Despite disruptions on black money and re-naming of Hyderabad airport, Government claims to have had a productive first week of Parliament in the Winter Session and has now lined up some important Bills for the second week.
According to officials, among the `important’ and ‘substantial’ legislative business lined up next week after discussions in the Business Advisory Committee of both the Houses are two Bills to replace two Ordinances pertaining to coal blocks allocation and textile undertakings. And, two Bills related to repealing of old and outdated laws too will be tabled in both the Houses.
Besides, The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and The Merchant Shipping (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013 will be placed before the two Houses. Two Bills relating to legislative Councils in the states of Tamil Nadu and Assam are lined up both the Houses. Sources said Bills relating to Merchant Shipping, Repealing of antiquated laws and legislative Councils may be taken up for consideration after clubbing appropriately.
In addition, The Anti-hijacking (Amendment) Bill, 2010 besides The IIIT Bill and the Constitution Scheduled Castes Orders (Amendment) Bill as passed by lok Sabha may be moved for Consideration and Passing in Rajya Sabha. The School of Planning and Architecture Bill, 2014 may also be taken up in lok Sabha.
Government is largely satisfied with the legislative business transacted in the first week even though first day was a wash out due to death of sitting members. Three Bills — The labour laws Amendment Bill, The Delhi Special Police Establishment Bill, The Apprentices Act (Amendment) Bill — were cleared by the Parliament. The Government also made suo-moto statements on the issues of Indian hostages in Iraq and WTO talks in both Houses. The issue of bringing back Black Money from foreign banks were discussed by both Houses while Rajya Sabha also took up the issue of dilution of MNREGA under Calling Attention Motion.
Sources said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is of the view that government should not shy away discussing any issue and, in fact, volunteer to make its stand known on issues of public importance within the rules of procedure.
It is learnt that Parliamentary Affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu had assured during an all party meet on November 23 that Government will walk extra-mile to accommodate oppositions concerns and walking the talk. Government told BAC of both the Houses and its floor managers that within the allocated time on each bill or issue for discussion, opposition and other parties may be given more time than entitled.
It has also been agreed that every week, one Calling Attention motion and one short duration discussion on issues of urgent and public importance will be taken up in both the Houses there by giving clarity to the work schedules.
The Bills passed by the lok Sabha in the first week are: The Delhi Police Special Establishment Act (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The labour laws (Exemption from Furnishing Records and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Amendment Bill, The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2014, The Indian Institutes of Information Technology Bill, 2014 and The Constitution Scheduled Castes Orders (Amendment) Bill,2014.
Rajya Sabha passed the labour laws (Exemption from filing Returns and maintaining Registers by certain Establishments) Amendment Bill, 2014, The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (Amendment) Bill, 2014 and The Apprentices Act (Amendment) Bill.
Two Private Members’ Bills were discussed in Rajya Sabha relating to Compulsory Military Training Bill and the Fertilizer Prices Control Bill while lok Sabha also took up The Central Himalayan States Development Council Bill and The Acid (Control) Bill.
