New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Centre in connection with a petition, alleging the amendments to Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) have been made through money bills, which is against constitutional provisions.
According to the petitioner, the amendments to the PMLA act prior to 2015 were introduced as ordinary bills.
However, since the change of government in 2014, amendments to the Act have been introduced as money bills in contravention of constitutional provisions.
The court was hearing the petition filed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh who claimed that amendments to PMLA since 2015 have been made through the money bills.
If a bill is introduced as a money bill in Lok Sabha, it cannot be rejected or amended by the Rajya Sabha. Hence it gives the ruling government unprecedented power to bypass the opposition in the parliament.
Ramesh was also a member of parliament when the amendments were made.
He stated that the PMLA and its provision have nothing to do with the consolidated fund of India.
Jairam Ramesh moved the Supreme Court after Delhi High Court refused to entertain his plea last year.
The amendment was brought via sections 145 to 151 of the Finance Act 2015, Section 232 of the Finance Act 2016, and Section 288 of the Finance Act 2018.
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