Dubbed the most crucial Parliament session in the second term of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the Winter session beginning tomorrow is poised to be challenging.
Important pieces of legislation, including financial Bills, are required to be introduced and passed. However, with the Opposition parties already making clear their intent to not let the government have its way, the appeal by the Congress-led UPA for cooperation from all parties is likely to go unheeded.
The session will see two separate adjournment motions on the first day: the BJP will move one on black money, while the Left will pilot one on price rise. The two sides are in touch with each other and are likely to help each other on the floor of the House.
| CRUCIAL BILLS |
| The Lok Pal Bill, 2011: Provides for the establishment of a Lok Pal for inquiring into corruption complaints |
| The Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosure Bill, 2010: Seeks to protect whistle-blowers |
| The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011: Gives statutory status to the authority |
| The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010: Requires judges to declare assets and lays down judicial standards |
| The National Food Security Bill, 2011: Seeks to provide food and nutritional security by ensuring access to adequate quantities of quality food at affordable prices |
| The Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2011: Proposes to set up a benefit-sharing regime for mining companies to share profits and royalty |
Black money will cover in its rubric the facts coming out on the 2G scam, while the price rise motion will put the government on the mat on its record at inflation management. Even after pooling resources, the Opposition does not have the strength to bring the government down, unless it can rope in the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi party, two large parties that have given letters of support to the UPA.
What the Opposition can do effectively is stall proceedings. After much of the last two sessions were a washout because of disruptions by the Opposition, all eyes are on the four-week session. It will be followed by the Budget session (which traditionally sees little or no legislative business), a rash of assembly elections and, eventually, a general election. “If we don’t get substantial work done in this session, the government is in for a hard time,” say worried North Block bureaucrats.
As it is, Anna Hazare’s threat has cast gloom over the UPA. The government has committed itself to introducing the Lok Pal Bill in the session, failing which Hazare would resume his agitation. Significantly, a standing committee is still deliberating over it and is yet to report. But, indications are it will be ready by early December.
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Among key financial Bills pending before Parliament is the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill 2011, which will provide the regulatory authority statutory powers, including that to take punitive action on violations. The interim PFRDA authority, at present, is not backed by a statutory mandate.
Another crucial Bill for consideration is the LIC Amendment Bill, which increases the equity capital of the insurance behemoth from Rs 5 crore to Rs 100 crore. The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill is the cornerstone of the judicial reforms much touted by the government. Its intent is to bring about disclosure of assets for all high court and Supreme Court judges and lay down a ‘code of conduct’. Thereby, judges can be probed over corruption allegations as that would be a violation of their code of conduct.
Among other important Bills lined up is the National Advisory Council-backed National Food Security Bill. Issues such as the extent of coverage of such food security, the amount of subsidy and the role of the PDS in such a system will be the aspects likely to be debated. The sports ministry-led National Sports Development Bill and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority Bill are among the 23 new Bills listed for introduction.
The government is leaving no stone unturned to enable the smooth running of Parliament. The Opposition is equally clear it will seek hard answers and says it is the government's responsibility to get the legislative business done.