Govt asked to avoid controversial Bills in winter session

The Government has been asked not to bring any “controversial Bills” in the winter session of Parliament in order to ensure smooth conduct of the proceedings.

At an all-party meeting convened by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar here on Tuesday, there were voices against bringing the Reservation in Promotions Bill, Women’s Reservation Bill and the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bills.

The Government is keen on bringing the Telangana Bill, Insurance Bill, the Direct Taxes Code and the Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters after the meeting that his government was committed to the formation of Telangana, and would try to make full use of the due process of law to ensure that Telangana does come about. However, he did not commit that the Bill would be brought in the coming session, slated to begin on December 5.

The principal Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has been urging the Centre to expedite the process of Andhra Pradesh’s bifurcation.

“Whatever urgent financial business is there will have to be transacted on a priority basis,” the Prime Minister said.

There was also a demand to extend the session for a few days. According to the schedule, the session, which will begin on Thursday, will end on December 20.

The Government has listed about 50 Bills for consideration.

The Opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, said there was unanimity among parties for extending the winter session after a week’s break from December 20.

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kamal Nath, said the Government would take a decision after consulting the chairpersons and members from north-eastern and southern States.

Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party, which offers outside support to the Government,warned that it would disrupt House proceedings if controversial Bills are brought up. “We will oppose the passage of Bills such as the one on women’s reservation, Lokpal and reservation in promotions,” SP’s chief whip Shailendra Kumar told Business Line . The party is also opposed to the proposal to hold session on Saturdays.

The Government has listed Bills such as the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, and the Educational Tribunals Bill. Three Ordinances are also listed for passage.

The Nuclear Safety Regulatory Authority Bill, the Right of Citizens for Time Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of Grievances Bill, the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organisations Bill, the National Identification Authority of India Bill, and the Coal Regulatory Authority Bill are also likely to come up in the session.

jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in