- Govt, Oppn gear up for intense Monsoon Session final week.
- FCRA amendment bill expected; Amit Shah to lead debate.
- Congress issues whip; women's reservation bill also possible.
Neelu Ranjan, Jagran, New Delhi: Both the government and the opposition are gearing up for the final week of the monsoon session. A high-level meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alongside a whip issued by the Congress party directing its MPs to be present on August 10, 11, and 12, signal intense activity ahead.
After a meeting with the Home Minister, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma stated that an amendment bill related to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) will be introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, August 12.
ALSO READ: Parliament Monsoon Session: Congress Issues Whip To MPs, Asks Them To Be Present From August 10-12
Amit Shah Expected To Lead FCRA Debate
According to sources cited by Jagran.com, Shah is expected to lead the discussion on the FCRA amendment bill and address Opposition allegations in Parliament. Addressing demands regarding his presence, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that he attends the House to conduct ministerial business rather than in response to political pressure.
Congress Issues Whip To Its MPs
The Congress on Friday issued a whip to its MPs in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, directing them to be present in their respective Houses on August 10, 11, and 12. The party has also requested all INDIA bloc allies to ensure their MPs remain present on these three days.
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Sources indicate the opposition's primary concern is not the FCRA amendment, which requires only a simple majority, which is with the NDA and can pass despite disruptions, but the potential introduction of a constitutional amendment related to women's reservation and delimitation. As a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority, Congress leaders suspect the government might attempt to replace the FCRA bill with the women's reservation and delimitation bill.
Government To Move Ahead With Bills
Rijiju on Thursday indicated that the government would move forward with three key bills even if talks with Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi fail and the parliamentary deadlock persists.
Meanwhile, Shah met with representatives of Christian organisations to address their concerns regarding the FCRA bill. Following discussions with the main opposition party and community representatives, the government affirmed its decision to proceed with passing the bill in a democratic manner after consulting all the parties.