Key Points
- SLMS portal tracks 86 subordinate legislations across all central ministries
- System monitors drafting, vetting, laying and notification stages of rules
- All ministries and Parliament secretariats given access credentials
The Centre has operationalised a digital portal to track the progress of subordinate legislation across all central ministries, with 86 such rules and regulations currently being monitored on the system, Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The Subordinate Legislation Management System, or SLMS, allows government departments and Parliament to monitor each stage of rule-making, from initial drafting to final notification in the official gazette. Subordinate legislation refers to rules, regulations and orders that ministers and government departments frame under powers granted by Acts passed by Parliament.
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The portal was developed following recommendations from the Committee on Subordinate Legislation in the Lok Sabha, which oversees whether ministries are framing rules within the timelines and limits set by parent Acts.
Why tracking subordinate legislation matters
While Parliament passes laws, the detailed rules governing their implementation are drafted by ministries. These rules often determine how a law affects citizens in practice. Delays in framing such rules can leave Acts unimplemented for years, while poorly drafted rules can exceed the authority granted by the parent legislation.
Parliamentary committees have repeatedly flagged delays and procedural lapses in the laying of subordinate legislation before both Houses. The SLMS portal aims to address this by creating a centralised tracking mechanism visible to all relevant authorities.
The system monitors four key stages: framing and drafting of rules by ministries, vetting by the Legislative Department, laying before Parliament as required by parent Acts, and final notification.
Login credentials for the portal have been shared with the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, Lok Sabha Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat, Legislative Department and all ministries and departments under the central government, Meghwal said in his written reply.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has conducted a training workshop for officials across these bodies to ensure effective use of the system.
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The portal is intended to ensure timely compliance with parliamentary requirements on subordinate legislation. Under existing rules, most subordinate legislation must be laid before both Houses within a specified period after notification, typically 30 days when Parliament is in session.
Future monitoring
As of the minister’s reply on 2 April, the portal carries information on 86 pieces of subordinate legislation at various stages of the rule-making process. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, which coordinates between the government and Parliament, developed the system.
Your Questions, Answered
What is subordinate legislation?
Subordinate legislation refers to rules, regulations and orders framed by ministers and government departments under powers granted by Acts passed by Parliament. These rules determine how laws are implemented in practice.
What does the SLMS portal track?
The portal monitors four stages of rule-making: drafting by ministries, vetting by the Legislative Department, laying before Parliament as required by law, and final notification in the official gazette.
Who has access to the SLMS portal?
Login credentials have been shared with the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha secretariats, Cabinet Secretariat, Legislative Department and all central ministries and departments.
Why was the SLMS portal developed?
The portal was created following recommendations from the Lok Sabha Committee on Subordinate Legislation to ensure ministries comply with timelines for framing and laying rules before Parliament.