Parliament Monsoon Session begins: What's Opposition's agenda?

The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins from Monday with the Opposition all set to raise the issues of ongoing India-China standoff in Ladakh, handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic slowdown. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have drawn up their strategies on how to approach Ordinances brought by the Centre during the pandemic. The Congress, in particular, has decided to oppose bills related to the four Ordinances likely to be tabled by the Center during the session. Currently, 46 bills are pending in Parliament of which, 17 bills are listed for consideration. At the same time, six bills are listed for withdrawal and 23 bills are listed for introduction, consideration, and passing.

The Parliament session, scheduled to be held between September 14, 2020, and October 1, 2020, is being held amid unprecedented precautionary measures against Covid-19 due to a continuing spike in cases. On the eve of the session, the Union Health Ministry reported 94,372 fresh cases in 24 hours. The government has, meanwhile, listed 23 new legislations for consideration and passage including 11 bills replacing ordinances. There also 20 other bills pending in either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.

The Monsoon session will commence at 9 am with both Houses paying obituary references to former President Pranab Mukherjee and other sitting and former members who have died during the interregnum period. Both Houses will be adjourned for an hour after the obituary references. Rajya Sabha will then hold the election to the post of Deputy Chairman, while Lok Sabha will take up 'The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020' and 'The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020', to replace the ordinances issued earlier.