PARLIAMENT SESSION BEGINS - NO MAJOR HOPES
By Ruma Dubey
It seemed as though the Govt was getting back to some work today but nay, that was not to happen. Within half an hour of the session beginning, both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned till noon. And to think that in the remaining 15 sittings, the Parliament will pass 44 Bills? Such things do not even happen in our wildest dreams!
The agenda for this session, which ends on 30th August includes 32 pending Bills for consideration and passing. 25 Bills are listed for introduction out of which 11 Bills are listed for consideration and passing during the session. The agenda also includes six Bills for withdrawal.
There are only 16 sittings (now 15) and 44 Bills. Do we have hopes of seeing all this going through? Unlikely. The top most priority will be the Food Security Bill and that is obviously with 2014 Elections in mind. No political party can possibly reject it but there is sure to be a debate. Then there is the usual politics of Telangana, now Bodoloand too. The Durga Nagpal issue is also on the burn and that has pretty brought Samajwadi Party and UPA in a face-off. The Sp has threatened to oppose the Food BillBut given the fastidiousness with which UPA guards its ‘chair’ it is unlikely that there will be any premature withdrawal of support. Yes, it will a session of dirty politics as usual.
There is no hope in the heart of most of the bills getting through. The UPA should try its best to push but when all efforts will be on the Food Bill, there really is no will and time for the rest. Post this session, there will be just one more session before Elections and that last session, like the present one, will be all about politics. We have already seen the first day being a washout.
A quick look at some of the Bills listed for consideration and passing:
The Forward Contracts (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2010 - Permits commodity derivatives markets, establishes an independent regulator for that market, and requires commodity exchanges to be corporatised and demutualised
The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 - Replaces the Land Acquisition Act 1894, and provides for rehabilitation and resettlement of people displaced due to acquisition; a much needed Bill for India Inc to grow and expand.
The Direct Taxes Code Bill, 2010 -Replaces the Income Tax Act and the Wealth Tax Act and long pending.
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011 - Provides statutory powers to the pension fund regulator
The Companies Bill, 2012 - Replaces the Companies Act, 1956 to modernise the regulation of corporate structure and governance
The Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill - Raises the limit of foreign holding to 49% and allows entry of foreign re-insurers
The Piracy Bill, 2012 - Includes piracy as a crime in the IPC and sets up fast track courts
The Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organisations Bill, 2011- A very significant Bill which aims to prevent corruption relating to bribery of foreign public officials and officials of public international organisations
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 – To set up the office of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption
The Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011 – to put in place a system wherein incriminating information disclosure will ensure protection to the whistle-blower
Then there are 14 Bills listed for introduction and prominent amongst them:
The Coal Regulatory Authority Bill, 2013 – to appoint an independent regulatory for coal sector and create a level playing field for new entrants in the coal sector
The Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2013 – this Bill aims to give citizens a right for time bound delivery of goods and services and redressal of their grievances act
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013 - Establishes the Real Estate Regulatory Authority to regulate the sector and establishes the Appellate Tribunal to hear appeals from the decisions, directions or orders of the Authority
The Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2013 – to computerize the registration process to transfer immovable properties
If the ministers truly cared about the country and its people there should truly be a constructive debate on the Land Acquisition Bill, falling growth of the economy, depreciating rupee, the sinister mid-day meal scheme especially in the face of Food Bill. The floods and rehabilitation of Uttarakhand and the worrying intrusion in Ladakh; all these require urgent attention. But it is unlikely that any of this will be even discussed.
This brings to mind the seven blunders listed by Gandhiji – Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Worship without sacrifice and Politics without principle. Unfortunately, all these seven blunders is what our lives have become today. The society is a reflection of the leadership and we are surely in a dark abyss.