Pics: Parliament session extended by one day; Imp Bills to be passed

New Delhi, Sept 5: In the wake of Parliamentary affairs coming to a standstill amidst controversies, confusions and accusations, top notches in the political circuit have decided to extend the monsoon session by one day. As per sources, the final decision would be taken today by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs.

The reason behind the extension?

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kamal Nath suggests that Bills that have been lying pending for months together should be cleared this session. Hence, an extension is required. "If the need be we can extend the monsoon session of Parliament. Key legislations are pending, we hope the parties will cooperate," Kamal Nath said.

Decisions Pending

The RTI Amendment Bill: Introduced in August 12 by V Narayanasamy, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, in the Lower House, it was cleared by the Union Cabinet exceptions, giving immunity to the Political parties and negate the Central Information Commission (CIC) order to this effect. Many RTI activists have opposed to the proposed changes. The CIC had demanded that six national political parties-Congress, BJP, NCP, CPIM, CPI, and BSP should come under the Act.

The Judges Appointment Bill: The Bill sought simplification of the appointment of the judges to the High Court and the Supreme Court . First introduced in the Rajya Sabha today, the Bill aims to set up a Judicial Appointment Commission that will be responsible for judicial appointments and transfers, making the process more transparent.

Bills cleared till now

3 of UPA Government's pet projects have been cleared by the Parliament till now. These are:

The Food Security Bill: As per the Bill, every person belonging to the priority households will be entitled for 5 kg of food grains at subsidised rates per month. It aims to cover 75 percent of rural and 50 percent of urban population. Village panchayats have been assigned the job of making the list of the eligible families.

The Land Acquisition Bill: The will aptly replace the century old Bill, making it mandatory that consent be taken from at least 70 per cent of the landowners for acquiring land for Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects and 80 per cent of owners for acquiring land for private companies.

The Pensions Bill: Passed last night, this Bill enables individuals to plan their post-retirement requirements and allows foreign investors to acquire upto 26 percent stake in the sector. It also allows 49 per cent FDI in pension and insurance sector.

Kapil Sibal

Union Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal speaks in Lok Sabha during ongoing monsoon session in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Chidu effect

Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram speaks in Lok Sabha during ongoing monsoon session in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Kamal defence

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath speaks in Rajya Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday.

BJP meeting

Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, Kamal Nath and Finance Minister P Chidambaram coming out after a meeting with BJP leaders in Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday.

During a meeting

BJP President Rajnath Singh with party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad after a meeting with Union Minister Kamal Nath and P Chidambaram in Parliament House in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The Sabha scene

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and SP MP Rewati Raman Singh in Lok Sabha in New Delhi on Thursday during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament.

Venkaiah Naidu

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu speaks in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Thursday during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament.