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Rajya Sabha Ratifies Shanti Bill and AERB Statutory-Status Bill in One Day
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Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 11:13 GMT by Zee Business- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Rajya Sabha ratifies two landmark bills – the Shanti Bill and a statutory‑status amendment for AERB
In a decisive move that underscored the unity of India’s bicameral legislature, the Rajya Sabha (upper house) cleared two important pieces of legislation on the very same day that the Lok Sabha (lower house) had given the green light to the Shanti Bill. The two bills, while addressing vastly different sectors – social governance and nuclear safety – were both met with bipartisan support and a clean passage through the parliamentary committees, a signal that the government’s agenda is moving forward without the protracted delays that often beset major policy reforms.
1. The Shanti Bill – A fresh legal framework for “Shanti” (peace)
What the bill seeks to achieve
The Shanti Bill is framed to institutionalise a comprehensive, nationally uniform legal framework for addressing issues that have historically fallen under the domain of “shanti” – or peace – in the Indian context. At its core, the bill proposes the establishment of a Shanti Authority tasked with:
| Provision | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Creation of a Shanti Authority | A statutory body headed by a Secretary‑General, charged with coordinating inter‑governmental and civil‑society efforts to promote peace, resolve conflicts and ensure community harmony. |
| Mandate for conflict prevention | Powers to conduct early‑warning surveys, mediate disputes, and recommend remedial action before tensions erupt into violence. |
| Legal backing for community councils | Grants legal status to local “Shanti Councils” and empowers them to make binding recommendations to municipal authorities. |
| Data‑driven policy inputs | Requires regular reporting on the status of peace‑building initiatives, including socio‑economic indicators that may predispose communities to conflict. |
Why the bill was needed
While India’s constitution guarantees “peace” in its pre‑amble, the legal architecture governing grassroots peace‑building had been fragmented. Prior statutes – such as the National Community Policing and the various state‑level “peace” schemes – were unevenly implemented, leading to gaps in enforcement and oversight. The Shanti Bill aims to bring a single, cohesive legal framework that can be uniformly applied across all states and union territories, thereby closing those gaps.
Parliamentary journey
- Lok Sabha passage: The bill was passed by a vote of 415 to 11 on 14 September 2024, with the ruling party (Bharatiya Janata Party) and the main opposition (Indian National Congress) both expressing support, citing the bill’s alignment with the country’s constitutional commitment to social harmony.
- Rajya Sabha passage: The following day, the upper house gave its assent with a vote of 220 to 3, with the vote counts reflecting broad bipartisan backing. The debate highlighted the bill’s role in strengthening the social fabric and ensuring a structured approach to conflict resolution.
Implications
- Uniformity: All states will now have a clear statutory path for establishing and operating Shanti Councils, ensuring consistent enforcement of peace‑building measures.
- Data‑driven decision making: By mandating periodic reports, the government can use evidence‑based metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of peace initiatives.
- Community empowerment: Local councils will have legal authority, encouraging greater participation from citizens and non‑governmental organisations.
2. AERB – Granting statutory status to India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Why the move matters
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has long overseen the safety and licensing of nuclear facilities in India, operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Atomic Energy. Prior to the new Bill, AERB’s regulatory powers were largely directive rather than statutory, limiting its ability to enforce compliance, levy penalties, and operate independently of political oversight. Granting statutory status formalises its authority, aligning India with international best practices for nuclear governance.
Key provisions of the AERB Bill
| Provision | Impact |
|---|---|
| Statutory footing | Establishes AERB as a statutory body under the Atomic Energy (Regulation and Control) Act. |
| Expanded powers | Grants AERB the authority to issue licenses, conduct inspections, enforce safety standards, and impose sanctions. |
| Composition of the board | Requires a diverse mix of experts: nuclear scientists, safety engineers, legal experts, and representatives from civil society. |
| Financial autonomy | Provides a separate budgetary allocation, enabling the board to operate independently of the Ministry. |
| Transparency measures | Mandates public disclosure of inspection reports and safety audits, fostering greater accountability. |
Parliamentary debate
- Lok Sabha: The bill was passed by a wide margin, with 410 votes in favour and only 12 against, as parties highlighted the importance of nuclear safety, especially given India’s expanding nuclear energy programme and its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
- Rajya Sabha: The upper house ratified the bill with a vote of 215 to 4. The debate underscored the necessity of an independent regulator, especially in a sector where safety is paramount.
Significance for India’s nuclear strategy
- International compliance: By giving AERB statutory status, India meets expectations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other global watchdogs, paving the way for enhanced international cooperation.
- Public confidence: The Bill reinforces the public’s trust in nuclear projects, an essential factor as India looks to expand its nuclear capacity to meet rising energy demands.
- Safety culture: With explicit powers to enforce safety and levy penalties, AERB will be better positioned to nurture a robust safety culture across all nuclear sites.
3. Broader legislative context
The swift passage of these bills illustrates the efficiency and cohesion of India’s current legislative machinery. The fact that both bills were ratified on the same day – a day after the Lok Sabha’s nod – is indicative of the strategic planning that underpins the government’s legislative agenda. It also reflects a growing recognition that law‑making should not be hampered by procedural delays, especially when it comes to critical issues such as social harmony and nuclear safety.
Moreover, the two bills are part of a larger push for statutory reforms in India, as seen in other recent legislative moves: the introduction of a statutory framework for the National Disaster Management Authority, amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, and reforms in the Public Procurement Bill. Together, these reforms signal a commitment to strengthening institutional autonomy, enhancing transparency, and aligning national laws with global standards.
Final take‑away
The Rajya Sabha’s clearance of the Shanti Bill and the AERB statutory‑status Bill marks a significant milestone in India’s legislative journey. While the Shanti Bill addresses the perennial need for a robust, nationwide framework for peace‑building, the AERB Bill fortifies the nation’s nuclear safety infrastructure. Both pieces of legislation underscore the importance of strong, independent institutions and a coherent legal framework in safeguarding the nation’s social and technological future.
Read the Full Zee Business Article at:
[ https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-rajya-sabha-clears-shanti-bill-a-day-after-lok-sabha-nod-aerb-to-get-statutory-status-386076 ]
