Explained | What to expect from the Monsoon Session of Parliament?

The Narendra Modi-led government is set to introduce 21 new Bills in the Monsoon Session which begins on July 5. Read The Hindu explainer on the old and new Bills that are likely to be taken up and the issues which are set to rock Parliament yet again.

The story so far: After a turbulent Budget Session, the stage is set for yet another round of clashes between the Narendra Modi-led government and a united opposition over a host of issues during the Monsoon Session of Parliament starting on Friday, July 20. Spread over 23 days with 17 sittings, the session begins in the old building and is later expected to move to the new building where it will conclude on August 11.

The government plans to take up seven Bills for consideration and passage and introduce 21 new draft legislations during the session, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill.

There is no mention of a Bill on the Uniform Civil Code in the tentative list of legislative business of the 12th session of the 17th Lok Sabha. although speculative reports about the government’s plan to table such a Bill were doing the rounds. The issue will, however, be on top of the agenda of the Opposition which has regrouped to form the INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) alliance to take on the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The government is also expected to face Opposition heat over the Manipur crisis and the issues of price rise, unemployment and alleged misuse of central agencies.

Bills that have been introduced and will be now taken up for consideration and passing:

1. The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022

The Bill was introduced in December 2021 to amend the existing Biological Diversity Act of 2002. It was referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for scrutiny in 2022. The draft legislation seeks to reduce compliance burdens and simplify requirements for domestic companies using biological resources. It also exempts registered certain practitioners from giving prior intimation to concerned authorities for accessing biological resources. It facilitates fast-tracking of research and decriminalises certain offences. The draft came under heavy criticism, with environmentalists claiming that the amendments prioritise commercial trade at the expense of biological resources. Here’s The Hindu explainer on the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill.

2. The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023