Narendra Modi government unveils 'tentative list' of agenda for Parliament special session

 Opposition members point out that the use of word 'tentative' leaves room for introduction of more bills

Narendra Modi.File photo

J.P. Yadav, TT, New Delhi, 14.09.23 : The Narendra Modi government ended the mystery surrounding the upcoming five-day session of Parliament, revealing late on Wednesday the "tentative list" of business it wants to take up.

A bulletin put out by the Lok Sabha listed discussions on "Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha — Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings" and four bills that the government seeks to pass during the session beginning on Monday, none of them "big ticket" as speculated.

The bills were The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, The Post Office Bill and The Chief Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill. All of them were either introduced or passed by one House during the last monsoon session.

"Members are informed that on 18th September, 2023, besides other formal business like laying of papers etc., a discussion will be held on the subject 'Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha — Achievements, Experiences, Memories and Learnings'," the bulletin said. Below this, the government's "tentative list" of business in the form of the four bills was mentioned.

The use of the word "tentative" leaves room for the introduction of more bills, several Opposition members pointed out, fearing that there was something else behind the curtains that could be unleashed at the last moment.

"The agenda as published at the moment is much ado about nothing — all this could have waited till the winter session in November," Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. "I am sure the legislative grenades are being kept up their sleeves to be unleashed at the last moment as usual. Parde ke peeche kuch aur hai!" He claimed the government had "condescended" after pressure from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi who had written to Modi listing nine topics that ought to be discussed in the special session.

Trinamul MP Derek O'Brien tweeted: "Seven hours after this dose (referring to a previous post criticising the secrecy over the agenda) PM Narendra Modi government puts out an agenda for #ParliamentSpecialSession. However, the agenda has a caveat 'not to be taken as exhaustive'. Dirty tricks?"

Earlier in the day, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said an all-party meeting had been convened on Sunday, a day before the start of the special session.

“Ahead of the Parliament session from the 18th of this month, an all-party floor leaders’ meeting has been convened on the 17th at 4.30pm. The invitation for the same has been sent to concerned leaders through email. Letter to follow,” Joshi posted on X.

Opposition INDIA bloc leaders slammed the government for not disclosing the plan. “Today is September 13. The five-day special session of Parliament will commence five days from now and nobody — barring One Man (ok, perhaps the Other One too) — has any sense of the agenda,” Ramesh posted on X.