New Delhi:
The special five-day session of Parliament starting next week will discuss parliament’s 75-year history, the government announced this evening, ending days of speculation. The government will also pass four bills, including the bill on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, which has caused much controversy.
A bulletin from the Lok Sabha Secretariat said a discussion on “Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – achievements, experiences, memories and lessons” will be held on September 18.
Legislative activities include the Chief Electoral Commissioner and Other Electoral Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, the Post Office Bill, the Lawyers (Amendment) Bill and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill.
The government’s revelation comes after days of speculation that the country’s name could be changed from India to Bharat – fueled by repeated use of ‘Bharat’ in multiple official communications during the G20.
Others claimed that the government could introduce bills to introduce ‘One Nation, One Election’, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and women’s reservation.
The government refused to announce the agenda of the special session, insisting that it was not required to do so under best parliamentary practice.
After successive meetings of the Congress and the Opposition, Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, outlining nine possible topics of discussion, including the ethnic violence in Manipur and the wrestlers’ protest.
It sparked a long battle on social media with BJP leaders including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
India has completed 75 years of independence, which the government celebrated with the year-long Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
A special session of parliament was also held when India completed fifty years of independence. A midnight session was convened on August 15, 1997.
In a post on
The “agenda as currently published is much ado about nothing – all this could have waited until the winter session in November,” he added.
“Finally, after pressure from Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s letter to the Prime Minister, the Modi government has deigned to announce the agenda for the special five-day session of Parliament starting from September 18. The agenda as currently published is much ado about nothing – all of this could have waited until the winter session in November. I am sure the legislative grenades are being rolled up their sleeves to be unleashed at the last minute as usual. Parde ke peeche kuch aur hi! In any case, INDIA parties will steadfastly oppose the treacherous CEC Bill,” his message read.
“Seven hours after this dose, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government releases an agenda for #ParliamentSpecialSession. However, the agenda contains a caveat* ‘that it should not be construed as exhaustive’. Dirty tricks?” Trinamool’s Derek O’Brien posted.
