Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that leaders of all parties have been urged to hold discussions on key issues in the interest of the country.
While speaking to media, he said, “The monsoon session would begin on July 18, and it would conclude on August 12. I have appealed to all party leaders to hold discussions on key issues currently facing us, in the interest of the country.”
Birla’s comments came minutes after he held a meeting with leaders of all political parties ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. He briefed them on the preparations related to the Session.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, DMK MP TR Balu, Union Minister and BJP MP Pralhad Joshi, BJP MP Arjun Ram Meghwal, YSRCP MP PV Mithunreddy, RLJP MP Pashupati Kumar Paras, and other party MPs attended the meet.
According to sources, during the all-party meeting, the leaders of the opposition parties raised the demand for discussion on inflation, Agnipath scheme and the fall of rupee against the dollar.
As many as 24 new bills will be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session of the Parliament, including Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2022.
“The Bill seeks to replace the Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867 by decriminalisation of the existing Act, keeping the procedures of the extant Act simple from the view point of medium/small publishers and uphold the values of Press Freedom”.
The Bill may see stiff opposition as it is said that this bill is being brought to control the small publishers and digital media. The Opposition has already alleged that the government is trying to stifle voice of dissent in the country.
Another important bill is Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which seeks to provide regulatory framework for Carbon Trading in India, to encourage penetration of renewables in energy mix, and effective implementation and enforcement of the Energy Conservation Act.
Four other bills have been referred to the standing committee: Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021; Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019; Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019; and National Anti-Doping Bill, 2021.
The one bill which has been introduced in Lok Sabha but not sent to standing committee is Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022.