Parliament Winter Session: Lok Sabha adjourned till Dec 18
What's the story
On the first day of the Parliament's Winter Session, the Lok Sabha was adjourned after obituary references. Proceedings will resume from 11am on December 18. Earlier, PM Narendra Modi sought the opposition's cooperation for a "meaningful and constructive" Parliament session. However, the Congress seemed unwilling to comply as it insisted on an apology over Modi's remarks on former PM Manmohan Singh.
Schedule
The shortest session in almost two decades
The session is scheduled to include 14 sittings during a 21-day period through January 5. Twenty-five bills are pending in the Lok Sabha and 39 in the Rajya Sabha. Important topics to be discussed include the Supplementary Demands for Grants, a Bill for setting up of National Commission for Backward Classes as a constitutional body, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and legislation banning triple talaq.
Twitter Post
Modi seeks productive session, constructive debate and innovative solutions
The Winter Session of Parliament is starting and I am confident that it will be productive session. I hope there is constructive debate and we come up with innovative solutions to our nation's problems: PM @narendramodi speaks at the start of the Winter Session of Parliament
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 15, 2017
Delay
There was "unprecedented" delay in announcing the session
The Modi government had been criticized for delaying the session. Congress accused it of "shying away" to hide its "failures", while the CPI(M) taunted it for the "anti-democratic" precedent. A united opposition is likely to corner it on inefficient implementation of demonetization and GST. RS Chairman, Venkaiah Naidu had said it's important the opposition is heard, but also that the government has its way.
Pakistan
Congress demands apology over Pakistan collusion allegations
Before the session, the Congress raised Modi's allegations of Manmohan Singh and other Congress leaders colluding with Pakistan to influence the Gujarat polls. "Either the government proves the claim or Modi apologizes," Anand Sharma said. "For the first time a PM has accused a former PM, former VP and diplomats of conspiring with Pakistan. Modi must clarify," said Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Information
Opposition parties met a day before, NDA allies' meeting today
The Congress and several opposition parties met a day before the start of the session to formulate a strategy to corner the government. Meanwhile, NDA allies will be meeting on December 15 at 4pm. A cabinet meeting has been scheduled for 1pm in the Parliament.