Lok Sabha passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 amid protests: All about the Bill
The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 without debate amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs protesting the alleged police action against students
The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 without debate amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs protesting the alleged police action against students during a July 20 demonstration, according to PTI. The Bill was introduced earlier in the day by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. Opposition MPs had demanded the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the House over the alleged police action. The House was later adjourned till 11 am on Tuesday. What does the Tribunals Reforms Bill propose? The Bill seeks to establish a Tribunals Commission (NTC) to oversee the appointment, administration and functioning of various tribunals.
According to ThePrint, the commission will comprise a chairperson, two judicial members and two technical members. The chairperson will have to be a former Supreme Court judge or a former Chief Justice of a High Court, while technical members will need at least 25 years of experience in fields such as public administration, finance, law or technology. The NTC will conduct selection processes for tribunal vacancies, review the performance of members and oversee inquiries into complaints against them. Also Read | Tax amendment bill passed: What changes for UPI transactions Which tribunals will it cover? The Bill covers 16 tribunals and authorities, including the Central and State Administrative Tribunals, Securities Appellate Tribunal, Armed Forces Tribunal, Green Tribunal, Company Law Appellate Tribunal, Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and Income-tax Appellate Tribunal.
Meghwal said the legislation does not change the jurisdiction of tribunals under their respective parent Acts. Why has the government brought the Bill? The Bill proposes to repeal the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, following Supreme Court rulings that struck down key provisions of the legislation over concerns including separation of powers and judicial independence. According to The Print, the Supreme Court had also highlighted the need for an independent overarching body to handle tribunal appointments, infrastructure and disciplinary matters. The Bill proposes a centralised appointment system through Search-cum-Selection Committees and requires the government to process recommendations within three months.
What else does the Bill provide? The legislation proposes a Tribunals Data Grid containing case-related information to improve transparency and facilitate performance monitoring. It also seeks to standardise tenure, with chairpersons serving for five years or until 70 and members for five years or until 67, whichever is earlier, according to ThePrint. The proposed NTC and its secretariat are estimated to cost ₹27.14 crore.
The BriefWire