As anticipation mounts for the upcoming Special Session of Parliament, scheduled to take place from September 18 to 22, the agenda has finally been unveiled. During the inaugural day of this session, both Houses will delve into a discussion centered on Parliament's illustrious 75-year journey, commencing with the historic convening of the Constituent Assembly on December 9, 1946.
In a release by both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, it was announced that on September 18, the session's first day, the topic of discussion will be "Parliamentary Journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha – Achievements, Experiences, Memories, and Learnings."
One intriguing aspect of the agenda is the possibility that the government could utilize this special session as the moment to transition to the newly inaugurated Parliament building. Despite its grand inauguration on May 28, the new facility was not employed for the Monsoon Session of Parliament, and no official explanation was provided for this decision.
New Legislation on the Horizon
The Rajya Sabha bulletin outlines the legislative agenda for this special session, which includes three prominent Bills:
1. The Post Office Bill, 2023: This Bill aims to "consolidate and amend the law relating to Post Office in India."
2. The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill: This Bill is designed to "regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners."
3. The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023: This legislation seeks to "repeal certain enactments and to amend an enactment."
In addition to these three Bills, the Lok Sabha will also take up two more:
1. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023
2. The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023
Opposition's Critical Response
The revelation of the first day's agenda has emerged amidst persistent criticism from the Opposition, which has accused the government of withholding information regarding the expected proceedings for the special session. Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party, expressed her concerns in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condemning the government's lack of transparency.
In response to the Parliamentary bulletins, Jairam Ramesh, the party's communications chief, took to social media, stating, "Finally, after pressure from Ms. Sonia Gandhi's letter to the Prime Minister, the Modi government has condescended to announce the agenda for the special 5-day session of Parliament beginning September 18th. The Agenda as published at the moment, is much ado about nothing-- all this could have waited till the Winter session in November."
Despite the agenda's release, the Opposition remains skeptical about the government's intentions, suspecting that it might still be holding some cards close to its chest. Ramesh added, "I am sure the legislative grenades are being kept up their sleeves to be unleashed at the last moment as usual." He also asserted that the I.N.D.I.A parties would "steadfastly oppose the insidious CEC Bill."
As the Special Session of Parliament approaches, the nation will be keenly watching to see how the discussions on Parliament's 75-year journey unfold and how the proposed Bills will shape India's legislative landscape in the coming days.
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