CCPA meet on Wednesday to finalize Parliament session dates

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs meets here on Wednesday to finalise the dates of the monsoon session of Parliament amidst indications that it could start on July 20.

New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs meets here on Wednesday to finalise the dates of the monsoon session of Parliament amidst indications that it could start on July 20.

The session, generally a three to four-week affair, is likely to be stormy this time with government facing mounting criticism from the Opposition on the Lalit Modi controversy and land acquisition ordinance issues.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh heads the CCPA which also has sveral senior ministers including the Parliamentary Affairs Minister as its members.

Sources in the government said the session could begin from July 20 but a final call will be taken by CCPA.

Congress has been warning that the upcoming session could be in jeopardy if External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia were not made to resign on the Lalit Modi row.

BJP has, however, rejected the demand.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that it would virtually impossible to transact any business if the opposition demands are not met over the Lalit Modi issue.

The amendments to the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, the Waterways Bill, GST Bill and the amendments to the land acquisition bill are some of the key measures pending in Parliament.

Lok Sabha had 35 sittings during the budget session, the highest in the last five years, while Rajya Sabha held 32 sittings.

During the last session, Lok Sabha lost six hours and 54 minutes due to interruptions but made up for the lost time by giving up lunch hours and working beyond scheduled time for 42 hours and 41 minutes. Rajya Sabha lost 18 hours and 28 minutes but gained 20 hours.

Government is keen on a minimum of 100 sittings of Parliament each year as recommended by the last Conference of Chief Whips and floor leaders of legislatures held in October 2014.

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