The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee gave assent to the National Highways Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2013. With this, the Bill became an Act on 10 September 2013. The National Highways Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, C.P. Joshi on 19 December 2011.
The Bill was then referred to the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on 13 January 2012. The National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 established the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the development, maintenance and management of national highways. The NHAI consists of a chairman, up to 5 full-time members and up to 4 part-time members.
The Bill facilitated expansion of the National Highways Authority of India. The National Highways Authority of India will now consist of a chairman, up to 6 full-time members and 6 part-time members. Out of the 6 part-time members, at least two should be the non-government professionals having knowledge or experience in financial management, transportation planning or any other relevant discipline.
The National Highways Authority of India (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was passed in the Rajya Sabha on 13 August 2013. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on 2 September 2013.
Lawmaking Procedure in India
The legislative proposals are brought before either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha in the form of a bill. The bill is actually a draft of the legislative proposal. After being passed by both the Houses of the Parliament, the Bill is sent to the President of India for assent. After receiving the assent from the President of India, a bill becomes an Act of the Parliament.
