New Delhi: The much-awaited Monsoon Session of Parliament commenced on July 20, with opposition parties poised to address a range of pressing issues within the House. Among the key topics to be discussed are the recent Manipur violence, railway safety, unemployment concerns, inflation, the status of the India-China border, and the country’s trade balance. To ensure a smooth and productive session, a customary all-party meeting was held on Wednesday, attended by 34 parties and 44 leaders.
With a duration spanning until August 11, the Monsoon Session comprises 17 sittings. On the first day itself, some parties are gearing up to present an adjournment motion on the critical issue of Manipur violence, along with other pressing matters. A key demand from the opposition is the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the discussions, emphasizing the gravity of the issues at hand.
The government has an ambitious legislative agenda for this session, with 31 bills on the docket, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023. This ambitious plan aims to address significant concerns and enact vital reforms across various sectors.
Yet the start of the day had its share of moments as the Rajya Sabha proceedings were halted for an hour to honor the memory of Hardwar Dubey, a respected senior BJP leader and sitting MP who sadly passed away last month. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed his condolences for Dubey, who had been elected to the Upper House in November 2020. As a gesture of reverence the Lok Sabha also decided to suspend proceedings until 2 pm, as a tribute, to the Members of the House who have sadly departed in times.
As the Monsoon Session progresses, the nation will witness robust debates, crucial policy discussions, and legislative efforts to address the country’s most pressing challenges.