Important Legislation passed in 2024 – Legal Bites Year Update

There have been a number of significant pieces of legislation passed in 2024. Let's take a look at the Important Legislation passed in 2024.

Important Legislation passed in 2024 – Legal Bites Year Update

1) Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aims to uphold the integrity of public examinations by addressing malpractices such as question paper leaks, impersonation, and misuse of electronic devices. It imposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines, on individuals and institutions involved in such activities.

The Act seeks to ensure a fair and transparent examination process, protecting the credibility of public examinations and fostering trust in the education system.

2) Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024

The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, modernizes India’s aviation laws by replacing the Aircraft Act, 1934. It governs the regulation and oversight of aircraft design, manufacture, maintenance, operation, ownership, sale, export, and import, aligning aviation laws with current technological advancements and international standards.

This Act aims to enhance safety, streamline processes, and promote compliance in the rapidly evolving aviation sector while addressing contemporary challenges in air transportation and aerospace development.

3) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, introduced key reforms to India's water pollution regulatory framework, focusing on balancing environmental protection with ease of business. It decriminalizes minor offences, replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹15 lakhs, and exempts certain industrial plants from prior consent requirements to streamline processes.

The Act enhances regulatory oversight by empowering the central government to standardize the appointment of State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) chairpersons and regulate industry-related consents. It imposes strict penalties for tampering with monitoring devices and appoints adjudicating officers to handle penalties, with appeals directed to the National Green Tribunal.

4) Assam Tourism (Development & Registration) Act, 2024

Assam Tourism (Development & Registration) Act, 2024, is a legislative initiative aimed at promoting sustainable tourism, enhancing infrastructure, and ensuring the registration and regulation of tourism-related entities in Assam. The Act mandates the registration of all tourism service providers, including hotels, travel agencies, and guides, to standardize services and improve accountability.

It also outlines measures for the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, promotion of eco-tourism, and development of lesser-known tourist destinations. The Act empowers authorities to impose penalties for non-compliance and ensures collaboration between government bodies and private stakeholders to boost Assam's tourism sector while preserving its unique biodiversity and cultural identity.

5) Delhi Goods and Services (Second Amendment) Act, 2024

Delhi Goods and Services (Second Amendment) Act, 2024, introduces key changes to the GST framework in Delhi to streamline compliance, enhance revenue collection, and align with recent national GST Council recommendations. The amendments address procedural simplifications, revise tax slabs for specific goods and services, and introduce stricter penalties for tax evasion and fraudulent claims.

The Act also incorporates provisions for digital filing enhancements, enabling better tracking of transactions through automated systems. By fostering greater transparency and efficiency, the amendment aims to bolster Delhi's fiscal management while ensuring ease of doing business for taxpayers.

6) Punjab Finance Act, 2024

The Punjab Finance Act, 2024 is a legislative measure introduced to bolster the state's fiscal resources and streamline tax administration. The Act revises tax rates on various goods and services, introduces new levies in specific sectors, and implements procedural reforms to enhance compliance and efficiency in revenue collection. It also includes provisions to address tax evasion and simplify the refund process for businesses.

With a focus on sustainable economic growth, the Act aims to generate additional revenue for the state while promoting transparency and ease of doing business for taxpayers.

7) Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act, 2024

Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act, 2024, is a regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the safe installation, operation, and maintenance of lifts and escalators in the state. The Act mandates the registration and licensing of all such equipment, periodic safety inspections, and adherence to prescribed technical standards. It holds manufacturers, installers, and building owners accountable for compliance and imposes penalties for violations.

Additionally, it emphasizes public safety through mandatory emergency measures, such as alarm systems and rescue protocols, while promoting the adoption of modern, energy-efficient technologies in vertical transportation systems.

8) Jharkhand Fire Services Act, 2024

Jharkhand Fire Services Act, 2024, establishes a comprehensive framework to enhance fire safety and prevention measures across the state. The Act mandates the registration and regular inspection of buildings, industrial establishments, and public spaces to ensure compliance with fire safety standards. It empowers fire services with modern equipment, training, and authority to enforce penalties for violations. The legislation also focuses on public awareness campaigns, fire safety audits, and the integration of advanced firefighting technologies.

By strengthening fire services infrastructure and enforcement mechanisms, the Act aims to protect lives, property, and the environment from fire-related hazards.

9) Haryana State Sports Associations Act, 2024

Haryana State Sports Associations Act, 2024, provides a structured framework for the registration, regulation, and functioning of sports associations within the state. The Act aims to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in sports administration by mandating the adoption of standardized practices and democratic election processes for association officials. It emphasizes the development of grassroots sports infrastructure, ensuring proper utilization of funds, and adherence to ethical standards.

Additionally, the Act encourages collaboration with national and international sports bodies to enhance opportunities for athletes and coaches, fostering a robust sports culture and contributing to Haryana’s reputation as a leader in athletics and competitive sports.

10) Manipur Labour Laws (Exemption from Renewal of Registration and License by Establishment) Act, 2024

Manipur Labour Laws (Exemption from Renewal of Registration and License by Establishment) Act, 2024, streamlines labour law compliance by exempting certain establishments from the repetitive process of renewing registrations and licenses under specified labour laws. The Act aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and promote ease of doing business while maintaining regulatory oversight. It introduces a one-time registration or license mechanism for eligible establishments, subject to compliance with labour welfare standards.

This initiative is designed to encourage economic growth, attract investments, and provide a conducive environment for business operations in Manipur, without compromising the rights and welfare of workers.

11) Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2024

The Competition Commission of India (General) Regulations, 2024, notified on September 17, 2024, replace the 2009 regulations to align with the amended Competition Act, 2002. These regulations introduce key updates, such as the appointment of independent monitoring agencies for merger compliance and settlements, detailed classification of applications (interlocutory and miscellaneous), and revised fee structures based on turnover and applicant nature. They strengthen procedural safeguards, including mandatory cross-examination of witnesses and enhanced submission requirements like affidavits and confidentiality markings.

The changes aim to streamline competition law enforcement, promote transparency, and ensure procedural fairness within the framework of India's competition law.

12) University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Third Amendment Regulations, 2024

The University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Third Amendment Regulations, 2024, notified on May 2, 2024, introduce key reforms to improve the quality and accessibility of online and distance education in India. The amendments streamline the recognition process for Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), ensuring compliance with quality standards and transparency in admissions.

Major updates include revised HEI eligibility criteria, improved application procedures for program approvals, and enhanced monitoring systems to uphold educational standards. These changes demonstrate the UGC's dedication to modernizing distance learning to meet evolving educational and technological demands.

13) Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024

The Government of India notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, on March 11, 2024. These rules outline the application process, including the prescribed form, the procedure for processing applications by the District Level Committee (DLC), and the scrutiny and grant of citizenship by the State Level Empowered Committee (EC).

By these rules, applications have been submitted by individuals from Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities who migrated from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to India by December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution or the fear of such persecution.

14) SEBI (Index Providers) Regulations, 2024

The SEBI (Index Providers) Regulations, 2024 establish a comprehensive framework for the governance and operations of index providers in India to ensure transparency, reliability, and accountability in the construction and management of indices used in financial markets. These regulations mandate the registration of index providers with SEBI, prescribe stringent norms for independence and conflict of interest management, and enforce standards for data integrity and accuracy.

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