Parliament shows ?Unusual Unity? on Lokpal and Devyani issue

Winter Session of Parliament adjourned sine die

V Shanmuganathan

Winter Session of Parliament, began on December 5, 2013, marked by the passing of historic Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill, 2013, with only Samajwadi Party raising a voice of dissent on the bill.

While remembering twelfth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Parliament building on the December 13, 2001, both the houses recalled the supreme sacrifice made by the security personnel. Parliament expressed firm resolve to fight terrorism with determination and re-dedicate ourselves to protect the sovereignty and integrity of our nation. One minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memory of those, who lost their lives in this tragedy.

Shri Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was felicitated on being conferred the Bharat Ratna. Report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine matters relating to allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum was presented, debate or raising of objections were not allowed.

Condolences to Mandela: 

While expressing grief over the demise of founding father of South Africa, Nelson Mandela the speaker Ms Meira Kumar said,”He fought relentlessly for the rights and liberty of the people of South Africa throughout his life. His struggle gave hope to millions suffering around the globe. Dr Mandela became a powerful symbol of the Anti-apartheid Movement in South Africa. The Minister of Home Affairs Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde, Smt Sushma Swaraj, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, Shri Sharad Yadav, Shri TKS Elengovan, Smt Sonia Gandhi all spoke.

A delegation of the members of parliament of Myanmar also visited Lok Sabha under the leadership of U Khin Aung Myint, Speaker of Amyotha Hlluttaw (Upper House) of the Parliament of Myanmar.

Many members sought the resignation of Justice Shri AK Ganguly from the post of Chairman of West Bengal Human Rights Commission for allegedly harassing a Law Intern.

Anna Hazare’s fast led to the passing of the Historic Bill: The minister of state in the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions and the minister of state in the Prime Minister’s office Shri V Narayansamy, moving the motion for consideration on the Bill, said: Lok Sabha passed this Bill. Then, it came to the Rajya Sabha. The Hon’ble Chairman constituted a Select Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri Satyavrat Chaturvedi. They recommended about 15 amendments. In Clause 3(4) of the Bill the Committee has recommended that the words “connected with any political party” may be replaced by the words “affiliated with any political party”. In Clause 4(1)(e) of the Bill the Select Committee has recommended that the eminent jurist may be selected by four members of the collegiums headed by the Prime Minister. It has been decided to accept the recommendation of the Select Committee made in Clause 14(1)(g). In Clause 14(1) (h), we have agreed to exempt only such bodies or authorities from the purview of the Lokpal. In Clause 20(1) of the Bill, the Select Committee has recommended that the Lokpal should be given the power to order an investigation straightway. While responding to the bill proposed by the government. The Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Shri Arun Jaitley said, “Today’s debate is an extension of the debate of December 29, 2011. Government’s understanding has somewhat changed and it understands the merit of things said on December 29, 2011. With the necessary amendments the Bill was re-introduced in the Lok Sabha where leader of opposition Smt Sushma Swara said  that we should pass the Bill in Lok Sabha as soon as it is sent to the House after its passage in the Rajya Sabha. I am happy that Lokpal Bill is back in the House despite so many hurdles and we have a great opportunity in hand in turning this session into a memorable session once we are able to pass Lokpal Bill in the House despite facing so many challenges.  

Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav while opposing the aired his fear that the Lokpal Bill is brought with such dangers that officers will shun responsibility.

Besides this issues of Public Humiliation of Indian Deputy Consul General in New York, implementation of Kasturirangan Committee Report on Western Ghats in Kerala, and hardships being faced by the sugarcane farmers were also discussed.