Following closely on the heels of large-scale restructuring in the Cabinet and bureaucracy, the winter parliament session scheduled to be held from November 24th to December 23rd is expected to address the reform agenda of the NDA government. The session is expected to address several bills pending from the previous government, reintroducing relevant bills that had lapsed with the change of government, and also introduce new bills. Additionally, several key legislations that were passed by the last government might also be amended. The Modi government has driven discussion on strengthening governance and improving the business environment in India, and legislation that addresses the issues of varying tax structures across the Central and State Governments, and liberalisation of the Indian insurance sector, rank high in the list of the most anticipated bills for discussion in parliament. In an effort to ensure relevance of the legal code to contemporary situations, legislation to make antiquated laws obsolete might be introduced, while the coal sector might also be bolstered with the introduction of rules and guidelines to streamline the auction and allocation process. An environment stimulated by the incumbent government’s promises of addressing shortfalls of previous regimes, further fuelled by the promotion of conflicting interests by key opposition parties, promise to provide a dynamic session. Edelman has prepared a document that provides an overview of legislations that are likely to be introduced or discussed in this interim (attached), and our Public Affairs team will continue monitoring developments in the winter parliament session. Please reach out to us should you be interested in learning more.

1. 1
WINTER SESSION OF PARLIAMENT
Legislative Agenda Impacting Business
Nov 24 to Dec 23, 2014
SUMMARY
The Modi government is expected to take several decisive measures towards reform in the winter
session starting next week. The government is expected to discuss 67 bills pending across both houses,
introduce new bills, and pass between 24 and 35 items of legislation in 22 sittings.
Strengthening governance structures is a key focus of the new government, and the agenda for the
winter session is expected to echo the concerns of the ruling alliance in the upcoming Assembly
elections. To this effect, the government may consider removing antiquated laws through The
Repealing and Amending Bill, 2014, while making land acquisition easier for industry through
amendments to The Land Acquisition Act that was passed last year. Additionally, government may
also propose introducing legislation enabling establishment of a coal regulator, as well as of rules and
guidelines for regulating the auction process.
Given the government’s focus on raising India’s ranking as an investor-friendly nation, decisions on
several enabling enactments are expected to rank high on the parliamentary agenda, such as: The
Goods and Service Tax Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to simplify the tax regime; The
Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2008, which aims to raise the Foreign Direct Investment cap; and,
amendments to The Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act. Additionally, with an aim
towards strengthening fiscal health, the government may introduce — during the year if not during
the winter session — legislation that will draw inspiration from the Vajpayee regime’s strategies for
fiscal management. Further actions may include revising the economic indicators for anchoring
decisions on monetary control, as well as privatising loss-making public sector entities, both of which
should be monitored for their influence on market dynamics and on options for financing across
sectors.
While the government has stimulated high expectations of delivering reform and results, the regime
may face challenges during the winter session. While the National Democratic Alliance controls the
Lower House of Parliament, the alliance is a minority in the Upper House, where competing parties,
including members of the former government led by the United Progressive Alliance, may choose to
pursue different legislative agenda. While consideration and passage of bills in the upcoming session
should be expected to be influenced by, and subsequently guide, the larger development and
economic growth plans of the new government, impairments to passage of key legislation, such as
land acquisition, could affect implementation of signature, high-profile projects, like Smart Cities.
Hence, with an effort to sustain investor confidence and ensure smooth implementation of the
session, the government may exercise caution and delay review of potentially conflicting legislation.

2. 2
KEY BILLS THAT COULD BE DISCUSSED
THE REPEALING AND AMENDING BILL, 2014
THE GOODS AND SERVICE TAX CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL, 2014
THE MINES AND MINERALS (DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2014
THE REAL ESTATE (REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT) BILL, 2013
THE MINES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2011
THE INSURANCE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2008
THE COAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY BILL, 2014
THE COAL MINES (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) RULES, 2014
THE DRUGS AND COSMETICS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2013
THE FACTORIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2014
THE WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) AMENDMENT BILL, 2013
THE PESTICIDES MANAGEMENT BILL, 2008
LAND ACQUISITION ACT (AMENDMENT), 2014
THE CONSUMER PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2014
THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2013
The bills have been categorized as below:

3. 3
OVERVIEW OF KEY BILLS
THE REPEALING AND AMENDING BILL, 2014
Introduced by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Former Minister of Law and Justice, in the Lok Sabha on 11 August
2014, the Bill seeks to revoke approximately 36 enactments that have either ceased to be in force or
have become obsolete, including, The Indian Fisheries Act of 1897, The Foreign Jurisdiction Act of
1947, The Sugar Undertakings (Taking Over of Management) Act of 1978 and The Employment of
Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act of 1993. The Bill also seeks to
pass minor amendments to two laws, i.e., The Prohibition of Manual Scavengers Act, 2013, and The
Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011.
THE GOODS AND SERVICE TAX CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT BILL, 2014
Expected to be introduced by Arun Jaitley, Minister of Finance, the proposed Bill follows a Constitution
Amendment Bill that was introduced by the UPA government in the Lok Sabha in 2011, and that lapsed
with the change in government. The Bill is aimed at expediting the Goods and Service Tax (GST) regime
that will simplify the indirect tax structure while creating a national market for all goods and services.
Building a consensus among State governments would be critical for the passage of this long overdue
legislation. The government is preparing to introduce the Bill mid-session. It is hoping for a quick
resolution of persisting issues, such as compensation of short-term revenue loss to states and
inclusion of petroleum and alcohol. Given that the GST Bill is a Constitutional Amendment, state
governments will be required to vet it in state assemblies within six months of passage by the
Parliament.
THE MINES AND MINERALS (DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2014
Expected to be introduced by Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Mines, the Bill proposes to amend
the principal act to include transparent and competitive bidding processes for all minerals. The Bill
includes provisions for enforcing stiff penalties and special state-level courts to regulate illegal mining.
Auctioning, including e-auctioning, of mining leases for bulk minerals, like iron ore, bauxite and
manganese has also been proposed to address the issue of administrative delays. The Central
government may be empowered to prescribe timelines for processing applications for grant and
renewal of mining concessions. A centrally-governed additional royalty-based levy to fund District
Mineral Foundations may earmark funds for the benefit of people and infrastructure affected by
mining.
THE REAL ESTATE (REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT) BILL, 2013
Introduced by Dr. Girija Vyas, Former Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, in the Rajya
Sabha on 14 August 2013, the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Urban Development
that submitted its report on 13 February 2014. The Bill aims to make the sale of plots, apartments,

4. 4
and buildings efficient and transparent while protecting the interests of consumers. The Bill
establishes state-level tribunals - called Real Estate Appellate Tribunals (REATs) - that will have the
authority to repeal decisions of the Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERAs), also established by the
Bill.
While the Bill will override inconsistent state regulations of real estate projects, issues concerning
duration for project approval, clarity in land titles, and prevalence of black money will continue to be
included in the State Lists. Additionally, provisions mandating financing of construction projects might
also raise overall project costs in different circumstances following the Bill’s passage.
THE MINES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2011
Introduced by Mallikarjun Kharge, Former Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Employment, in the Rajya
Sabha on 23 March 2011, the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Labour. The Bill extends
the application of the principal act to the territorial waters, continental shelf, the exclusive economic
zones, and maritime zones of India, and strengthens mechanisms for monitoring the operations of
mines and safety of workers therein.
Stakeholders have expressed concern that the Bill does not distinguish application procedure for bulk
minerals from those of minerals that are difficult to access.
THE INSURANCE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2008
Introduced by Pawan Kumar Bansal, Former Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Minister
of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affair, in the Rajya Sabha on 22 December 2008, the Bill was
referred to the Standing Committee on Finance. The Bill raises the ceiling for foreign equity investment
from 26% to 49% and allows entry of foreign re-insurers in the Indian insurance sector. Additionally,
the Bill requires companies or cooperative societies in the life and general insurance sectors to
maintain equity capital of Rs 100 crores, and in the health insurance business, equity capital of Rs 50
crores. The Bill empowers the Securities Appellate Tribunal set up under the SEBI Act, 1992 rule on
appeals against decisions of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), while repealing
a provision in the IRDA Act, 1999 that requires Indian promoters of an insurance company to reduce
their stake to 26% over a period of ten years.
Recommendations by the Law Commission to merge key provisions of the IRDA Act with the Insurance
Bill have not been incorporated, while clarity is still lacking on the issue of whether members of Lloyd’s
of London, recognised as a foreign company in the Bill, will be allowed to operate in the country.
Another point of contention is an amendment introduced by the BJP after coming into power that
seeks to expand the definition of, “foreign investment,” to include Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs).
THE COAL REGULATORY AUTHORITY BILL, 2014
Expected to be introduced by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Coal (Independent Charge), the Bill
will establish a watchdog agency for the national coal sector, along with a mechanism for ensuring
supply to power and steel plants in the country. The proposed legislation empowers the coal authority

5. 5
to influence pricing of coal, which the previous government had felt would conflict with the Coal
Ministry’s powers when the Bill was considered in the Lok Sabha last year.
THE COAL MINES (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) RULES, 2014
The Bill is expected to constitute the implementation aspect of THE COAL MINES (SPECIAL
PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, 2014 passed by President Pranab Mukherjee on 21 October 2014 to
authorise the e-auction of 74 coal blocks in February 2015. The Bill will allow successful bidders to use
coal from allocated mines for any of their other plants after informing the government. The Bill also
outlines compensation to prior allottees of the allocated mines; the Centre is expected to determine
the floor, reserve price metrics prior to the auctions.
THE DRUGS AND COSMETICS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2013
Introduced by Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Minister of Health and Family Welfare, in the Rajya Sabha
on 29 August 2013, the Bill changes the name of the Act to, “Drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Devices
Act, 1940,” and changes the definition of drugs to include new drugs, while recognising medical
devices as distinct from the category of, “drugs”. Amendments address issues of safety, efficacy,
quality and conduct of clinical trials, while also specifying conditions and penalties for misbranding,
adulteration, and spurious use of the aforementioned products.
THE FACTORIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2014
Introduced by Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Labour and Employment, in the Lok Sabha on 7
August 2014 and considered by the Standing Committee on Labour, the NDA’s landmark labour reform
Bill seeks to modernise the Factories Act, 1948. Proposed amendments to the Act are focused on:
improving health and safety measures for workers employed in factories, allowing women
employment for night shifts in factories, revising overtime and annual leave criteria, and amending
the definition of factories. The Bill also increases authority of the central government over matters
pertaining to occupational health and safety, which reside with the state governments in the principal
act.
THE WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) AMENDMENT BILL, 2013
Introduced by Jayanthi Natarajan, Former Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of
Environment and Forests, in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2013, the Bill was referred to the Standing
Committee on Environment and Forests. The Bill aims to orient India’s protection and conservation
efforts to the requirements of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Bill outlines legislation for: manufacture, use, transport and sale of animal
traps; treatment of wild life and forest produce; international trade of endangered species of wild
flaura and fauna; protection of Scheduled Tribes in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands; and, change in
nomenclature of The Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau.

6. 6
THE PESTICIDES MANAGEMENT BILL, 2008
Introduced by Sharad Pawar, Former Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public
Distribution, in the Rajya Sabha on 21 October 2008, the Bill proposes replacing the Insecticides Act
of 1968. Defining criteria for pesticides and their effective use, the Bill also establishes licensing
procedures across the pesticides supply chain, a committee for registering pesticides, as well as a
Central Pesticides Board to advise the government on pesticide regulation, manufacture and disposal.
Regulation and licensing of pesticides will be based on the Food Safety and Standards Act, which was
withdrawn from discussion in the winter session in lieu of fresh amendments.
LAND ACQUISITION ACT (AMENDMENT), 2014
Passed in the last winter session of Parliament in February 2014, the Land Acquisition Act aimed to
provide fair compensation for farm land used for industrial purposes. The proposed amendment aims
to make the land acquisition process more transparent and investor-friendly. The Rural Development
Ministry is expected to introduce amendments to remove some of the most restrictive provisions of
the 2013 regulation, such as: requirements for the consent of local communities for grant of Public
Private Partnership and private projects; and, the requirements for social impact assessment for
project approval. However, provisions addressing compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement of
local communities will be retained as stated in the parent legislation.
THE CONSUMER PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2014
Originally introduced by K V Thomas, Member of Parliament, Kerala in the Lok Sabha on 16 December
2011, the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public
Distribution before lapsing with the change in government. Expected to be reintroduced in the coming
session, the Bill permits an electronic form for filing complaints, and defines fair and unfair trade
practices, including penalties for noncompliance with contracts and directives of various authorities
that consider and rule complaint cases, such as the District Forum, State Commission and National
Commission.
THE PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2013
Introduced by V Narayanasamy, Former Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, in the Rajya Sabha on 19
August 2013, the Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law
and Justice on 23 August 2013. The Bill modifies the definitions and penalties related to bribery of a
public servant under abetment, and extends protections offered by the Act to former officials.
Stakeholders have expressed concern that the Bill deletes provisions protecting bribe givers from
prosecution for statements made during trials, and fails to regulate public officials’ illegal activities
and abuse of their offices.

7. Contact the Public Affairs practice
Edelman India’s Public Affairs (PA) practice combines industry, regulatory affairs and communications knowledge to develop and execute PA campaigns based on solid research and insights that inform impactful strategies. We work with our clients to anticipate issues, and plan and respond to the emerging challenges at national, state and local levels. At the core of the offering is the ability to develop long-term relationships and maintain constant engagement, instead of an ad hoc approach. Our team of 29 personnel includes senior industry professionals, domain experts, researchers and writers from a wide range of backgrounds. We have access to an extended group of advisors from civil service, media and NGO circles who help us navigate the vast and complex stakeholder universe in India. Edelman India has offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, and a vast network of representatives in state capitals.
Contact us
Peter Bellini, Associate Director, Public Affairs
peter.bellini@edelman.com
Follow us
@EdelmanIndiaPA