The President has given his assent to four Bills including the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Bill which seeks to provide freedom of choice to subscribers to view a channel from amongst those offered by the cable service providers.
The other three Bills are: The Companies (Amendment) Bill, the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Bill and the Indian Evidence (Amendment) Bill.
These Bills were passed during the winter session of Parliament which concluded last month.
The Companies (Amendment) Act 2003 seeks to amend the Companies Act 1956 providing for a new modern, efficient and time-bound Insolvency Law for both rehabilitation and winding up of sick companies within a time frame of maximum of two years as against existing system taking about 18 to 26 years.
The Transfer of Property (Amendment) Act 2003, seeking to amend the Transfer of Property Act 1882, provides that the period of notice regarding transfer of property shall commence from the date of its receipt and the amendment will apply to the suits or proceedings and notices issued before the commencement of this amendment.
The Indian Evidence (Amendment) Act 2003 provides for deletion of clause 4 of Section 155 of the Indian Evidence Act 1872 by specifically providing that in a prosecution for rape or attempt to commit rape, it would not be possible to put questions in the cross examination of the prosecution as to her general immoral character.
This women-friendly amendment is intended to protect the individual honour and dignity of woman from being tarnished in the courts of law during trial of rape or attempted rape cases.