3 weeks ago
Monsoon Session Heads for Washout Amid Uncertainty over Key Bills
India's Parliament has two big groups of leaders who often disagree: the government and the opposition.
Right now they are having a special meeting time called the Monsoon session.
The session is almost over, with only four days left.
The government wants to pass some important new laws, but the opposition says the laws are unfair.
One proposed law would give more seats in Parliament to women.
Another would change how voting areas are drawn.
A third would watch more closely how groups get money from other countries.
Because the two sides cannot agree, Parliament keeps taking breaks, and not much work is getting done.
That is why people say the session may end as a 'washout' with very few new laws.
With four days left in the Monsoon session, the women's reservation, delimitation and FCRA Amendment bills were absent from Monday's Lok Sabha agenda.
The Congress and most of its allies have vowed to oppose the women's reservation, delimitation and FCRA Amendment bills, though a few opposition parties have softened their stance.
The Constitution Amendment Bill proposing 33 per cent reservation for women in 2029 and a redrawing of Lok Sabha constituencies was defeated in April for failing a two-thirds majority.
KC Venugopal, speaking in Alappuzha, Kerala, called the FCRA bill 'unconstitutional and anti-people', alleging it targets minorities and NGOs.
With the NDA's strength at 299 in the Lok Sabha, the government remains short of the 360 votes needed to pass a constitutional amendment.
- Who
- India's government and its NDA allies, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju handling outreach, versus the Opposition led by the Congress, including Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and Jairam Ramesh.
- What
- Uncertainty over the women's reservation, delimitation and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Amendment bills as the Monsoon session heads for a washout amid a parliamentary logjam.
- Where
- Parliament in New Delhi, India.
- When
- The Monsoon session that began on July 20, with four days remaining and the session scheduled to continue till August 13.
- Why
- The Congress-led Opposition opposes the bills as unconstitutional and anti-people, and the government lacks the two-thirds majority needed to pass constitutional amendments.
Congress-led Opposition
Government (NDA)
FCRA Amendment Bill
Congress-led Opposition
Congress and NCP-SP oppose it, calling it unconstitutional, anti-people and aimed at minorities and NGOs; foreign funding should not always be viewed with suspicion, and it should be withdrawn or sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. DMK chief MK Stalin also urged the Centre to withdraw the bill.
Government (NDA)
The government wants to pass the bill this week; it would significantly tighten oversight of foreign-funded organisations and create a new authority to seize and manage the assets of non-profits that lose their licence.
Women's reservation and delimitation bills
Congress-led Opposition
Congress and most allies vow to oppose them; the DMK says it never supported delimitation and will not in the future; Rahul Gandhi insists on convening an all-party meeting before offering support.
Government (NDA)
The government wants both bills passed, including 33 per cent reservation for women in 2029 and redrawn Lok Sabha constituencies; the Shiromani Akali Dal, whose chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extended support, and some opposition parties have mellowed after outreach.
Session logjam and path to passage
Congress-led Opposition
The opposition is protesting police action on NEET paper leak agitators, demanding statements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah; Jairam Ramesh warned that the history of mass suspensions should not repeat itself, and the Congress issued a whip for MPs in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to be present on August 10, 11 and 12.
Government (NDA)
Kiren Rijiju met and telephoned Rahul Gandhi twice to end the impasse; government floor managers are gauging the views of Akhilesh Yadav and DMK leadership, and both the BJP and Congress have issued whips for the final-week showdown.
Key facts
- Session
- Monsoon session, started July 20
- Session end
- August 13
- Time remaining
- Four days
- NDA Lok Sabha strength
- 299 seats
- Votes needed for constitutional amendment
- 360
- April vote on Constitution Amendment Bill
- 298 in favour, 230 against
- Proposed women's reservation
- 33 per cent for women in 2029
- FCRA bill provision
- New authority to seize and manage assets of non-profits that lose their licence
Quotes
AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal
KC Venugopal, AICC general secretary
“"Even if Amit Shah comes to pass this anti‑people bill, there is no doubt that he will have to face strong protests in Parliament. This bill is unconstitutional and anti‑people. We will not allow such an anti‑people and unconstitutional bill to be passed."”
thehansindia.com
“"If the Central government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves."”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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