Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Consult public before making new laws: NAC

Consult public before making new laws: NAC

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Apr 27, 2013   modified Modified on Apr 27, 2013
-The Times of India


The National Advisory Council (NAC) on Friday approved mandatory public consultation on new laws and rules before they are brought to Parliament. This will for the first time provide an institutional structure for civil society representatives to express their views. The "pre-legislative process'' was brought in the wake of increasing dissatisfaction over legislations piloted by the government, especially the Lokpal Bill.

The move was initiated by NAC member Aruna Roy with a view to increase accountability and transparency in governance. The scope of the pre-legislative process with respect to Central government extends to new laws and amendments to them. In effect, all government departments and ministries will have to seek public comments and suggestions if they are bringing in amendments to existing rules or laws or making new ones.

The government is likely to issue an executive order to all the ministries. The government will bring in guidelines that will provide for modes of disclosure and consultations. The pre-legislative process is expected to adhere to the principles of transparency, inclusiveness and equity. The decision is expected to lay down the protocol that will allow for civil society members to engage and debate on bills while the process of legislating remains the prerogative of the government. This would mean that the government would have to make the proposed legislation public at various stages of preparation allowing for people to debate and discuss it.

Roy has also written to NAC chairperson Sonia Gandhi seeking amendments to the Whistleblowers' Protection Act to strengthen it. Roy and the NCPRI have sought that the definition of victimization should be broadened to include not just threat to physical life and liberty but also anything that violates the act, rue, policy, violates the policy of the public authority, is not in conformity with general practice and is not based on sound reasons.

The activists felt that the law must stipulate a clear timeframe, no more than 45 days, within which the discreet inquiry by the authority must be completed to prevent inordinate delays. The recommendations, which came after a day-long tribunal where whistleblowers' and their families presented their testimonials, include people who are providing information through documents and other material to the whistleblower just also be protected.

The NCPRI has demanded that the Bill should provide for acting upon anonymous complaints if it is accompanied with adequate supporting documents which reveal a prima facie case.


The Times of India, 27 April, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Consult-public-before-making-new-laws-NAC/articleshow/19749407.cms


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close