After no-confidence debate, Parliament in overdrive to pass Bills

After acrimony of no confidence motion debate, both Houses working in harmony
The monsoon session is underway at the Parliament. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav/ EPS)
The monsoon session is underway at the Parliament. (Photo | Shekhar Yadav/ EPS)

NEW DELHI: The July 20 no-confidence motion appears to be proving a blessing in disguise for the Narendra Modi government. Both the Houses of Parliament appear to have gone into overdrive to clear a long list of Bills.

The BJP chief, Amit Shah, is apparently rallying the party’s MPs to remain in Parliament to help the government push through the pending Bills.

“As many as 22 legislative proposals had been allocated time for debate and passage during the second half of the Budget session. But no business could be transacted due to the ruckus. Now that the no-confidence motion has absorbed all disruptions within a single day, the Lok Sabha is working with perfect harmony, allowing taking up of Bills for discussion,” said a close aide of Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

The government is keen to push politically sensitive legislation, including the National OBC Commission Bill and the Bill against triple talaq, during the remaining days of the monsoon session, besides key amendments in laws on economic offences and crimes against women.

On Monday, the Lok Sabha had seven Bills listed in its agenda, which included “The Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (passed after discussion)”, and the “The Criminal Law (amendment) Bill, 2019 (Discussion to continue)”, which seeks to significantly enhance punishment for rape of minor girls. 

The Rajya Sabha appears to be in a race with the Lok Sabha to pass pending Bills. The Rajya Sabha has passed “The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017”, “The State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017”, “The Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017”, “The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013”, “The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2017”, and “The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, 2018”.

All not well

The NDA has not been able to convince the Opposition to allow the passage of contentious Bills, including the one against triple talaq, the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill, and the Bill on ancient monuments.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com