Bill repeals over 60 laws, amends four to remove discriminatory probate rules

It aims to clean up the legal framework by removing unnecessary enactments and fixing specific provisions in current acts.

Who it concerns: The general public, businesses, and legal entities affected by the specific laws listed in the schedules, including those involved in civil litigation (Code of Civil Procedure), inheritance (Indian Succession Act), disaster management, and postal services.

What the bill does

• Repeal of 60+ enactments listed in the First Schedule, including the Indian Tramways Act, 1886, and various amendment acts from 1976 to 2023.
• Amendment to the General Clauses Act, 1897: Replaces 'registered post' with 'speed post with registration'.
• Amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908: Replaces 'registered post, acknowledgement due' with 'speed post with registration and proof of delivery' in multiple sections.
• Amendment to the Indian Succession Act, 1925: Omits Section 213 and makes consequential changes to Sections 3 and 370.
• Amendment to the Disaster Management Act, 2005: Substitutes the word 'prevention' with 'preparation' in Section 30(2)(vi).
• Savings clause ensuring that the repeal of laws does not affect rights, obligations, or proceedings already existing or completed.

Also in the document

• The Bill is described as a 'periodical measure' to repeal obsolete enactments and correct formal defects.
• The amendment to the Indian Succession Act is noted as removing a provision (Section 213) that was discriminatory regarding probate requirements for Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Parsis in specific High Court jurisdictions.
• The postal amendments are driven by the merger of registered post services with speed post services by the Department of Post.
• The Disaster Management Act amendment is described as rectifying an 'inadvertent error'.