September 14, 2020: Monsoon Session of Parliament, usually held in the third week of July, is all set to start on Monday after a considerable delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apparently, the pandemic has changed everything and the effect will be seen in Parliamentary sessions as well. Both the houses, Rajya Sabha ‘council of States’ and Lok Sabha ‘House of the people’ will resume without breaks and week offs till October 1st.
Additionally, the Question Hour will be restricted, giving ache to the opposition. Assembling for the very first time since the session was halted on March 23, just two days prior to the countrywide lockdown was imposed, both the Houses of Parliament will have pre-decided COVID-19 protocols in both houses and, of course, a new seating arrangement abiding by coronavirus safety guidelines including social distancing and more.
Zero Questions Hour
This 18-day Monsoon Session of Parliament, reduced due to the pandemic, will resume with no question hour. Also, the Zero Hour, during which the members of parliament raise Public Interest questions, will also be cut short, and the private member’s bill will not be there.
However, the opposition has protested against this and said, the government is trying to cut short parliament to a ‘Notice Board’. Favoring No Question Hour, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said the government will answer unstarred questions in writing.
Monsoon Session of Parliament: Highlights
- Farooq Abdullah Will Attend His First Session After section 370 Abrogation.
- Government Will Not Discuss India-China Border Clash and Stand 0ff, says Reports.
- GDP Slump Maybe in Focus.
- More Relaxations May Be Discussed in the Session.
- Bihar Polls Can Be Discussed Around.
Opposition Master plan for Monsoon Session
The Congress and other opposition parties are set with their blueprint to accuse four out of 11 legislations that the government promises to introduce in this Parliamentary session in place of an ordinance released earlier and assumed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to answer their concerns.
Indian economist and Congress party leader, Jairam Ramesh said that Congress was discussing with other like-minded parties and had a plan of action to oppose the three agriculture-based legislations and the improvements to the Banking Rules & Regulations in both houses.
While Congress like-minded parties have prepared to come up with a master plan to fire the government with questions on important topics such as the handling of COVID-19, the GDP, unemployment, and India-China border tensions in Ladakh.
BJP to Counter Opposition’s Attack
According to the ruling party (BJP) sources, the ruling party is also has a plan to counter opposition’s certain attack on the border tensions with china, the PM CARES Fund controversy, unemployment in India, Issues of migrant labourers, the state of the economy, and mainly the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members are also expecting a quick discussion on the flood situation in many Indian states.
However, BJP may benefit from the lack of unity in the opposition and the recent internal crisis in the Congress party (Rajasthan) could weaken the opposition’s attack on the ruling party, says BJP Leaders.
First Day For Business
While Indian economy is in miserable condition, the center may withdraw the banking regulation bill, 2020, for a fresh introduction. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitarama may come forward with a proposal in the Lok Sabha for the same. Introduced during the budget session in the lower house, this bill was introduced on March 3 and to amend banking regulation Act, 1949, this year.
Union health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan may introduce the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) bill, 2020 containing regulation and supervision of the assisted reproductive technology clinics and banks to prevent the misuse and enable the safe and ethical practice of ARTS.
Anmid the farmer’s protest in Punjab & Haryana, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar will release the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commerce (promotion and facilitation) bill 2020, looking forward to create an ecosystem – a trading platform where the farmers and traders will provide with the freedom of choice to sale and purchase from Farmers produce.
There are lots of questions that the opposition may ask to the ruling party, but the Parliament has decided to resume the session with no question hour. It may question the integrity and nobility of the Parliament.
