Lok Sabha to Take Up MSME Amendment Bill on Day 15 of Monsoon Session
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha is scheduled to take up the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, along with the Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, for consideration and passing on Friday, August 7, according to the Revised List of Business issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
The bills were listed for the 15th day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi will move the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to further amend the MSME Development Act, 2006. The bill was earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha.
The second piece of legislation, the Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is also listed for consideration and passing. The agenda for the day was released on Thursday evening, outlining the government's legislative priorities for the remainder of the session.
On Thursday, August 6, the Lok Sabha passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The bill was approved by a voice vote without debate, amid protests by opposition members. The opposition has been demanding action related to police action against protestors on July 20. The bill amends the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, the Income-tax Act, 2025, and the Finance Act, 2026.
The passage of the Taxation bill without discussion highlights the continued friction between the government and the opposition in the ongoing Monsoon Session. Sources indicate that the opposition parties have been pressing for a discussion on the July 20 incident, which they have described as an attack on protestors. The government, however, has maintained that the police action was in accordance with the law.
The MSME Development (Amendment) Bill is expected to bring changes to the framework governing micro, small and medium enterprises in India. The original Act, passed in 2006, was designed to facilitate the promotion, development, and enhancement of competitiveness of MSMEs. The proposed amendments are aimed at updating the legal provisions to reflect current economic realities and to streamline compliance for small businesses.
The business community has been closely watching the developments, as any changes to the MSME framework could have significant implications for the sector, which is a major contributor to employment and industrial output in the country. However, the specific clauses of the amendment bill have not been made public in the revised list.
The Monsoon Session, which began in mid-July, has seen several legislative items being taken up amid disruptions. The government has listed a number of bills for consideration, and the opposition has expressed concerns over the lack of discussion on key issues. The decision to take up the MSME bill on Friday indicates that the government is keen to push through its legislative agenda.
Political observers note that the passing of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill without a debate is significant, as it involves amendments to tax laws and payment settlement systems. The changes to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act are expected to pave the way for modernisation of digital payments infrastructure. However, the lack of parliamentary scrutiny has drawn criticism from civil society groups.
As the session progresses, the government will need to balance its legislative priorities with the demands of the opposition for accountability and transparency. The MSME bill is a key piece of reform legislation, and its passage in the Lok Sabha will be a test of the government's ability to navigate parliamentary processes.
The Parliament will reconvene on Friday at 11 am. The proceedings are expected to be broadcast live, and the day's schedule may be revised based on the situation in the House.
