By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JAN 31, 2015: THE Expert Panel comprising of R Ramanujam and V K Bhasin, set up by the PMO to review the obsolete laws has finally called for doing away with 777 Acts which do not fit into the prevailing socio-economic and political environment in the country.

The Committee has recommended scrapping of some of the Acts dating back to 1842 and even as latest as 2013. Some of them are the Excise (Malt Liquors) Act, the Public Servants Inquiries Act, the Foreign Recruiting Act, the Revenue Bombay Act, the Caste Disabilities Removal Act, the Land Acquisitions (Mines) Act, the Government Management of Private Estates Act & the Elephants Preservation Act.

The Law Commission in its Report had observed that since the country has a comprehensive Wildlife Protect Act there was no need for an independent Elephants Presevation Act of 1879. On taxation front, the Excise Malt Liquors Act relating to the Sea Customs Act, 1878 had become redundant.

Some of the Acts of 20th Century which have become obsolete are the Indian Trade Unions Amendment Act, 1947; the War Injuries Compensation Insurance Act and the Children Pledging of Labour Act, 1933.

Since the sale and distribution of drugs are now controlled by Essential Commodities Act, the PMO Panel has agreed to do away with Drugs Control Act. Similarly, the Panel felt that there was no need for the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commosities Amendment Act, 1981.

Since the Union Govt is no longer gathering Gift Tax and the same being put in a state of suspension, it can be guillotined. And if the Government feels the need to re-impose it the same can be brought back to the statute book.