The monsoon session of Parliament begins today. It is expected to start on a stormy note with a united Opposition set to confront the government on price rise and host of other issues. The opposition has indicated that it will press for an adjournment motion on price rise issue on Tuesday as the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are expected to be adjourned immediately after obituary references over the death of two sitting members on the opening day. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said that the Opposition will demand annulment of the agreement reached with the Union Carbide under which paltry relief was given to those affected in the 1984 tragedy. She was talking to reporters after a meeting of political leaders convened by the Lok Sabha Speaker Mrs Meira Kumar on the eve of the monsoon session of Parliament. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to be targeted during the session with almost all parties demanding discussion on a spate of railway accidents. Briefing media on the agenda for the Monsoon Session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pawan Kumar Bansal said the government will bring the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha after consultations with political parties. The Rajya Sabha has already passed the Bill with stiff opposition from the SP, RJD and JD(U). In reply to a question on the proposed Food Security Bill, Mr. Bansal said the Government is still working on the draft of the bill. AIR correspondent reports that with the government in no mood to accept the opposition demand, a confrontation between the two sides is expected during the session. In a veiled warning, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said, there would not be any disturbance if the government heeded to their demand. She said that the UPA partners DMK and Trinamool Congress too wanted a discussion on the issue of price rise. Mrs. Swaraj alleged that the government had tried to break the opposition unity by its moves like CBI filing charge sheet against former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah but failed, as opposition has made common cause on the issue of price rise. The Indo-Pak talks, illegal mining issue, situation in Jammu and Kashmir are among the main issues which will be raised by parties during the session. The Bhopal Gas tragedy issue is also expected to generate heat during the month-long session with the BJP planning to seek a discussion under a rule that entails voting. More than 30 bills including the Direct Tax Code and the Whistle Blower Bill are to be introduced while the Civil Nuclear Liability and the Women's Reservation Bill are also listed for consideration and passing.
News On AIR | July 26, 2010 8:52 AM
Monsoon session of Parliament begins today