कानूनी ढांचे को सुव्यवस्थित करने के लिए पुराने कानून निरस्त
स्रोत:इंडियन एक्सप्रेस ↗
क्यों मायने रखता है
Understanding the process and significance of repealing obsolete laws is critical for UPSC aspirants, as it directly relates to governance reforms, legislative processes of the Parliament, and constitutional flexibility. It highlights the government's focus on simplifying the legal landscape to ensure effective administration.
सारांश
लोकसभा द्वारा हाल ही में 'निरसन और संशोधन विधेयक' (Repealing and Amending Bill) को दी गई मंजूरी का उद्देश्य पुराने और अप्रचलित कानूनों को हटाना है, जो सरकार के चल रहे वैधानिक स्वच्छता अभियान का एक हिस्सा है। पूर्व विधि सचिव पी के मल्होत्रा ने इस पहल की सराहना की और इस बात पर जोर दिया कि कानूनों और संविधान में संशोधन की प्रक्रिया एक निरंतर विकसित होने वाली आवश्यकता है, जो इसकी शुरुआत से ही चलन में रही है। निरर्थक कानूनों को हटाने का यह निरंतर अभ्यास यह सुनिश्चित करता है कि कानूनी प्रणाली प्रासंगिक बनी रहे, जिससे पुराने प्रावधानों के संभावित दुरुपयोग को रोका जा सके और अंततः नागरिकों के लिए शासन व्यवस्था तथा जीवन की सुगमता (ease of living) में सुधार हो सके।
मुख्य बिंदु
- The Lok Sabha recently passed a bill focused on repealing obsolete and redundant laws from the statute books to streamline the legal framework.
- Former Law Secretary P K Malhotra termed this a welcome step, noting that amendments and repeals have been a continuous feature since the Constitution's inception to keep pace with changing times.
- Periodic statutory cleanup is essential for good governance as it prevents misuse of archaic laws, promotes 'Ease of Doing Business', and improves 'Ease of Living' for citizens.
महत्वपूर्ण शब्द
Repealing and Amending Bill
A periodic legislative tool for "statutory housekeeping" that removes redundant or obsolete laws and corrects minor drafting errors without altering substantive legal rights or obligations.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Tests knowledge of legislative procedures and reforms aimed at streamlining the Indian legal system.
Obsolete Laws
Acts that have lost relevance due to socio-economic changes, being superseded by modern legislation, or having served their temporary purpose, such as colonial-era or wartime regulations.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Governance; concerns removing legal clutter to prevent misuse and improve administrative efficiency.
अप्रचलन
एक कानूनी सिद्धांत जिसमें लंबे समय तक उपयोग में न रहने के कारण कोई कानून प्राकृतिक रूप से समाप्त हो जाता है। कुछ अन्य न्यायक्षेत्रों के विपरीत, भारत इस सिद्धांत का पालन नहीं करता है, जिससे कानूनों को समाप्त करने के लिए औपचारिक विधायी निरसन (legislative repeal) की आवश्यकता होती है।
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Polity; explains the constitutional necessity for Repealing and Amending Bills under Article 245.
Minimum Government, Maximum Governance
An administrative philosophy prioritizing efficient and transparent governance by reducing the state's footprint, eliminating redundant regulations, and leveraging technology for citizen-centric service delivery.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Governance; core concept for administrative reforms and regulatory simplification.
Ease of Living
एक शासन संबंधी लक्ष्य जिसका उद्देश्य नियमों को सरल बनाने, अनुपालन बोझ को कम करने और उन पुराने कानूनों को हटाने के माध्यम से दैनिक जीवन में सुधार करना है जो अनावश्यक मुकदमेबाजी या उत्पीड़न का कारण बनते हैं।
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Governance; links legal reforms to citizen-centric administration and improved quality of life.
Statute Book
The official body of enacted laws currently in force. Periodic "cleaning" of this record ensures legal clarity and prevents the application of outdated provisions by courts.
UPSC context
GS Paper II: Polity; central to discussions on legislative inventory and maintaining an updated legal framework.
प्रारंभिक ट्रैप
Statutes in India automatically lapse and become invalid if they suffer from prolonged disuse and lack of enforcement.
India does not generally recognize the 'doctrine of desuetude'. A law does not die from mere disuse; it remains legally enforceable until formally repealed by the competent legislature.
संबंधित अवधारणाएँ
How are obsolete laws removed from the Indian legal framework?
- Doctrine of desuetude: भारतीय न्यायालय सामान्यतः इस सिद्धांत को खारिज करते हैं, जिसका अर्थ है कि कानून केवल लंबे समय तक लागू न होने के कारण स्वतः समाप्त नहीं होते हैं।
- Legislative action: Obsolete laws must be explicitly removed through Repealing and Amending Acts passed by Parliament or the relevant State Legislature.
- Savings clause: Repealing acts are housekeeping tools that typically include clauses to protect administrative or legal actions already finalized under the defunct law.
What are the Constitutional provisions for amending or repealing laws?
- Article 368: Parliament can amend the Constitution by addition, variation, or repeal of any provision, subject to the 'Basic Structure' doctrine.
- No prior assent: Unlike Money Bills, introducing a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament does not require the prior recommendation of the President.
- State List constraint: 1950 के पूर्व के वे कानून जो उन विषयों पर आधारित हैं जो अब राज्य सूची के अंतर्गत आते हैं, उन्हें केवल राज्य विधानमंडलों द्वारा ही निरस्त किया जा सकता है, संसद द्वारा नहीं।
अंतर-विषय पैटर्न
Decriminalization & Ease of Doing Business
The repeal of obsolete laws runs parallel to the Jan Vishwas Act's decriminalization of minor offenses, aiming to unclog courts, boost 'Ease of Doing Business', and minimize compliance burdens.
Article 372 and Federal Constraints
Article 372 keeps pre-1950 laws active, but Parliament cannot repeal those now in the State List (Seventh Schedule). This highlights federal limits on central statutory clean-up drives.
2026 की प्रीलिम्स (Prelims) में 'डॉक्ट्रिन ऑफ डेसुएट्यूड' (doctrine of desuetude) के साथ-साथ संविधान-पूर्व कानूनों को निरस्त करने की संसद की शक्ति का परीक्षण करने वाले एक कथन की अपेक्षा करें।
संबद्ध PYQ · 3
संबद्ध PYQ · 3
- 2024PrelimsGS1
As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of : 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 2025MainsGS2
Indian Constitution has conferred the amending power on the ordinary legislative institutions with a few procedural hurdles. In view of this statement, examine the procedural and substantive limitations on the amending power of the Parliament to change the Constitution.
- 2022PrelimsGS1
Consider the following statements: 1. A bill amending the Constitution requires a prior recommendation of the President of India. 2. When a Constitution Amendment Bill is presented to the President of India, it is obligatory for the President of India to give his/her assent. 3. A Constitution Amendment Bill must be passed by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha by a special majority and there is no provision for joint sitting. Which of the statements given above are correct?
