Key bills face bumpy ride in Budget session

The bill seeking to replace the recent ordinance to curb violence against women is set for a bumpy ride in Parliament. Saubhadra Chatterji reports.

The bill seeking to replace the recent ordinance to curb violence against women is set for a bumpy ride in Parliament.

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Several opposition parties have expressed apprehension about the misuse of some of its provisions and sought it to be reviewed by a standing committee to include safeguards.

While all parties were supportive of stricter laws to curb violence against women, many leaders felt that the government should not rush into such a legislation which can result in the miscarriage of justice.

Samajwadi Party even questioned if the government is mulling separate roads for women.

“It is up to the Speaker to decide if she would like to send the criminal law amendment bill to a standing committee,” parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath said.

The government has to replace an ordinance with a bill, pass it in both Houses of parliament and get President’s assent—all within six weeks (42 days) from the start of the Parliament session.

If the bill is referred to a standing committee, there are chances that the government may miss this 42-day deadline on April 3 which would result in the lapse of the much-hyped anti-rape ordinance.

At a meeting convened by parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath, the parties even failed to arrive at a consensus over other key bills like food security, land acquisition and Lokpal and sought further review by parliamentary panels for each of them.