Govt: No winter session due to pandemic, Budget session in January
In a letter to Chowdhury, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the government is willing to have the next session of Parliament at the “earliest”, and that it would be appropriate to have the Budget session in January.
The Budget session had begun on January 31 last year, and on January 28 in 2018.
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Days after Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, sent a letter to Speaker Om Birla, urging him to convene a short winter session of Parliament to discuss issues such as the farmers’ agitation, the government on Monday informed him that floor leaders of various parties, whom it had consulted, were in favour of doing away with the session due to the pandemic situation.
In a letter to Chowdhury, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the government is willing to have the next session of Parliament at the “earliest”, and that it would be appropriate to have the Budget session in January.
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The Budget session had begun on January 31 last year, and on January 28 in 2018.
Chowdhury confirmed receiving the letter but said he never suggested that the winter session should not be held. “Rather,” he told The Indian Express, “I suggested that the session should be held.”
The Congress leader alleged that the government is running away from Parliament to evade questions on issues such as the farmers’ protests.
In the letter to Chowdhury, Joshi wrote: “You are aware that the Monsoon Session was slightly delayed, and was held in September 2020 due to extraordinary situation arising out of Covid-19 pandemic, following all precautionary protocols…. the Session proved to be one of the most productive sessions of Parliament, with 27 Bills passed by both Houses in 10 continuous sittings.”
He wrote that the winter months are “crucial for managing the pandemic because of recent spurt in cases during this period, particularly in Delhi.”
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He stated, “At present, we are in the middle of December and a Covid vaccine is expected very soon. In this regard, I have informally contacted floor leaders of various political parties and they have expressed their concerns about the ongoing pandemic and opined of doing away with Winter Session.”
The government, Joshi wrote, is “willing to have the next session of Parliament at the earliest: it would be appropriate to have the Budget Session, 2021 in January, 2021 keeping in mind the unprecedented circumstances created by Covid-19 pandemic.”
When contacted, Chowdhury said: “I have never suggested that the session should not be held. In many states, Assembly sessions are being held. Why should Parliament enjoy the exemption when, in the same country, Assembly sessions are being held? It is simply a fig leaf to hide the failures of this government – the government is hesitant because it does not want to reply to anything in Parliament.”
He maintained that the government is “dithering” on several issues, including farmers’ agitation, and therefore “they don’t want to convene the winter session of Parliament”.
Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape.
Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis.
The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage.
Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting.
Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics.
National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections.
Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum.
Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital.
Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief.
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