Monsoon session of Parliament to run from July 18 to Aug 10

NEWDELHI: GOVT AIMS TO LEGISLATE BILLS TO CRIMINALISE INSTANT TRIPLE TALAQ, FORM NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR OBCS

The NDA government aims to legislate the bills to criminalise instant triple talaq and to form a National Commission for Other Backward Castes in the upcoming monsoon session of Parliament that will be held from July 18 to August 10.

The two controversial bills, high on the government’s agenda, set the stage for a possible confrontation between the government and the opposition in the monsoon session. With less than a year to go before general elections, the BJP is looking at the session as an opportunity to pass key bills likely to have a major social impact, which may translate into political gains for the ruling dispensation.

“We certainly hope that the House functions. But the responsibility of running the House lies on the government. They can no longer continue with their “take it or leave it” attitude,” said Jairam Ramesh, a member of the Congress’s panel to review bills.

The government, aware that it will face a hostile Opposition, would like to put the onus of any disruption on its rivals. Government managers have pointed out that it is ready to discuss any issues, but that the House must function. The last session of Parliament, the 2018 Budget session, could work for only 21% of the allotted time in the Lok Sabha and 31% in the Rajya Sabha. The second half of the Budget session was a near washout.