Parliament may see a joint session forced by Opposition

The winter session of Parliament will begin from November 24 & close on December 23

The winter session of Parliament will begin from November 24 and finish on December 23. The passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, the Insurance (Laws) Amendment Bill and the coal ordinance is likely. The latter could see a joint session.

The latest version of the insurance Bill says the shareholding of foreign investors (including foreign institutional investors) should not exceed 49 per cent of the paid-up capital of a company.

The Securities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014, restores judicial oversight of search-and-seizure operations on suspected violator's premises. It has been introduced in the Lok Sabha but is yet to be discussed.

A section of the Congress believes the coal ordinance does not break Coal India's monopoly. Another says it is a curtain-raiser to privatising the sector, which could cost India dearly.

Whether the government calls a joint session to pass the ordinance or passes it like any Bill in the two Houses separately hangs on the Congress's position.

A joint session can be called (after such piece of advice is given to the President by the government) once a House has passed a Bill but the other has rejected it, or does not act on it for six months.

In this case, the coal ordinance must be rejected by the Rajya Sabha if the Opposition there forces the government for a joint session. The Opposition has a majority in the Upper House.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu is expected to assess the Opposition's position and revert to the government.