On the lines of Tamil Nadu government, the ruling Congress will introduce the Bill to amend the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, when the Assembly re-convenes on Thursday for a short session.
Sources in the Assembly Secretariat told The Hindu that the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Puducherry Amendment) Bill, 2017, had been circulated among the MLAs for their perusal, before being presented on the first day.
The introduction of the Bill is a sequel to the Assembly resolution passed in the Budget session seeking the approval of the Union Government to enact an appropriate law to ensure that Jallikattu was held without any hindrance. Once the Bill was passed, it would be sent for Presidential assent, a source in the government said.
The session would see the introduction of Puducherry Court-Fees and Suits Valuation (Amendment Bill), 2017. The Bill would make way for introduction of a provision to buy judicial stamp paper online.
Mandatory session
The Cabinet, which met under Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on November 9, had decided to convene the House as the constitutional mandate of conducting it at least once as six months will lapse in December.
The session would re-convene at 10.45 a.m. The session in all likelihood would be held for a day or two but Opposition parties — the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam — would use the opportunity to put the ruling front on the mat on several issues, including delay in implementing welfare measures.
AIADMK leader A. Anbalagan said the party would definitely raise non-implementation of schemes announced, including free rice and old age pension.
Interestingly, a case filed by three BJP MLAs challenging the Speaker’s order rejecting their nomination would come up on Tuesday.
BJP leader V. Saminathan said the party would decide its strategy only after the court gives its verdict. The party had taken up with its Central leadership the order issued by the Speaker rejecting their appointment by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Meanwhile, three Congress MLAs — T. Djeamourthy, V. Vizeaveny and E. Theeppainthan — have filed a complaint with the Speaker against the AINRC member Ashok Anand with the Speaker for his conduct in the last Assembly session.
Mr. Anand had tried to troop into the well of the House with a megaphone while the Opposition and treasury benches were locked in a heated exchange on Centac admission.