Amid Oppn protests, govt likely to push Parl agenda over extension of President's rule in Manipur this week

New Delhi: The government is likely to push its legislative agenda in Parliament this week ignoring Opposition protests, as the deadline for seeking extension of President's Rule in ethnic-violence hit Manipur beyond August 12 is coming close.

The statutory resolution to extend President's Rule in Manipur with effect from August 13, which was passed by Lok Sabha last week, has been listed for discussion in Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Incidentally, the government has only seven working days of Parliament to get the resolution on Manipur to be cleared by Parliament.

The government had listed a debate on the resolution in Rajya Sabha on Thursday and Friday last week but Opposition protest on Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls led to adjournment of the House without transacting any business.

A key floor manager for the government said they will push its legislative agenda if the Opposition continues with their protests.

The Lok Sabha had passed the resolution last Wednesday after a brief discussion. Two hours have been allotted for discussion in Rajya Sabha.

The government had imposed President's Rule in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on February 13, after the BJP failed to find a consensus for a successor to N Biren Singh who had quit four days ago. The Parliament had in April given its nod to the President's Rule till August 12 as per Constitution.

If the resolution is passed in Rajya Sabha, it may take up The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill for discussion.

On Monday, the government also listed two sports-related bills in Lok Sabha. The contentious National Sports Governance Bill, which envisages greater transparency in the functioning of sports bodies, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill are listed for discussion together on Monday.

On Tuesday, The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024 and The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 are listed for discussion in Lok Sabha while in Rajya Sabha, The Coastal Shipping Bill may come up.

So far, the government has managed to pass only The Bills of Lading Bill in Rajya Sabha besides a debate on Operation Sindoor for 16:50 hours and a farewell to retiring MPs. While on the first day, the Opposition boycotted the afternoon proceedings, their protests have resulted in complete washout on six of the ten working days so far.

In Lok Sabha, Operation Sindoor saw two days of debate spanning over 18:41 hours and passage of resolution. Both Houses also saw Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal making a statement following US President Donald Trump imposing a 25% tariff and penalty for buying military hardware and oil from Russia.