Monsoon Session of Parliament Begins July 21, Speaker Appeals for Constructive Debate

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Monsoon Session of the Lok Sabha is set to begin on Monday, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla making a special appeal to all political parties ahead of the session. In a post on social media platform X, Birla urged all parties to cooperate in ensuring the smooth functioning of the House and to participate in constructive debates.

“The fifth session of the 18th Lok Sabha (Monsoon Session) is commencing. In this sacred temple of democracy, the collective role of all representatives is extremely important to express public aspirations and safeguard national interests,” Birla said. He further appealed to leaders and members of all parties to contribute to the orderly conduct of the House, engage in meaningful discussions, and uphold healthy democratic dialogue so that inclusive development, social justice, and economic progress can be achieved. He expressed hope that the session would uphold the dignity of democracy, the prestige of Parliament, and the priority of public welfare while strengthening democratic values, unity in diversity, and constitutional principles.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament will run from July 21 to August 21, lasting a total of 32 days, with 21 sittings scheduled. Both Houses of Parliament will be adjourned from August 12 to 17 for Independence Day celebrations and will resume on August 18. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address Parliament before the session formally begins.

The Opposition has lined up several issues to demand answers from the government, the most prominent being Operation Sindoor. The debate on this topic comes in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. Opposition parties have demanded a statement from Prime Minister Modi and have also sought clarity on repeated claims by former US President Donald Trump regarding his offer to mediate peace between India and Pakistan.

Other topics expected to feature in the session include the special intensive revision of the voters’ list (SIR) in Bihar. Opposition parties have raised concerns over the transparency and timing of the process, alleging that the government is attempting to influence upcoming state elections.

Meanwhile, the government is preparing to introduce eight key bills during the session. These include proposed laws on GST reforms, taxation, public trust regulation, sports administration, port and mineral management, and the preservation of geo-heritage sites. The session is expected to be politically charged, with debates ranging from national security to electoral integrity.