Decisions taken by Union Cabinet
Cabinet approved Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019: In the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’ and ‘Sabka Vishwas’, the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been continuously working for the benefit of people from various walks of life. With this objective, the Union Cabinet has approved for introduction of the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 in the Parliament. This proposal would enhance the coverage of the safety, health and working conditions provisions manifold as compared to the present scenario. The decision will enhance the coverage of the safety, health and working conditions provisions manifold as compared to the present scenario.
The New Code has been drafted after amalgamation, simplification and rationalisation of the relevant provisions of the 13 Central Labour Acts:
The Factories Act, 1948;
The Mines Act, 1952; The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986;
The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996;
The Plantations Labour Act, 1951;
The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970;
The Inter-State Migrant workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979;
The Working Journalist and other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service and Misc. Provision) Act, 1955;
The Working Journalist (Fixation of rates of wages) Act, 1958;
The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961;
Sales Promotion Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1976;
The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966; and
The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981. After the enactment of the Code, all these Acts being subsumed in the Code will be repealed.
Benefits Safety, Health, welfare and improved Working Conditions are pre-requisite for well-being of the worker and also for economic growth of the country as healthy workforce of the country would be more productive and occurrence of less accidents and unforeseen incidents would be economically beneficial to the employers also. With the ultimate aim of extending the safety and healthy working conditions to all workforce of the country, the Code enhances the ambit of provisions of safety, health, welfare and working conditions from existing about 9 major sectors to all establishments having 10 or more employees.
Cabinet approved the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019: The Union Cabinet has approved the banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019. It will replace the banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Ordinance, 2019.
The banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019 will replace the Ordinance promulgated on 21st February, 2019, which will otherwise cease to operate after six weeks after reassembly of Parliament.
Impact
The Bill will help tackle the menace of illicit deposit taking activities in the country, which at present are exploiting regulatory gaps and lack of strict administrative measures to dupe poor and gullible people of their hard-earned savings.
Cabinet approved Inter-State River Water disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019: The Union Cabinet has approved the Inter-State River Water disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019for adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers and river valley thereof.
It will further streamline the adjudication of inter-State river water disputes. The Bill seeks to amend the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 with a view to streamline the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes and make the present institutional architecture robust.
Impact:
Constitution of a single tribunal with different benches along with fixation of strict timelines for adjudication will result expeditious resolution of disputes relating to inter-state rivers.The amendments in the Bill will speed up the adjudication of water disputes referred to it.
When any request under the Act is received from any State Government in respect of any water dispute on the inter-State rivers and the Central government is of the opinion that the water dispute cannot be settled by negotiations, the Central Government constitutes a Water Disputes Tribunal for the adjudication of the water dispute.
Cabinet approved Grant of Organized Group ‘A’ Status to Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF) Service: The Union Cabinet has approved Grant of Organised Group ‘A’ status to Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF) and consequential benefits of Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU) with effect from 01-01-2006 and Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) @ 30% of Senior Duty Post (SDP) with effect from 06.06.2000, as per Department of Personnel and Training guidelines dated 24.04.2009 and 06.06.2000 respectively and subsequent instructions thereon.
Major Impact
Grant of status of Organized Group ‘A’ service to RPF will end stagnation, improve career progression of the officers and keep up their motivational level. Eligible officers of RPF will get benefitted.
