Business piles up for the last session

Contrary to what you expect from the last session of a Parliament,the one next week is going to be extremely hectic the government is planning to push through as many as 78 Bills. If the opposition does not raise issues such as the CEC affair,the session would see some serious business apart from interim general and railway budgets. Crucial legislations such as Judges Inquiry Bill,2006,Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill,2008,and Immoral Trafficking (Amendment) Act 1986 are in the queue.

Some of the pending Bills have made it through either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha,while others have been referred to the respective standing committees. The Womens Reservation Bill is yet to be passed as some political parties are opposing it. The Bill seeks to reserve 33 per cent quota for women in Parliament and state assemblies. The Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill,2008,although passed by the Lok Sabha,is yet to be okayed by the Upper House. The Bill seeks to grant judges dealing with corruption cases the powers to attach properties illegally acquired by holders of public office. The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill 2008 has been referred to the standing committee. The Bill seeks to bring services of money changers,money transfer service providers and credit card payment gateways under the ambit of anti-money laundering laws.

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill 2006 is also yet to be cleared by the Parliament. The standing committee has already submitted its report on it. It seeks to regulate the acceptance,utilisation and accounting of foreign contribution and acceptance of foreign hospitality by a person or an association by replacing the existing Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act,1976.

The fate of The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2007 is also hanging in the balance. It provides for on-the-spot suspension of the driving licence of anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol.

Another key legislation,The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill 2008,already passed by the Rajya Sabha,is yet to be through in the lower house. The legislation seeks to enforce job reservation for SCs/STs by stipulating penalties on offices which do not implement them effectively,barring faculty positions in 47 institutes of excellence in higher education like IITs and IIMs.

The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Amendment Bill 2006 is also yet to be passed. The standing committee has already submitted its report. The amendments seeks to strengthen the currently standing Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,1956. The bill provides for arrest of the customers who could be punished with a three-month imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000.