-section (1) shall be: (a) clearly specified in the employment contract, in such manner as may be prescribed; (b) reasonable and proportionate; (c) accompanied by appropriate compensation, as may be prescribed; and (d) subject to periodic review. CHAPTER III DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS Mandatory Right to Disconnect policy. 4. (1) Every employer employing ten or more employees shall, within six months from the date of commencement of this Act, formulate and implement a comprehensive Right to Disconnect policy in consultation with employee representatives or recognized trade unions, as the case may be, in such form and manner as may be prescribed. (2) The policy shall include: (a) clearly defined working hours and availability periods; (b) specific modes and timing of permissible after-working hours communication; (c) detailed emergency contact protocols and definitions; (d) response time expectations for different types of communication; (e) grievance redressal mechanisms and complaint procedures; (f) disciplinary measures for policy violations; (g) digital wellness programs and mental health support initiatives; and (h) regular policy review and update mechanisms. (3) The policy shall be: (a) notified and filed with the Labour Commissioner having competent jurisdiction within thirty days of its formulation: Provided that the Labour Commissioner concerned shall ensure that the policy is strictly complied with by all employers under his jurisdiction and shall take necessary action for non-compliance, in such manner as may be prescribed; (b) made accessible to all employees in multiple languages as may be prescribed; (c) displayed prominently at the workplace and on company digital platforms; (d) included in employee handbooks and induction programs; and (e) included as a compliance report under the Companies Act, 2013. 18 of 2013. Employer obligations for digital wellness. 5. Every employer shall implement necessary measures to promote digital wellness including: (a) training programs on healthy technology use; (b) periodic digital detox initiatives; (c) ergonomic assessments for remote and hybrid workers; (d) mental health support services and counseling facilities; and (e) regular surveys to assess work-life balance satisfaction. Prohibition of action against employee. 6. No employer shall: (a) terminate, demote, or take any disciplinary action against an employee; (b) reduce wages, benefits, or opportunities for career advancement; (c) create a hostile work environment; and (d) exclude employees from meetings, projects, or communi cations as punishment; for exercising their right to disconnect in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the policy formulated and implemented. CHAPTER IV ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE Grievance redressal mechanism. 7. (1) Every establishment shall establish an Internal Grievance Committee comprising of twelve members: (a) with six members to be nominated by the employer and five members to be nominated by the employees, in such manner as may be prescribed; and (b) one member, who shall be a psychologist, to be nominated by the employer possessing such qualifications and experience and in such manner and with such salary or allowances and on such terms and conditions, as may be prescribed. (2) Any aggrieved employee may file a complaint with the Internal Grievance Committee, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, who shall, after due inquiry and process conducted in such manner as may be prescribed, render a written decision within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the complaint. (3) If the finding of the Internal Grievance Committee is against the employer, then the employer shall be liable to a fine up to fifty thousand rupees, which shall be paid to the complainant: Provided that no such fine shall be imposed without giving the employer concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard. CHAPTER V PENALTIES Penaltiesfor non compliance. 8. Every employer failing to formulate or implement a disconnection policy as provided under section 4 shall be liable to: (a) a fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but may extend to two lakh rupees; and (b) in case of continued non-compliance even after receipt of notice from the Labour Commissioner, an additional fine of two thousand rupees for each day such non-compliance is continued. CHAPTER VI MISCELLANEOUS Annual reporting and evaluation. 9. (1) The appropriate Government shall prepare once every year, as may be prescribed, and publish an annual report including therein:— (a) implementation status of this Act across various sectors within their jurisdiction; (b) the levels of compliance and details of enforcement actions; (c) impact assessment on employee well-being and productivity; and (d) recommendations for policy improvements. (2) The appropriate Government shall cause a copy of the annual report to be laid, as the case may be, before each House of Parliament or each House of the State legislature, where it consists of two Houses or where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House. Appropriate Government to provide funds. 10. The appropriate Government, shall from time to time, after due appropriation made by Parliament or the State Legislature, as the case may be, by law in this behalf, provide requisite funds for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Power to make rules. 11. (1) The Central Government may, in consultation with the State Governments, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (2) The State Governments may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for matters falling within their respective jurisdiction, provided such rules shall not be inconsistent with this Act or the rules made by the Central Government. (3) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or regulation or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. (4) Every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature where it consists of two Houses, or where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House. Power to remove difficulties. 12. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, make such order, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to be necessary for removing such difficulty: Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of three years from the date of commencement of this Act. (2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made before each House of Parliament. Act not in derogation and to supplement other laws. 13. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other law for the time being in force dealing with the subject matter of this Act. STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS The rapid digitization of workplaces and the proliferation of communication technologies have fundamentally transformed the nature of work in India. While these developments have brought numerous benefits, they have also created an "always-on" culture that blurs the boundaries between work and personal life, leading to significant mental health challenges, increased stress levels, and deteriorating work-life balance among employees. Recent studies indicate that over 80 per cent. of Indian professionals report experiencing work-related stress outside of normal working hours, with particularly severe impact on women, young professionals, and those in the information technology sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these issues, with remote work arrangements often leading to extended working hours and constant connectivity expectations. International best practices from countries such as France, Belgium, Portugal, and Australia demonstrate that legislative frameworks establishing the Right to Disconnect can effectively protect employee welfare while maintaining business efficiency. The European Union has also recognized the Right to Disconnect as a fundamental digital right for workers. This Bill seeks to address these challenges by establishing a comprehensive legal framework that: • Recognizes the fundamental right of employees to disconnect from work-related communications outside working hours; • Establishes clear obligations for employers to respect this right and implement appropriate policies; • Provides robust enforcement mechanisms including penalties for violations and protection against retaliation; • Promotes digital wellness and mental health support in workplaces; • Balances business needs with employee welfare through reasonable exceptions and sector-specific guidelines; and • Ensures comprehensive coverage including traditional employees, gig workers, and platform workers. The Bill aims to create a healthier, more productive workforce while positioning India as a progressive nation that values both technological advancement and human well-being. By codifying the right to disconnect, India can lead by example in addressing the challenges of the digital age while maintaining its competitive edge in the global economy. The proposed legislation is expected to benefit millions of workers across sectors, reduce workplace stress and burnout, improve family relationships and social cohesion, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable and equitable model of economic growth. Hence, this Bill. A. A. RAHIM. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 5 of the Bill provides that every employer shall implement necessary measures to promote digital wellness amongst its employees including training programs on healthy technology use, periodic digital detox initiatives, ergonomic assessments for remote and hybrid workers, mental health support services and counselling facilities and regular surveys to assess work-life balance satisfaction. Sub-clause (1) of clause 7 of the Bill provides that every establishment shall establish an Internal Grievance Committee consisting of twelve Members, out of which one shall be a psychologist, to be nominated by the employer possessing such qualifications and experience and in such manner and with such salary or allowances and on such terms and conditions, as may be prescribed. Sub-clause (3) of clause 7 provides that if the finding of the Internal Grievance Committee is against the employer, then the employer shall be liable to a fine up to fifty thousand rupees, which shall be paid to the complainant. Clause 10 of the Bill provides that the appropriate Government shall provide adequate funds for carrying out the purposes of the Bill. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, will involve expenditure, both of recurring and non-recurring nature, from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, it is not possible at this stage, to make an exact estimate of the expenditure likely to be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 11 of the Bill empowers the Central Government and State Governments to make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Bill. Clause 12 empowers the Central Government to make such provisions through an order for removing any difficulty that might arise in giving effect to the provisions of the Bill. As the rules and orders will relate to matters of procedural and administrative detail only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. XII Bill No. XXVI of 2025 A Bill further to amend the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:⸺ 1. (1) This Act may be called the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Amendment of section 4. 2. In section 4 of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), for clause (1), the following shall be substituted, namely⸺ “(1) Whoever, being a public servant, wilfully neglects his duties required to be performed by him under this Act,⸺ (i) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year; (ii) in addition to the punishment specified under clause (i), such public servant shall be subject to departmental proceedings, in accordance with the applicable service rules; and (iii) where such public servant is found to have repeatedly failed in the discharge of such duties without reasonable cause, he may, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, be dismissed from the service.” 33 of 1989. Amendment of section 21. 3. In section 21 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2), after clause (vii), the following new clauses shall be inserted, namely,⸺ “(viii) the conduct of regular training programs for law enforcement offices, judicial officers, and government officials to ensure they are well-versed with the provisions of this Act and sensitive to the issues faced by members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes; and (ix) the launching of public awareness campaigns to educate the general public about the rights and protections provided under this Act.” STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS As per ‘Crime in India 2022’, published by National Crime Records Bureau, a total of 57582 and 10064 crimes were registered against Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) respectively, in the year 2022. Both of these numbers were an increase from what was registered in the previous year. In the same report, the number of victims reported under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (PoA Act) alone, i.e., in cases not involving any provisions of the Indian Penal Code, for the year 2022, was 4713. In Lata Singh v. the State of UP (AIR 2006 SCC 2522), Supreme Court has said, “The caste system is a curse on the nation and the sooner it is destroyed the better. In fact, it is dividing the nation at a time when we have to be united to face the challenges before the nation unitedly.” In the case of Subhash Kashinath Mahajan v. The State of Maharashtra (AIR 2018 SC 1498), the Supreme Court opined that SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act (i.e., the PoA Act) is being misused and checks are needed to prevent such misuse. The act had to be interpreted in a manner which will ensure that “casteism is not perpetuated” through the implementation of the law. The court also noted that the legislature never intended for innocent citizens to be termed as accused through this act. However, it noted that this Act has become an instrument to blackmail or to wreak personal vengeance which wasn’t the motive of the legislators while bringing forward the Act. This judgement was nullified through the insertion of Section 18A in the Act whose constitutionality was upheld in the case of Prathvi Raj Chauhan v. Union of India. However, observations as made above can’t be absolutely neglected. In P. Mariappan v. The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Coimbatore Range and Ors. (MANU/TN/0657/2014), the Madras HC directed the Superintendent of Police to register a case against the Inspector of Police under Section 4 of the PoA Act, because he had investigated into the complaint of the Petitioner himself, and had failed to put the files on record for the orders of the Superintendent of Police. The Court noted that this investigation could not have been done by the Inspector of Police, but had to be done by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police as per Section 7 of the PoA Act. The Court also held the State Government responsible for compensating the Petitioner, because the police officials of the State Government had passed an order to bar the Petitioner from entering the village altogether. Various studies and reports like that of National Dalit Movement for Justice Report, 2020, State of Policing in India Report (2018) by Common Cause and Lokniti CSDS etc. indicate that biases against marginalised communities often influence how cases are handled. Many public servants also lack comprehensive knowledge of the Act, hence mandatory sensitivity training can play a key role in combating prejudices that may otherwise hinder the fair treatment. Regular training would create a culture of accountability, making it easier to identify and address failures in enforcement. This sort of training also aligns with Article 46 of the Constitution which directs the state to promote the educational and economic interests of SC/ST communities and protect them from social injustice and exploitation. Public servants often handle a high volume of cases, and negligence can sometimes stem from a lack of accountability. Increasing the minimum punishment from six months to one year emphasizes the gravity of neglect and signals that willful negligence will not be tolerated. Departmental proceedings can be initiated more promptly than criminal trials, providing an immediate accountability mechanism for dereliction of duty. When public servants know that departmental actions like suspension, demotion, or reprimand are possible, they are more likely to approach SC/ST cases with diligence and seriousness. Hence this Bill. MANOJ KUMAR JHA. FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 3 of the Bill provides for the establishment of a geo-tagged National Defibrillator Registry. Clause 21 provides that the Central Government shall provide requisite funds for carrying out the purposes of this Act. The Bill, therefore, if enacted, would involve expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India. However, at this juncture, it is difficult to estimate the actual expenditure likely to be involved. MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 13 empowers the Central and State Government, as the case may be, to make rules, to carry out the provisions of this Bill. Clause 15 provides that the Central Government may, make such order, as may be necessary, for removing any difficulty to give effect to the provisions of this Bill. As the rules, or orders will relate to matters of procedural and administrative details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character. XXVI Bill No. XV of 2026 A Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows: — 1. (1) This Act may be called the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2026. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Amendment of article15. 2. In article 15 of the Constitution, for clause (4), the following new clause shall be substituted:— “(4) Nothing in this article or in clause (2) of article 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens proportionate to their population in the caste census or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.” Amendment of article 16. 3. In article 16 of the Constitution, for clauses (4) & (4A), the following new clauses shall be substituted, namely:— “(4) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State proportionate to their population in the caste census. (4A) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for reservation in matters of promotion, with consequential seniority, to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes which, in the opinion of the State, are not adequately represented in the services under the State.” Amendment of article 124. 4. In article 124 of the Constitution, after clause (2A), the following new clauses shall be inserted, namely:— “(2B) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court shall be made by giving due representation to members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, religious minorities and women, in proportion to their population in the country: Provided that the provisions of this clause shall not apply to such categories which are already represented in the total strength of Judges of the Supreme Court in proportion to their population in the country. (2C) Subject to the provisions of clause (2B), the Central Government shall frame a Memorandum of Procedure for appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, setting out the timelines and procedure including identifying, assessing, recommending, and appointing suitable candidates as Judges of the Supreme Court. (2D) If the Chief Justice or Judge of any High Court is being considered for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court, the Central Government shall consult the Government of that State before making such appointment. (2E) The Central Government shall either return or notify any recommendation of the collegium of the Supreme Court for appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court within sixty days of receipt of the recommendation: Provided that if any recommendation is returned by the Central Government and the same is re-iterated by the collegium of the Supreme Court, the Central Government shall notify the same within a period of thirty days of receipt of the reiteration. Explanation— For the purpose of this clause, ‘collegium of the Supreme Court’ shall mean a Committee comprising of five senior-most Judges of the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice of India.” Substitution of article 130. 5. For article 130 of the Constitution, the following article shall be substituted, namely:— “130. (1) The Supreme Court established under Clause (1) of article 124 shall comprise of a Constitution Bench sitting at New Delhi and four Permanent Regional Benches for the northern, southern, eastern and western regions, which shall sit at New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai respectively. Constitution Bench and Permanent