Government to pursue Lokpal bill in budget session

The government Monday said it will pursue the contentious Lokpal bill in the budget session of parliament which began earlier in the day.

The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during the winter session last year but got stuck in the Rajya Sabha, where the United Progressive Alliance government is short of numbers.

Among the other important bills lined up for consideration and passing are the land acquisition bill, the grievance redressal bill, the whistle blower’s protection bill, the nuclear safety regulatory authority bill, the pension fund regulatory authority bill, the judges accountability bill, the women’s reservation bill and the seeds bill.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters that the government has listed 30 new bills for introduction and 39 bills for consideration and passing.

Among the bills listed for introduction are the biotechnology regulatory authority bill, the piracy bill, the agricultural biosecurity bill and the public procurement bill.

The General Budget for 2012-2013 will be presented March 16. During the session, the Finance Bill 2012 is listed for introduction, consideration and passing.

The Railways Budget for 2012-2013 will be presented to the Lok Sabha March 14 followed by the Economic Survey March 15.

The session, which will last till May 22, is scheduled for 35 sittings.