Prior to the Parliament session, the government will meet with leaders of all parties on Sunday to brief them and hear their views. There is speculation about whether the government will introduce any surprise items during the five-day sitting. The session, starting on Monday, has unusual timing, leaving everyone wondering. The main standout feature on the agenda is a special discussion on Parliament’s 75-year journey, starting from the Constituent Assembly.
The government has also listed a bill on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners for consideration and passage during the session. The bill was introduced during the last Monsoon session.
The government has the prerogative to introduce new legislation or other items in Parliament that may not have been part of the listed agenda. While there is no official word on any probable new legislation, there has been talk about a bill to ensure quota for women in elected legislatures like Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The anticipation around the session is heightened by the strong likelihood of Parliament being shifted to the new building, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on May 28. Various departments of parliamentary staff are set to don new uniforms as a signal from the government that the shift to the new building is likely to mark a fresh start in more ways than one.
The successful G20 summit under India’s presidency has added to Modi’s appeal and is expected to be a major talking point during the session.
The new dress code with floral motif for a section of staff has already sparked a political row, with the Congress dubbing it as a “cheap” tactic to promote the ruling party’s poll symbol – the lotus flower.
While announcing the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi had described it as a “special session.” However, the government later clarified that it was a regular session, the 13th session of the present Lok Sabha and the 261st session of Rajya Sabha.
Usually, Budget, Monsoon, and Winter sessions of Parliament are held every year. The Monsoon session was held in July-August, and the Winter session is due in November-December. The Budget session commences at the end of January every year, and the gap between the two sessions cannot be more than six months.
The government has listed a special discussion on Parliament’s 75-year journey for the first day of the session. Other listed business for Lok Sabha includes “The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023” and “The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023,” which were already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3, 2023.
Additionally, “The Post Office Bill, 2023” has been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The list of business is tentative, and more items can be added.
On August 31, Joshi announced the “special session” of Parliament for five days from September 18 but did not specify the agenda. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it “is much ado about nothing” and all this could have waited till the Winter session in November, but added that the government could be having “legislative grenades” up its sleeve.
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