New Legislative Initiatives in Rajya Sabha: Key Private Members’ Bills Explained

A Wave of Legislative Proposals

Nearly fifty private members’ bills were introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, encompassing a wide range of topics aimed at advancing employee rights and ensuring the responsible use of emerging technologies. Prominent areas of focus include the protection of employee rights in the face of artificial intelligence (AI) implementation and the regulation of deepfake content.

Bipartisan Participation

Members from various political factions—including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)—unveiled a diverse array of proposals. Notably, some bills aim to extend the number of annual Parliament sittings from 55 to between 100 to 120 days.

Artificial Intelligence and Employee Rights

TMC member Mausam B. Noor took the initiative by introducing the Artificial Intelligence (Protection of Rights of Employees) Bill, 2023. This proposed legislation seeks to safeguard employee rights concerning the implementation of AI technologies in workplaces, ensuring transparency in their application.

Addressing Deepfakes

Noor also introduced the Deepfake Prevention and Criminalisation Bill, 2023. This bill aims to outlaw the creation and distribution of deepfake content without consent or proper digital watermarking, addressing growing concerns over misuse of this technology.

Enhancing Parliamentary Productivity

In a bid to improve legislative productivity, TMC’s Derek O’Brien introduced the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This legislation seeks to amend Article 85 to establish a minimum of 100 days of parliamentary sittings each year and make the calendar of parliament fixed.

The Case for More Parliamentary Days

O’Brien highlighted the current situation, stating, “Currently, we sit in Parliament for only 55 days. To uphold the integrity of representative democracy, a minimum of 100 sitting days is essential, along with a fixed calendar.” This effort underscores the need for robust parliamentary functioning.

Focus on Productivity Enhancement

Manoj Kumar Jha of RJD introduced the Parliament (Productivity Enhancement) Bill, 2024, which proposes mandatory sittings for both houses of Parliament for a minimum of 120 days a year. The bill also suggests extending daily sitting hours, introducing short sessions, and developing mechanisms to discuss opposition business separately.

Encouraging Entrepreneurial Ventures

In a different vein, Congress member Vivek K. Tankha introduced the Entrepreneurship Leave Bill, 2024. This bill aims to enable Central government employees and employees of public sector undertakings to take up to two years of unpaid leave to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

Protecting Tribal Heritage

From the BJP, Sumitra Balmik proposed the National Tribal Heritage Council Bill, 2024, focusing on establishing a council dedicated to the protection, preservation, and promotion of India’s diverse tribal cultural heritage.

Ensuring Quality in Public Works

Another BJP member, Ajeet Madhavarao Gopchade, introduced the Public Works (Quality Assurance and Transparency) Bill, 2024. This bill seeks to ensure transparency, accountability, and quality in public works executed by the Central government through monitoring authorities and fair tendering practices.

Advocating for Public Health Rights

CPI(M) member V. Sivadasan introduced the Right to Free Public Health Care Bill, 2024, advocating for the right to free public healthcare for all Indian citizens, reinforcing health as a fundamental right.

Tackling Online Hate Speech

Finally, AAP member Vikramjit Singh Sahney proposed the Online Hate Speech (Prevention) Bill, 2024, targeting the prevention and control of hate speech on digital platforms to promote responsible online behavior and define penalties for offenders.

Conclusion

The introduction of these private members’ bills in the Rajya Sabha marks a significant step towards addressing critical social issues and enhancing legislative efficiency. The proposals reflect a growing recognition of the importance of adapting to technological advances, protecting rights, and ensuring a greater degree of accountability in governance.