Parliament passes key bills: Appropriation, Births and Deaths Amendment

Day 12 brings twin legislative wins for the government

The twelfth day of the Monsoon Session saw both Houses of Parliament clear significant legislation. In the Lok Sabha, the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026 was passed, granting the government the legal authority to withdraw funds from the Consolidated Fund of India for its expenditure. The bill, which is part of the annual financial cycle, was taken up and passed amid a truncated debate.

In the Rajya Sabha, the focus shifted to the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was passed after a detailed discussion. The bill seeks to overhaul the existing framework for registering births and deaths, with a particular emphasis on making delayed registrations more stringent.

Births and Deaths Amendment: what changes

The amended law introduces a clear two-tier system for delayed registration. If a birth or death is registered within 21 days to 30 days of occurrence, the registrar can handle it with late fees. However, if the delay extends beyond two years, the applicant will have to approach a court for permission, a process that is expected to act as a deterrent against negligence.

This marks a significant departure from the earlier practice where delays were often regularised with nominal penalties. Officials in the know said the change aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of vital statistics, which are crucial for planning and policy-making. The bill also proposes to create a national database of births and deaths, linking it with other government records.

Opposition raises concerns, government defends

During the debate in the Rajya Sabha, opposition members raised concerns about the potential hardship for citizens, especially in rural areas where access to courts may be difficult. They argued that the two-year limit for court referral is too restrictive and could lead to increased litigation.

Responding to the criticism, the government maintained that the provisions are necessary to streamline the system and prevent misuse. The bill, which was introduced earlier in the session, was referred to a standing committee before being taken up for passage. The final version incorporates some suggestions, but the core provision on delayed registration remains unchanged.

What the new law means for citizens

For the common person, the immediate takeaway is that registering a birth or death after two years will no longer be a routine administrative matter. It will require a court order, adding both time and cost to the process. This is a departure from the earlier norms where the registrar could condone delays up to a certain period.

The bill also strengthens the role of registrars, making it mandatory for them to verify documents more thoroughly. The government has stated that this will help in curbing fraudulent registrations, which have been a concern in some states. The new law is expected to come into force after the President gives assent, with rules to be framed subsequently.

Appropriation Bill clears Lok Sabha

The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026, was passed in the Lok Sabha without a detailed vote, reflecting the government's majority. The bill is part of the second batch of supplementary demands for grants for the current financial year. Its passage allows the government to spend on various schemes and programmes that were not covered in the initial budget.

The Opposition's attempt to force a division was unsuccessful, and the bill was passed with a voice vote. The Rajya Sabha is not required to pass the Appropriation Bill, as it is a money bill under the Constitution. The government is likely to move the next batch of legislative business in the coming days as the session progresses.

Both bills now head for the final constitutional step: the President's assent. For the Births and Deaths Amendment, the government will need to notify the rules, which will spell out the procedural details. For citizens, the practical impact will be felt once these rules are in place, and the new timelines for registration come into effect. The coming months will show how the implementation unfolds, especially in states with limited judicial infrastructure.