The Monsoon Session of Parliament is set to commence on Monday, with expectations of heated debates as the government and opposition prepare to clash over a range of critical issues. Scheduled to run from 25 November to 20 December, the session comes on the heels of assembly election results in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Amid anticipations of a stormy session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju appealed for smooth conduct in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during an all-party meeting on Sunday. “The government is open to discussing all issues, but our only request is to ensure smooth conduct of proceedings,” Rijiju said, emphasising the importance of peaceful discussions to ensure all members have an opportunity to participate.
The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, witnessed participation from 42 leaders and floor managers representing 30 parties. The government highlighted its legislative agenda, which includes at least 17 bills, while opposition leaders raised various issues for inclusion in the session’s discussions.
Parliament Monsoon Session: Waqf Amendment Bill Listed For Consideration
The government has listed 16 bills for consideration during the session, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the Coastal Shipping Bill, the Indian Ports Bill, and the Merchant Shipping Bill, aimed at fulfilling India’s maritime treaty obligations, news agency PTI reported. Other significant items include: Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill: To enhance the monetary jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from ₹3 lahks to ₹20 lahks and First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants (2024-25): Presentation, discussion, and voting.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is pending in the Lok Sabha and will be considered after the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) submits its report, likely by the end of the first week of the session. However, opposition members have sought an extension, accusing committee chair Jagdambika Pal of hastening proceedings.
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, passed by the Lok Sabha, is also pending in the Rajya Sabha.
According to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat, 19 sittings are scheduled for the session, during which the government aims to address economic and social welfare issues, including discussions on the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and other key development schemes.
Parliament Monsoon Session: Constitution Day Celebration
On 26 November, Parliament will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption with an event in the Central Hall of the Samvidhan Sadan, the old Parliament building. President Droupadi Murmu will attend the event, during which key documents related to the Constitution’s drafting will be unveiled.
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Parliament Monsoon Session: INDIA Bloc Leaders To Chalk Out Floor Strategy As Congress Seeks To Raise Adani Bribery Allegations, Manipur Violence
The INDIA bloc aims to formulate a coordinated strategy to address concerns over economic policies, social justice, and the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur.
The Congress has prioritised the Adani bribery allegations for discussion as the first issue when Parliament convenes. Additionally, the party intends to address issues such as the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, the alarming air pollution in northern India, and recent train accidents, PTI reported.
Leaders from other opposition parties, including the CPI, CPI(M), TMC, AAP, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP, are expected to support these demands. The INDIA bloc, representing the opposition, will meet under Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday to strategise a united response to the government’s legislative agenda.
The session begins amidst contrasting political moods, with the NDA celebrating a victory in Maharashtra while the INDIA bloc retained power in Jharkhand. These outcomes are expected to influence the tone of debates, with both camps likely to use the results to bolster their narratives.
Rijiju assured that suggestions from the all-party meeting would be shared with the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman. He also stressed the government’s commitment to inclusivity in finalising the session’s agenda through the business advisory committees of both Houses.
As Parliament prepares for what is expected to be a contentious session, all eyes are on the government and opposition to see how they navigate critical and contentious issues like the Waqf Amendment Bill.
While there is speculation that the government might introduce bills related to simultaneous elections during this session, these are not currently on the official agenda.
