22.11.11

BJP to stall India?






The government may struggle to push through key legislations in parliament’s winter session with the BJP looking to set the pace and tenor by focusing on price rise and “black money” and knitting alliances with other opposition groups like Left and regional parties. Aware that the government is looking to reverse its negative momentum by focusing on bills like Lokpal, judicial standards and whistleblowers, the BJP is unlikely to give the ruling coalition an easy passage, insisting that discussions on inflation and wealth hidden in foreign accounts be taken up immediately. In a session with 17 working days, the government will be hard pressed to ensure that its agenda gets through and a major bill like Lokpal will need the top leadership like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reach out to the BJP to strike a political deal. While the BJP will not want to be seen as delaying the Lokpal law, it is likely to insist on conditions to make it tougher and will be loathe to let Congress end the session on an upbeat note. Sensing the government is under pressure, the saffron party will try and test internal fault lines, keeping the 2G telecom scam in its sights. Government sources said the BJP can be expected to keep its political ends in mind but the government will make a determined effort to ensure passage of the Lokpal bill even if this means cutting things fine as the standing committee report — not yet submitted — may be considered by the Cabinet.

BILLS PENDING

• 31 bills introduced in earlier sessions will come up for consideration and passing during the winter session

• Some are: Lokpal Bill, 2011

• Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the Disclosures Bill, 2010

• Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010

• Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011

• Life Insurance Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2009

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, 2011

• Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2010

23 new bills to be introduced

• Some are: National Food Security Bill, 2011

• Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011

• Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2011

• Nuclear Regulatory Authority Bill, 2011

• National Sports Development Bill, 2011

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