The government on Tuesday said there was a possibility of extending the current session of Parliament to enable the passage of Bills.
After a meeting of the BJP’s parliamentary party here, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the government was committed to completing the business of the House and sought the cooperation of the Opposition for the passage of important legislation.
However, senior leaders from several political parties said it was unlikely that the session would be extended beyond August 14, as the government had so far not referred the issue to the Business Advisory Committee and there were regulations that have to be followed. “The government can take a call whether to extend the session, but there is a laid down procedure which has to be followed. Also, they have to inform the BAC what the important business is,” said a party leader.
While the government is keen to pass Bills, including the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, Apprentices (Amendment) Bill, Constitution (121st Amendment) Bill, Repealing and Amending Bill, Factories (Amendment) Bill, the Insurance Bill, the Securities Laws (Amendment) Bill and the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Amendment Bill, there is speculation that a motion to move the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2008 to a select committee might be moved in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Earlier, Mr. Naidu accused the Congress of “running away” from passage of Bills. “The government has indicated that the session will be extended if the Opposition does not extend cooperation,” said a BJP leader.
