Sitharaman Introduces Banking and Tax Bills in Lok Sabha

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on August 4 and 5. The legislation aims to modernize digital banking evidence laws and amend the Income-tax Act 2025 and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007. Sitharaman also presented the Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2026, to secure approval for excess expenditure from the 2022-23 financial year.

Legislative progress continued on August 4 with the passage of a bill tightening regulations for delayed birth and death registrations, now requiring judicial magistrate approval for reports made more than two years after the event. However, proceedings on August 5 faced disruptions from Opposition members. Protesters cited police action against students during a Cockroach Janta Party-led march and alleged a Ram Temple donations scam, demanding a formal statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Parallel to these financial bills, Congress MP Manish Tewari submitted an adjournment motion notice to the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha. Tewari requested the suspension of listed business to debate the creation of a new anti-defection law designed to prevent opportunistic mass political defections while allowing for critical dissent within the legislatures.