Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moves Direct Tax ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ Bill, 2020 in Lok Sabha

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Direct Tax ‘Vivad Se Vishwas’ Bill, 2020 for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha on Monday. In her remarks, the Minister said that the bill would cover the way to provide resolution of disputed tax and related matters as there are four lakh 83 thousand cases amounting to over nine lakh crore rupees related to direct tax are pending in different appellate forums including High Courts and Supreme Court.

She also said that the bill will provide an opportunity to litigants to settle their disputes. Initiating the debate on the bill, BJP member from Bihar Dr Sanjay Jaiswal said that the bill is in the interest of the common man.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan introduced the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in the Lok Sabha. The bill is to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The bill seeks to enhance the limit of termination of pregnancy from 20 weeks to 24 weeks.

The legislation also proposes for expanding access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian or social grounds. The proposed amendments are a step towards the safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefited from this.

The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was also introduced in the house by the Minister of Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi. The bill seeks to amend the Coal Mines (Special Provisions)Act, 2015.