Lok Pal discussion sets the tone for a stormy session

Separate agendas of the government and the Opposition have set the tone for the Budget session.

While the government today stated the contentious Lok Pal Bill was unlikely to be taken up in the first half of this session; the Opposition looks determined not to allow the government have its way. They want the government to discuss the matter, the first thing tomorrow.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on Monday indicated the government wants to get the Budget and Vote on Account through by March 30. With the government and Opposition not on the same page as before, this session could see confrontations break out.

Bansal said the Lok Pal Bill, which had been passed by the Lok Sabha, was pending before the Rajya Sabha. The 180-odd amendments that had been moved in the Winter session had lapsed as the House had been prorogued and would need to be moved afresh.

ON THE MENU

Bill for introduction, consideration & passing

* The Finance Bill, 2012 

Bills for consideration & passing

* The Lok Pal and Lokayuktas  Bill, 2011, as passed by Lok Sabha 

* The Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011, as passed by Lok Sabha 

* The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010 

* The Educational Tribunals Bill, 2010, as passed by Lok Sabha 

* The Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2011, as passed by Lok Sabha 

* The National Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2011, as passed by Lok Sabha.

Financial business

* General Discussion on Budget (general) for the year 2012-13 

* Discussion and Voting on Demands for Grants on Account (general) for the year 2012-13

* General discussion on the Budget (Railways) for 2012-2013

When questioned about whether the Bill was a priority for the government, Bansal said, “We (government) will issue a notice specifying when we plan to take it up as it is priority for us.” Discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President for the presidential address to Parliament is on the agenda for tomorrow. The Railway Budget is scheduled for March 14, the Economic Survey will be tabled in Parliament the next day and the general Budget will be presented on March 16.

Bansal said the government has “very little time” for legislative business in the first half of the session despite the fact that 39 bills are listed for consideration and passing.

Significantly, while 30 bills have been listed for introduction, several have not even got Cabinet approval like the Public Procurement Bill, the Piracy Bill etc. Bansal insisted the government intended to pass these in this session.

As for the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill, Bansal said as the report had just been submitted by the committee, it would be the “first priority for the government to pass after the Budget”.

He dismissed suggestions the government was in a crisis in any way after the debacle of the Assembly elections. “Whatever numbers the UPA had are intact. We have adequate numbers,” he said.

The parliamentary affairs minister said that while the government was keen on conducting legislative business, it was the Opposition which wanted half-hour discussions on each issue. The first part of the session would have a “calling attention” on the issue of the two children of the non-resident Indian parents put into foster care by a Norwegian agency. It is also likely to witness a discussion on the alleged infringement of the federal structure of the Constitution by the Centre.

“We are agreeable to one discussion and one calling attention motion per week. More than this would leave little time for legislative business to be conducted,” said Bansal.

With the growing fissures between the government and the Opposition, a smooth running of the Budget session seems unlikely.