Due to the continued rise in Covid-19 cases in India, the much-waited Monsoon session of parliament may shift to September this year. According to a report in Hindustan Times, a September schedule is starting to look more appropriate as safe proceedings cannot be carried out in the month of August amid rapid surge in coronavirus cases.
Under the Constitution of India, it’s mentioned that the duration between two sessions should not exceed six months. As of now, Parliament has over a month and a half to start the monsoon session since the budget session ended on March 23, two days before a nationwaide lockdown was enforced in the wake of coronavirus crisis.
“Monsoon session in August looks very tight. Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretariats have discussed a couple of seating options with the government. A final view on them is yet to be taken. Once the Union Cabinet decides, it will take about four weeks to put in place necessary arrangements,” Hindustan Times quoted a source as saying.
The monsoon session of Parliament normally begins in the last week of June or first week of July, but has been delayed until yet amid concerns over coronavirus panemic. Last year the Monsoon Session ran between June 20 and August 7.
India’s top legislative authorities, including Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, are keeping a strict watch on covid-19 condition in country to finalise the dates for the session. Many special arrangements including social distancing to the timing of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha will required to be changed amid the pandemic.
Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had said amid concerns that the Monsoon Session will begin on time despite the coronavirus concersn. “Despite COVID-19 crisis, I am hopeful that session could be held on time. But it will also depend on the situation prevailing at that time,” Mr. Birla told PTI.
