Following an effort by opposition party members to express their dissatisfaction and walk out the Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Bankers’ Books Evidence Bill, 2026 without any debate by voice vote.
Following with numerous upper house adjournments, the Bill was moved for consideration by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which had already made it through the Lok Sabha. Throughout, there was opposition by members raising slogans, which Vice-Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh requested them to keep the comment to the bill.
The aim of the legislation is to bring the legal system in line with the current way public banks conduct business by replacing the outdated Bankers’ Books Evidence Act of 1891, which was enacted about 135 years ago.
When banking records were mostly on paper, the original law had been passed, said Sitharaman, explaining the need for the new law. It eliminated the need for bank officers to have to furnish documents in court and permitted the production of a certified copy of bank records as evidence.
Financial records are no longer reliant on paper but are created, stored and kept electronically, in a financial environment that has become digital. It is hence contended that the law should be amended in accordance with the changes.
Sitharaman also highlighted that the proposed law ensures protection of privacy and data security.
Various members present in the proceedings expressed approval of the technological changes and emphasized the need to ensure the financial information of the customer.
The Assembly had adjourned earlier as the opposition leaders protested against the meeting. Finally the Bill was passed by a voice vote while members of the opposition walked out.