The upcoming five-day special session of Parliament is scheduled to commence today, marking a significant transition as parliamentary proceedings move from the old building to the adjacent state-of-the-art facility on September 19.
Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, announced that the session will feature five sittings across five days and will address eight legislative items. Additionally, there will be discussions on the “Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha,” encompassing achievements, experiences, memories, and learnings.
On Sunday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar ceremoniously hoisted the national flag atop the “Gaja Dwar” of the new Parliament building, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in attendance. The Special Session of Parliament is scheduled to run from September 18 to 22.
After a period of uncertainty regarding the agenda, the government recently unveiled a comprehensive plan that includes bills for consideration and a discussion on the “Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha.”
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Joshi appealed to all political parties for active cooperation and support to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament. The meeting of floor leaders from various political parties was attended by several ministers, including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, and Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, along with 51 leaders from 34 parties.
Joshi informed the leaders about a scheduled photo session on September 19, 2023, from 10:00 am to 10:45 am, followed by a ceremony in the Central Hall beginning at 11:00 am. The ceremony will be graced by dignitaries such as the Vice-President/Chairman of Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, and the Leader of the Largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha, as well as members of both Houses of Parliament.
Following the conclusion of the Central Hall function, both Houses will convene in their respective Chambers in the New Parliament House.
The announcement of the Special Session took many by surprise, as political parties are currently gearing up for assembly elections in five states later this year.
Furthermore, the legislative agenda for the session includes four bills, including one regulating the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
Among these bills are ‘The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023,’ and ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023,’ which were already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3. The former amends the Advocates Act, 1961, while the latter repeals the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Additionally, ‘The Post Office Bill, 2023’ is listed in the Lok Sabha’s business; it was introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 10, 2023, and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
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