The Monsoon session of Parliament has begun today amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 18-day Parliament session is scheduled to be held between September 14 and October 1. Monsoon session in Parliament is usually around mid-July. 
 
The Rajya Sabha function timing is 9 AM to 1 PM, the Lok Sabha will function for 3 PM to 7 PM. Only on the first day, the Lok Sabha will meet in the morning session.

Earlier in the runup to the session,over 4,000 people including MPs and staff have been tested for COVID-19, most parliamentary operations have been digitalized, entire premises sanitised and doors made touch-free.

The first-of-its-kind Monsoon Session will see Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sitting in two different shifts, while special seating arrangements have been made for MPs in adherence to social distancing guidelines.

Barring on the first day, Rajya Sabha will convene in morning shift from 9 am till 1 pm, and Lok Sabha in evening shift from 3 pm to 7 pm. The chambers of both houses along with their respective galleries will be used for sitting of the members in each shift.

In between the two shifts, the entire complex will be sanitised. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Monsoon session of Parliament has begun today amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 18-day Parliament session is scheduled to be held between September 14 and October 1.

The Monsoon session of Parliament has begun today amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 18-day Parliament session is scheduled to be held between September 14 and October 1. Monsoon session in Parliament is usually around mid-July. The Rajya Sabha function timing is 9 AM to 1 PM, the Lok Sabha will function for 3 PM to 7 PM. Only on the first day, the Lok Sabha will meet in the morning session. Earlier in the runup to the session,over 4,000 people including MPs and staff have been tested for COVID-19, most parliamentary operations have been digitalized, entire premises sanitised and doors made touch-free. The first-of-its-kind Monsoon Session will see Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sitting in two different shifts, while special seating arrangements have been made for MPs in adherence to social distancing guidelines. Barring on the first day, Rajya Sabha will convene in morning shift from 9 am till 1 pm, and Lok Sabha in evening shift from 3 pm to 7 pm. The chambers of both houses along with their respective galleries will be used for sitting of the members in each shift. In between the two shifts, the entire complex will be sanitised. (With inputs from agencies)

Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today amid Covid-19

The monsoon session of the Parliament will commence on September 14 and conclude on October 1 and will be held by observing precautions related to COVID-19, sources said on Tuesday.

The decision on the dates of the session was taken in a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, sources told ANI.

The sources said provision has not been kept for holidays or weekly offs during the 18-day session but a final decision on "no-leaves during the entire session" will be taken at the all-party meeting.

Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will have 18 sittings each.

The sources said that the opposition parties are ready for 18 sittings but they want the session to be extended by a week so that there are weekly offs.

The government thinks that the conducting monsoon session during the coronavirus pandemic in itself is a big challenge.

It is looking to change the timings of both the Houses to prevent any overcrowding in the Parliament premises at any point of time.

It is also looking to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 related standard operating procedures (SOPs), including social distancing and sanitization.

A proposal for changing the rules for entry of journalists in the Parliament premises is also being considered owing to COVID-19 pandemic.

According to it, less than 30 media passes will be issued for covering the Lok Sabha proceedings while around 20 passes will be issued for covering Rajya Sabha proceedings.

The much-awaited session, for which the government has a heavy legislative agenda, has been delayed due to conditions created by COVID-19 pandemic.

The monsoon session of the Parliament will commence on September 14 and conclude on October 1 and will be held by observing precautions related to COVID-19, sources said on Tuesday.

The monsoon session of the Parliament will commence on September 14 and conclude on October 1 and will be held by observing precautions related to COVID-19, sources said on Tuesday. The decision on the dates of the session was taken in a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, sources told ANI. The sources said provision has not been kept for holidays or weekly offs during the 18-day session but a final decision on "no-leaves during the entire session" will be taken at the all-party meeting. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will have 18 sittings each. The sources said that the opposition parties are ready for 18 sittings but they want the session to be extended by a week so that there are weekly offs. The government thinks that the conducting monsoon session during the coronavirus pandemic in itself is a big challenge. It is looking to change the timings of both the Houses to prevent any overcrowding in the Parliament premises at any point of time. It is also looking to strictly adhere to all COVID-19 related standard operating procedures (SOPs), including social distancing and sanitization. A proposal for changing the rules for entry of journalists in the Parliament premises is also being considered owing to COVID-19 pandemic. According to it, less than 30 media passes will be issued for covering the Lok Sabha proceedings while around 20 passes will be issued for covering Rajya Sabha proceedings. The much-awaited session, for which the government has a heavy legislative agenda, has been delayed due to conditions created by COVID-19 pandemic.

Monsoon session of Parliament to be held from September 14 to October 1

The ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament could be extended for 10 days, Home Minister Amit Shah informed lawmakers during the BJP`s Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday. 
 
The meeting was held at the Library Building, ahead of the day's proceedings. Apart from the BJP president, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi also told MPs about the likely extension of the session. 
 
Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to name a few. After the previous meeting held last week, Joshi had said the Prime Minister reiterated that attendance is compulsory in the House and there is no exception to this. He had also asked lawmakers to ensure that the government schemes reach people. 
 
"There are complaints that ministers remain absent during their roster duties. Prime Minister asked for their names by the evening and said that serious cognizance will be taken," a senior BJP parliamentarian, who was present in the meeting, had told ANI on the condition of anonymity.

The ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament could be extended for 10 days, Home Minister Amit Shah informed lawmakers during the BJP`s Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday.

The ongoing Monsoon session of the Parliament could be extended for 10 days, Home Minister Amit Shah informed lawmakers during the BJP`s Parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday. The meeting was held at the Library Building, ahead of the day's proceedings. Apart from the BJP president, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi also told MPs about the likely extension of the session. Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, to name a few. After the previous meeting held last week, Joshi had said the Prime Minister reiterated that attendance is compulsory in the House and there is no exception to this. He had also asked lawmakers to ensure that the government schemes reach people. "There are complaints that ministers remain absent during their roster duties. Prime Minister asked for their names by the evening and said that serious cognizance will be taken," a senior BJP parliamentarian, who was present in the meeting, had told ANI on the condition of anonymity.

Monsoon Session of Parliament may be extended for 10 days, Amit Shah informs party MPs

BJP Leaders Reach Out To Congress Ahead Of The Monsoon Session.

Gravitas: Monsoon Session: Govt Reaches Out To Opposition

Monsoon Session of Parliament will begin in 10 days from now. 39 government bills are pending in Rajya Sabha. Govt need opposition on board to pass these bills. Poor relations between BJP & Congress hurt parliament. NDA does not have the majority in Rajya Sabha. Watch this video to know more.

India Watch: Govt Reaches Out To Opposition

In an outreach exercise before the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union minister Pralhad Joshi and other senior BJP ministers met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Arjun Meghwal accompanied Joshi, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, for the meeting which lasted around 15 minutes.

"Our meeting with Sonia Gandhi was very cordial. We sought her cooperation for the smooth functioning of Parliament. She said they (opposition) also need cooperation from treasury benches. I told her that the government has always been ready to cooperate," Joshi told reporters after the meeting at her residence.

The senior ministers also met Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. Sources say the BJP wants to end the logjam in Rajya Sabha which has led to more than three dozen bills not seeing the light of the day. Some of them are in force as ordinance, including the one to ban the practice of instant triple talaq, and government is keen to pass them in the House of Elders.

The ordinances were issued in February-March this year by the previous government.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on June 17. After new MPs take oath on the first two days, the Lok Sabha Speaker's election is scheduled for June 19. The session, the first of the 17th Lok Sabha, will go on till July 26 and the budget will be tabled on July 5.

President Ram Nath Kovind will address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on June 20.

In an outreach exercise before the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union minister Pralhad Joshi and other senior BJP ministers met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday.

In an outreach exercise before the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union minister Pralhad Joshi and other senior BJP ministers met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Friday. Union ministers Narendra Singh Tomar and Arjun Meghwal accompanied Joshi, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, for the meeting which lasted around 15 minutes. "Our meeting with Sonia Gandhi was very cordial. We sought her cooperation for the smooth functioning of Parliament. She said they (opposition) also need cooperation from treasury benches. I told her that the government has always been ready to cooperate," Joshi told reporters after the meeting at her residence. The senior ministers also met Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. Sources say the BJP wants to end the logjam in Rajya Sabha which has led to more than three dozen bills not seeing the light of the day. Some of them are in force as ordinance, including the one to ban the practice of instant triple talaq, and government is keen to pass them in the House of Elders. The ordinances were issued in February-March this year by the previous government. The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on June 17. After new MPs take oath on the first two days, the Lok Sabha Speaker's election is scheduled for June 19. The session, the first of the 17th Lok Sabha, will go on till July 26 and the budget will be tabled on July 5. President Ram Nath Kovind will address a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on June 20.

Government reaches out to Sonia Gandhi ahead of Parliament session

The Indian Parliament&#39;s Monsoon Session commences&nbsp;today (July 17),&nbsp;the same day that Members of Parliament cast their vote to elect&nbsp;the President.

Both Houses of Parliament, the&nbsp;Lok Sabha and&nbsp;the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned today because of the death of sitting members.&nbsp;

The 19-day Session is expected to be stormy with the Opposition likely to corner the government over key issues including the stand-off with China in Doklam, the killing of Hindu pilgrims in the terrorist attack in Amarnath, farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh, the roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the communal violence in West Bengal.

On Sunday the Speaker held an all-party meet to iron out differences between government and opposition parties.

She said all political parties had assured a peaceful and constructive Session and said they would discuss several issues.

&quot;I want this Parliament session to be fruitful. All political parties have assured me that they will help in conducting a peaceful parliament session. All political parties have urged that they want to hold fruitful discussions on various issues including the issues of the farmers,&quot; the Speaker said.

In an address to party leaders of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked all political parties to support the government in conducting business in both Houses of the Parliament without disruption and in constructive discussion on issues of national importance.

The prime minister also said it would have been good had a consensus been reached on the presidential candidate ahead of the presidential poll.

On July 14 and July 15, the government briefed leaders of Opposition parties about the month-old stand-off with China and the situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of the killing of the seven Amarnath pilgrims.

The Opposition was informed about the situation on the ground in Doklam and what the government intended to do to de-escalate the tension in the disputed area. It assured them the issue will be resolved diplomatically.

The Opposition, that includes the Congress, CPI-M, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Psarty, BSP, Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and DMK, is likely to ask for a debate on the matter but may not be very aggressive.

Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said in advance that GST roll-out will be raised during the session since the law in its present form is not the law that was originally drafted by his party, the Congress said on Sunday.

CPI-M leader Mohammad Salim said on Sunday that his party will raise the issues of cross border tensions with India and Pakistan, mob lynching by cow vigilantes, and the agrarian crisis.

The Trinamool Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal are likely to highlight the alleged targetting of Opposition leaders by central agencies like the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate.

The Monsoon Session concludes on August 11.

The 19-day Session is expected to be stormy with the Opposition likely to corner the government over the stand-off with China in Doklam, the killing of Hindu pilgrims in the terrorist attack in Amarnath, farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh, and the roll-out of the GST

The Indian Parliament's Monsoon Session commences today (July 17), the same day that Members of Parliament cast their vote to elect the President. Both Houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will be adjourned today because of the death of sitting members. The 19-day Session is expected to be stormy with the Opposition likely to corner the government over key issues including the stand-off with China in Doklam, the killing of Hindu pilgrims in the terrorist attack in Amarnath, farmer suicides in Madhya Pradesh, the roll-out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the communal violence in West Bengal. On Sunday the Speaker held an all-party meet to iron out differences between government and opposition parties. She said all political parties had assured a peaceful and constructive Session and said they would discuss several issues. "I want this Parliament session to be fruitful. All political parties have assured me that they will help in conducting a peaceful parliament session. All political parties have urged that they want to hold fruitful discussions on various issues including the issues of the farmers," the Speaker said. In an address to party leaders of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked all political parties to support the government in conducting business in both Houses of the Parliament without disruption and in constructive discussion on issues of national importance. The prime minister also said it would have been good had a consensus been reached on the presidential candidate ahead of the presidential poll. On July 14 and July 15, the government briefed leaders of Opposition parties about the month-old stand-off with China and the situation in Kashmir in the aftermath of the killing of the seven Amarnath pilgrims. The Opposition was informed about the situation on the ground in Doklam and what the government intended to do to de-escalate the tension in the disputed area. It assured them the issue will be resolved diplomatically. The Opposition, that includes the Congress, CPI-M, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Nationalist Congress Psarty, BSP, Janata Dal-United, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and DMK, is likely to ask for a debate on the matter but may not be very aggressive. Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said in advance that GST roll-out will be raised during the session since the law in its present form is not the law that was originally drafted by his party, the Congress said on Sunday. CPI-M leader Mohammad Salim said on Sunday that his party will raise the issues of cross border tensions with India and Pakistan, mob lynching by cow vigilantes, and the agrarian crisis. The Trinamool Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal are likely to highlight the alleged targetting of Opposition leaders by central agencies like the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. The Monsoon Session concludes on August 11.

Parliament's Monsoon Session begins today: What to expect

Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley will meet state ministers on Tuesday to put pressure on the opposition Congress party to back a long-delayed sales tax reform whose chances have again been thrown into doubt by a parliamentary standoff.

The proposed tax reform, the biggest since India&#39;s independence from Britain in 1947, seeks to replace a slew of central taxes and levies in its 29 states, transforming the nation of 1.3 billion people into a customs union.

The current monsoon session of parliament could be the best chance for Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s government to adopt a landmark Goods and Services Tax (GST) before campaigning hots up for state elections next year.

&quot;The meeting will discuss all pending issues on GST,&quot; said finance ministry spokesman D. S. Malik. &quot;Later, the government could decide a further course of action.&quot;

Yet Congress has been angered by a central investigation launched last week against one of its former state chief ministers over a case in which party chief&nbsp;Sonia Gandhi and her son and heir apparent, Rahul Gandhi, already face trial.

Both have denied accusations of misuse of party funds, in the case brought by Subramanian Swamy, a senior politician in Modi&#39;s ruling party, over property owned by a defunct party newspaper.

&quot;I don&#39;t think the Prime Minister and his government are sincere about any constructive cooperation,&quot; Anand Sharma, a senior Congress lawmaker in the upper house of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, told the Indian Express newspaper.

&quot;And in this vitiated environment, there is no cooperation possible between the Congress and the government,&quot; Sharma said, in comments echoed by senior party sources to Reuters on Monday.

With 60 members, Congress is the single largest party in the Rajya Sabha, whose members total 245. With the support of allies and a few regional parties that oppose the bill, it reckons the government cannot muster the two-thirds majority needed for a key amendment to enact the GST.

Modi&#39;s party, which lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha, had reached out to Congress to end its opposition to the GST bill, stalled in parliament for years.

Congress signalled until last week it could support the GST bill if the government agreed to cap the tax rate at about 18 per cent, even if this was not initially anchored in the law.

Jaitley has resisted capping the tax rate, winning backing from a growing number of state governments, and still hopes to pass the GST measure in the monsoon session that ends on August 13, and turn India into a single market for the first time. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Congress signalled until last week it could support the GST bill if the government agreed to cap the tax rate at about 18 per cent

Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley will meet state ministers on Tuesday to put pressure on the opposition Congress party to back a long-delayed sales tax reform whose chances have again been thrown into doubt by a parliamentary standoff. The proposed tax reform, the biggest since India's independence from Britain in 1947, seeks to replace a slew of central taxes and levies in its 29 states, transforming the nation of 1.3 billion people into a customs union. The current monsoon session of parliament could be the best chance for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to adopt a landmark Goods and Services Tax (GST) before campaigning hots up for state elections next year. "The meeting will discuss all pending issues on GST," said finance ministry spokesman D. S. Malik. "Later, the government could decide a further course of action." Yet Congress has been angered by a central investigation launched last week against one of its former state chief ministers over a case in which party chief Sonia Gandhi and her son and heir apparent, Rahul Gandhi, already face trial. Both have denied accusations of misuse of party funds, in the case brought by Subramanian Swamy, a senior politician in Modi's ruling party, over property owned by a defunct party newspaper. "I don't think the Prime Minister and his government are sincere about any constructive cooperation," Anand Sharma, a senior Congress lawmaker in the upper house of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, told the Indian Express newspaper. "And in this vitiated environment, there is no cooperation possible between the Congress and the government," Sharma said, in comments echoed by senior party sources to Reuters on Monday. With 60 members, Congress is the single largest party in the Rajya Sabha, whose members total 245. With the support of allies and a few regional parties that oppose the bill, it reckons the government cannot muster the two-thirds majority needed for a key amendment to enact the GST. Modi's party, which lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha, had reached out to Congress to end its opposition to the GST bill, stalled in parliament for years. Congress signalled until last week it could support the GST bill if the government agreed to cap the tax rate at about 18 per cent, even if this was not initially anchored in the law. Jaitley has resisted capping the tax rate, winning backing from a growing number of state governments, and still hopes to pass the GST measure in the monsoon session that ends on August 13, and turn India into a single market for the first time. (Reuters)

India's finance minister to seek opposition support for Goods and Services Tax bill

The monsoon session of the Indian parliament began on Monday, amid government&#39;s effort to push through major reform bills including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in the Rajya Sabha, upper house of the parliament. 
 
Ahead of the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that all should work together in this session to take the country forward. 
 
Modi had on Sunday reached out to the opposition parties to ensure passage of the GST bill while urging all to keep national interests above other issues. Speaker of the Lok Sabha, lower house of the parliament, Sumitra Mahajan also expressed hope that the house would function smoothly without any adjournments. 
 
Buoyed by the restoration of its governments in two states - Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand - the Congress party is likely to target the Modi supporters for &quot;using all tricks&quot; to destabilise opposition-ruled states. 
 
The Congress, which originally piloted the GST bill, has said it is still in favour of the same. The changes it has demanded include putting a cap of 18 per cent on GST rate in the constitution amendment bill. 
 
Of the 10 bills expected to come up in the Lok Sabha during the 20-day sittings are the Consumer Protection Bill 2015, the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2015, and the Lok Pal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill. 
 
A total of 25 bills are expected to come up for passing and consideration during the session. 
 
(DNA webdesk)

Prime Minister Modi has appealed to the opposition for smooth functioning of the house and keep national interests above others

The monsoon session of the Indian parliament began on Monday, amid government's effort to push through major reform bills including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in the Rajya Sabha, upper house of the parliament. Ahead of the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that all should work together in this session to take the country forward. Modi had on Sunday reached out to the opposition parties to ensure passage of the GST bill while urging all to keep national interests above other issues. Speaker of the Lok Sabha, lower house of the parliament, Sumitra Mahajan also expressed hope that the house would function smoothly without any adjournments. Buoyed by the restoration of its governments in two states - Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand - the Congress party is likely to target the Modi supporters for "using all tricks" to destabilise opposition-ruled states. The Congress, which originally piloted the GST bill, has said it is still in favour of the same. The changes it has demanded include putting a cap of 18 per cent on GST rate in the constitution amendment bill. Of the 10 bills expected to come up in the Lok Sabha during the 20-day sittings are the Consumer Protection Bill 2015, the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill 2015, and the Lok Pal and Lokayuktas and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill. A total of 25 bills are expected to come up for passing and consideration during the session. (DNA webdesk)

Tax bill in focus as monsoon session of Indian parliament begins

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