CCPA to meet tomorrow, may decide on short spl session

Talk of a short special session of Parliament has gained ground as Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs meets tomorrow on the last day of the Monsoon Session, which was virtually a wash out.
There is a speculation that the government may call a short special session of both Houses of Parliament to pass the GST Bill, if it is not passed tomorrow, government sources said.
The meeting is also significant as the land ordinance issued for the third time last month will expire on August 31 and if the government wants to re-issue it for a record fourth time to "maintain continuity", one of the Houses will have to be prorogued to keep the ordinance alive as was done after the Budget Session earlier, they said.

While an ordinance has a life of six months, it has to be approved by Parliament within six weeks of the commencement of the session which follows its promulgation. An ordinance cannot be re-promulgated while the House is in session.
Under Article 85(2) of the Constitution, the President is vested with the power to prorogue (end a session) both Houses of Parliament. If Houses are not prorogued and are only left at being adjourned sine die by Chair in Parliament, the same session continues and can be reconvened at any time.
There was a speculation in the government circles that if the government manages to rope in regional parties and chooses to press for the GST bill, then it may not recommend to the President for the prorogation of any House after their adjournment sine die.

This could enable it to call a short session at a short notice, they added.
Government had yesterday moved for consideration of Rajya Sabha the Constitution amendment bill for introduction of GST but a debate on it was blocked by a vociferous Congress which raised procedural issues.
With some regional parties like BJD, SP and INLD voicing disapproval of the disruptions in Parliament, there is a view in the government that the pro-reform measure GST can be pushed for which Trinamool Congress had already made a strong push. Government is also trying to bring NCP on board on the GST.