All Party meeting convened today ended the stalemate in Parliament over opposition's demand for discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, it also has decided that discussion on 150th Anniversary of 'Vande Mataram' will take place from 12 noon on Monday and discussion on election reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday.
In what is being seen as a breakthrough in terms of resolution of the impasse, the meeting has paved the way for the smooth functioning of the Lok Sabha from tomorrow. The House witnessed adjournments from the start of the winter session of Parliament on Monday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed about the decisions taken at all-party meeting.
"During the All Party Meeting Chaired by Hon'ble Speaker Lok Sabha today, it has been decided to hold discussion in Lok Sabha on 150th Anniversary of National Song 'Vande Mataram' from 12 Noon on Monday 8th Dec and discussion on Election Reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday 9th Dec," Rijiju said in a post on X. Rijiju had earlier given an indication of a solution to the impasse, saying the government is ready for discussion on electoral reforms.
Sources said the BAC meeting allocated 10 hours for discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram song. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to initiate the discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song. They said ten hours have also been allocated to the discussion on electoral reforms. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is likely to reply to the debate on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Rijiju met floor leaders of political parties but refused to give a timeline for the discussion on electoral reforms, contending that the Opposition cannot dictate terms to the government. Rijiju is learnt to have ruled out a discussion on SIR, contending that it was an administrative matter of the Election Commission and the government had no role in it.
However, the Minister was ready for a discussion on a broader subject of electoral reforms as it fell within the government's purview. The Opposition has been insisting that the government give an assurance on the floor of the House on the discussion on the SIR exercise.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the second consecutive day over Opposition protests on the SIR exercise currently underway in 12 states and Union Territories.The winter session of Parliament began on Monday, and Lok Sabha witnessed three adjournments on the opposition's demand for SIR. The Opposition pressed with its demand on Tuesday also leading to adjournments. The House was first adjourned till 12 noon, then till 2 pm and later for the day.In the floor leaders' meeting, it was decided that the Lok Sabha will run smoothly from Wednesday without any disruption.
In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition parties staged a walkout over their demand for immediate discussion on SIR. The monsoon session of Parliament was virtually washed out due to the opposition's demand for discussion on SIR.
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