News Politics National Government to push economic agenda in Winter session of Parliament

Government to push economic agenda in Winter session of Parliament

New Delhi: Winter session of Parliament beginning tomorrow is expected to generate heat with government planning to push an ambitious economic agenda undeterred by resistance from a section of the Opposition.  The much-delayed Insurance Bill

The Congress, which is the largest opposition group in the Lok Sabha has also made it known that it could have reservations if the government brings amendments to various bills, including the one on land laws which was passed during the UPA regime.

A meeting of Secretaries of various Ministries and Departments with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier this week concluded that 39 bills may be ready for either introduction or consideration in the session being held from November 24 to December 23.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, notwithstanding reservations by some parties, has decided to go ahead with shifting the timing of the Question Hour from 11 AM to 12 PM from the upcoming Session in an apparent move to ensure disruption-free proceedings during this segment.  

But Lok Sabha has no plans to shift the timing of the Question Hour. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said last night that none of the leaders at the all-party meeting expressed any divergent views on her stand that the timing of the Question Hour—which commences at 11 AM—should not be changed.

Mahajan said starting the day with Zero Hour which often witnesses uproar could better be avoided, suggesting it was not a good beginning to the day's proceedings.

 During the month-long Session having a total of 22 sittings, Opposition is likely to rake up the issue of the proposed disbanding of the Planning Commission and government's alleged “U-turn” on bringing back blackmoney stashed abroad.

The Nanavati Commission report on Gujarat riots, repeated incursions by Chinese Army, a series of accidents involving naval vessels, Shiv Sena's demand for a special package for Maharashtra where parts of the state facing drought-like situation and AAP's demand for package for Punjab farmers are also likely to be raised.