Parliament Monsoon Session begins today: Opposition vs NDA government; key points on NEET-UG and Kanwar Yatra disputes

Parliament’s Monsoon Session 2024: On Monday, the first Monsoon Session of Parliament will convene following the record-breaking third straight term of the NDA administration, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. One day before she presents the Union Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey in Parliament in the afternoon.

The combined opposition is prepared to corner the NDA administration on a number of topics, including the NEET paper leak case, the dispute over the orders from the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand requiring restaurants along the Kanwar Yatra route to post the identities of their owners, and railway safety. The Monsoon Session will conclude on August 12.

Parliament Monsoon Session: Top updates

1. The government is likely to introduce six measures, including one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act, at the 19th session of the Parliament Monsoon Session. The Parliament will also be asked to approve the budget for Jammu and Kashmir, which is governed by the central government.
2. The opposition parties declared they will bring up the matter in Parliament, intensifying the controversy over the order requiring restaurants along the Kanwar Yatra route to post the identities of their proprietors.
3. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, DMK, SP, and AAP, criticised the order made by the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments at an all-party meeting on Sunday before the start of the Parliamentary session. They also made it clear that they will bring up the matter in both Houses. They insisted that the administration permit a debate about it in the legislature.
4. In order to find out what topics the political party floor leaders would like to discuss during the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called a meeting of them.
   
5. Under the leadership of former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, the Biju Janata Dal has announced that it will actively bring up state-related matters in Parliament and act as a formidable opposition. After winning election to lead the BJD Parliamentary Party, Patnaik has asked his fellow MPs to champion Odisha’s demand for special category status.
   
6. According to Congressman Jairam Ramesh, the opposition will oppose any government initiative that would reduce the ownership in public sector banks to less than 51 per cent.
   
7. The government may amend the Banking Regulation Act of 1949 during the monsoon session, as well as other laws like the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act of 1970 and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act of 1980 during the budget session. As a result, the government’s shareholding in PSBs may decrease to less than 51 per cent.
   
8. The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill has also been scheduled by the government for introduction, deliberation, and passage in addition to the Finance Bill. A Lok Sabha bulletin on Thursday stated that the proposed legislation intends to offer more clarity and convergence in the functions of various organisations working in the sphere of disaster management.
   
9. The aim of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 is to supersede the Aircraft Act of 1934 by introducing regulations that facilitate business operations in the civil aviation industry.
   
10. The Boilers Bill, which would replace the pre-Independence statute, the Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, and the Rubber (Promotion and Development) Bill are the other bills scheduled for introduction and passage during the session.

Also Read: Terrorists attack Army camp in J-K’s Rajouri, forces set to launched major operation