32 measures to come in budget session, Lokpal Bill unlikely

The bills do not figure among the 32 measures that would be introduced in the three-month long session.

The measures to be tabled include the controversial Communal Violence Bill, Press and Registration of Books and Publications Bill and the Land Acquisition (Amendment) bill.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters that the Food Security and the Lokpal Bills have not come before the Union Cabinet.

Asked as to how the Communal Violence Bill was being brought in view of the National Advisory Council headed by Sonia Gandhi suggesting comprehensive measure, Bansal said that official amendments could be brought during the passage.

The Press and Registration of Books and Publications bill has been dubbed as 'draconian' by the Indian Newspaper Society, a body of newspaper owners, which alleged the measure has been brought without consulting it.

Trinamool Congress, which is a key component of UPA, has reservations about the Land Acquisition (amendment) bill as land acquisition is a ticklish issue in assembly poll-bound West Bengal where TC leader Mamata Banerjee is being projected as the next Chief Minister.

The bill seeks to amend the land acquisition Act whose provisions have sparked controversy. It is being brought along with the Rehabilitation and Resettlement bill.

Asked whether differences over the Land Acquisition Bill have been settled, Bansal said, "I understand it is so."

The Equal Opportunity bill, being brought as per the recommendations of the Sachar Committee which went into the plight of Muslims, had been a subject matter of controversy with a number of ministries objecting to its overriding mandate, after which government limited its scope only to minorities.

The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Amendment Bill and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill are among other measures being introduced.

Women's Reservation Bill, officially known as the Constitution (108 Amendment) bill, is among the 31 bills being brought for consideration and passage during the three-month session. The bill which has already been passed in the Rajya Sabha, seeks to provide one-third reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies.

Among the economic bills, the government proposes to introduce the Constitution Amendment Bill to pave the way for introduction of the long-awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The other important economic legislations slated to be taken up by the government in Parliament include the Companies (Amendment) Bill 2009 and the Chartered Accountants (Amendment) Bill 2010.