In Unusual News, Parliament Session likely to be Extended

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We have often heard Parliament sessions going futile over the last few years. The current Parliament session has also created its fair share of controversy. With religious chants and slogans in a secular parliament, there’s been ample drama. But this Lok Sabha has been more productive than any other in the last 20 years, working for longer than the scheduled time.

Normally if you tune into the live broadcasts from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, it resembles a classroom with a very ineffective teacher. Havoc wrecked, things being thrown, furniture being broken, and of course, people yelling so loudly, that you can barely hear anything. Yes, a lot of this has happened in this session too. But the productivity levels show how much of a difference it makes to have a majority in the house, with or without a coalition.

In a parliamentary party meeting held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, hints were dropped that things might be taken one step further. It seems that the government is considering the possibility of furthering extending the ongoing session of the Parliament. The parliament faces a large number of pending Bills and promises that need to be fulfilled. It is only natural that such measures are taken up. While at least 8 Bills have been passed, many still remain in wake of the dissolution of the last Lok Sabha.

After the current session, the next usual session would be during the winters. Sometimes, a Monsoon session is called for important matters. Sources, however, have told the Times of India that the government does not want to call the extra Monsoon session. they are hoping to have things dealt with, with just an extension of the current session.

PRS Legislative Research is an organ that conducts research into parliamentarians and the parliament, providing data and background into all concerned matters. The latest data released by them shows that until 16th of July, 2019, the Parliament’s productivity had been at a 20 year high of 128%. In fact, the 11th of July saw the highest productivity, with the House functioning on all the way past midnight discussing matters related to the Ministry of Railways. n Tuesday, again, the house held discussions and debate till midnight.

Among the pending Bills is the much-debated and opposed Triple Talaq Bill. Currently, an ordinance imposes criminal status on the triple talaq; this ordinance will lapse at the end of the current Parliament session.

While the option of renewal of the ordinance is still available with the government, the popular opinion is that a proper law, supported by a Bill will be more effective. This Bill will be on priority if the session is extended. The extension is likely to help effect the Bills which are currently in force in the form of ordinances, such as:

• Aadhaar laws
• Indian Medical Council Act
• Companies Act
• Jammu & Kashmir reservations
• Triple Talaq

A source from the government told The Indian Express ” There is pending business, it is true, but overall there has been much business including legislative business, completed during the session. The government obviously retains the option of extending it if they feel the need, but there is much consensus building that needs to be done before that decision is finally taken…”

Derek O’Brien, popular quiz master and Member of Parliament from Trinamool said, “This is a rumour they float every session. This is serious business. The real issue here is how they are passing Bills without scrutiny. That cannot be allowed.”