Garima Sharma, Pune
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha at 11 am on Monday, September 18, marking the commencement of the Special Session of Parliament, which is scheduled to last for five days until September 22.
About eight measures are being considered and passed during this special session of Parliament, and there are also talks about the 75-year history of the Indian Parliament. Starting the next day, the new Parliament building will serve as the new location for these sessions.
On Sunday, during an official ceremony, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar hoisted the Indian flag at the ‘Gaja Dwar’ entrance of the newly constructed Parliament building.
Political circles were taken aback when this Special Session was announced, especially in light of the forthcoming assembly elections in five states later this year. The BJP-led national government has come under fire from opposition parties for calling this special session without disclosing its agenda.
During this unusual parliamentary session, the Congress party in particular has pushed for the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill. The history of this legislation was emphasized by Congress National Secretary Jairam Ramesh, who noted that Rajiv Gandhi had originally submitted Constitution Amendment Bills for one-third reservation in panchayats and nagarpalikas in May 1989. In September 1989, these legislations were approved by the Lok Sabha but rejected by the Rajya Sabha.
Ramesh continued by stating that in April 1993, the Constitution Amendment Bills for one-third reservation for women in panchayats and nagarpalikas were successfully reintroduced by Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao. As Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh submitted a Constitution Amendment Bill that would have granted women a one-third reservation in the federal government and state legislatures. On March 9, 2010, the Rajya Sabha passed the bill, but the Lok Sabha did not take it up. Importantly, Ramesh emphasized that the Women’s Reservation Bill is still in effect and that bills presented or passed in the Rajya Sabha do not expire.
Since the Upper House of Parliament never dissolves, sustaining the continuity of legislative activities, this bill, which was first approved in Rajya Sabha during the Manmohan Singh-led administration, continues to be relevant.