New Delhi:: Amidst the fervent outcry over the situation in Manipur, the Monsoon session of Parliament kickstarts on Thursday, with the Opposition urging the Prime Minister of India to make a statement.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi has announced that 31 bills will be up for consideration during this monsoon session. Among them, the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, takes the spotlight.

Also slated for discussion are other significant legislations, such as the Bill intended to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, which was promulgated in May this year. This ordinance concerns the control of services in Delhi and came into being following the Supreme Court's verdict on an appeal by the Delhi government.

In preparation for a smooth conduct of the monsoon session, an all-party meeting was convened by the government, where 34 parties and 44 leaders participated. The session is scheduled to continue until August 11, spanning 17 sittings.

The government's agenda also encompasses other crucial Bills, including the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019; DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019; Mediation Bill, 2021; Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022; Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023; Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023; Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 (pertaining to the State of Himachal Pradesh); Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 (pertaining to the State of Chhattisgarh); Postal Services Bill, 2023; National Cooperative University Bill, 2023; and Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The comprehensive list continues with the inclusion of the International Monetary Fund and Bank Bill, 2023; Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023; National Dental Commission Bill, 2023; National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023; Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023; Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023; Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023; Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2023; National Research Foundation Bill, 2023; Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023; and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet had given its approval for the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023. This bill holds paramount importance, given the Supreme Court's 2017 ruling that privacy is a fundamental right. The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill is an essential component of the overarching technology regulations framed by the Centre.

Notably, the government had previously withdrawn the Personal Data Protection Bill from Parliament in August, stating that it would present a fresh bill. During the bill's earlier version, it underwent extensive consultations, including scrutiny by a Joint Parliamentary Committee. For the new bill, the government has conducted additional rounds of consultations to ensure its robustness.

Additionally, the Bill to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, aims to establish the National Capital Civil Services Authority. This authority will comprise the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary of Delhi, and Principal Home Secretary of Delhi, and will be responsible for making recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) on matters pertaining to officials' transfers, postings, and disciplinary actions.

While the government is poised to advance its legislative agenda, the Opposition parties have their own plans to raise several critical issues during the Monsoon Session. Some of the key points on their agenda include Manipur violence, railway safety, unemployment, inflation, India-China border standoff, and trade imbalance between the two nations.

Pralhad Joshi, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, has extended the government's call for the Opposition's support in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Parliament throughout the Monsoon Session. He stated, "The government is ready to discuss all issues in the Monsoon Session. We have appealed to the Opposition parties to support the smooth functioning of the Parliament."

On the first day of the Parliament's Monsoon Session, some parties intend to present an adjournment motion, with Manipur violence being one of the focal points among other concerns.

All-party meeting, opposition to raise diverse issues in monsoon session

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