New Delhi: The Union government has officially declared its intent to convene a special session of Parliament, scheduled to take place from September 18 to 22, encompassing five distinct sittings. This session will mark the 13th assembly of the 17th Lok Sabha and the 261st assembly of the Rajya Sabha. The formal announcement was made via Twitter by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. He underscored that the session’s primary purpose is to engage in comprehensive discussions and constructive debates concerning an array of pivotal subjects. These include but are not limited to the national economy, the escalating trend of inflation, and the ongoing farmers’ protest.
Special Session of Parliament (13th Session of 17th Lok Sabha and 261st Session of Rajya Sabha) is being called from 18th to 22nd September having 5 sittings. Amid Amrit Kaal looking forward to have fruitful discussions and debate in Parliament.
ಸಂಸತ್ತಿನ ವಿಶೇಷ ಅಧಿವೇಶನವನ್ನು… pic.twitter.com/k5J2PA1wv2
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) August 31, 2023
It is assumed that this session is poised to be marked by considerable turbulence, with opposition parties likely to raise an assortment of matters. Among these anticipated subjects are the contentious Pegasus spyware scandal and the intricacies of the Rafale deal. In the same vein, the government is expected to grapple with challenging inquiries regarding its management of the economy and its response to the farmers’ protests.
This unique session is strategically positioned in proximity to the impending winter session of the parliament, set to commence on November 18. The forthcoming winter session is projected to span a more extended duration and encompass an elevated number of sittings.
The timing of this announcement holds particular significance, arriving at a juncture when the government confronts a multitude of formidable challenges, including a perceptible economic deceleration, the ongoing farmers’ protest, and the persistent ascent of inflation. This session is viewed as an invaluable opportunity for the government to actively engage with these issues and seek a broad consensus on matters of national importance.
The response of opposition parties to this announcement remains a point of anticipation. However, indications suggest that the session is likely to be charged with impassioned exchanges, as both the government and opposition strive to convey their respective viewpoints and gain traction on key issues.
However, government sources have also indicated that the agenda might encompass Amrit Kaal celebrations and India’s status as a ‘developed nation’. Notably, there is no indication of any significant bill set to be passed. The timing of this special session is intriguing, coinciding with the third meeting of the formidable opposition coalition I.N.D.I.A in Mumbai. Comprising 28 parties, this alliance has explicitly stated its ambition to unseat the Bharatiya Janata Party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming general election scheduled for next year. This special session will unfold amid a series of momentous events, including India’s recent hosting of the G20 Summit in Delhi, which took place from September 8 to 10.
Furthermore, the session will follow a recent development wherein the Supreme Court was informed that the government is receptive to the idea of conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir. This revelation came during the court’s hearing on multiple petitions challenging the government’s decision to revoke Article 370 in J&K. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta conveyed that the timing of elections in the former state rests with the central and state election bodies.
