Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien today accused the BJP-led central government of never being serious about Parliament after it decided to recommend that the Monsoon Session meet from July 18 to August 10.
He said the schedule announced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar today reduces the number of working days of the session by a week and compared it to 2010 and 2011.
"Parliament dates announced. Under NDA government a drastic reduction in the number of working days. Monsoon Session ran for 26 days in 2010 & 2011, now reduced to a mere 18 days. Number of days for government business reduced by a week. This Govt never serious about Parliament (sic)," O'Brien tweeted.
The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, recommended the dates of the Monsoon Session. The session will have nearly 18 sittings.
President Ram Nath Kovind will now formally convene the session.
"We seek the support and cooperation of opposition parties. There are many important items on the legislative agenda that the government wants to take up in the Monsoon Session," Kumar told reporters after the meet.