Cong seeks 'short' Parliament winter session to discuss farmers' stir, COVID

Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, wrote a letter to the Speaker,  Om Birla, requesting for a short winter session of Parliament to be convened.

He said this was necessary as there are many pressing issues to be discussed, such as the farmers’ stir, the status on COVID-19 vaccines, the border stand-off with China, economic slowdown, and unemployment. Chowdhury urged for “thorough and transparent” debates to be held.

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Chowdhury’s request comes a day after farmers, protesting against the three farm bills, demanded a special session in Parliament. Chowdhury might raise this issue at an all-party meeting on COVID-19 to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (December 4).

In the letter to the Speaker, Chowdhury wrote: “I would like to draw your kind attention that there are a number of very important issues that the nation is facing in the present times. The most notable among them are the ongoing farmers’ agitation, status/preparation of COVID-19 vaccine, the economic slowdown, unemployment scenario, the continuous stand-off on India-China border, unabated ceasefire violations on the Indo-Pak border. There is a need for a thorough and transparent debate/discussion on all the above mentioned important issues.”

He added: “In view of the above, I shall request you that a short winter session may be convened taking all COVID precautions. This will help the nation at large to understand and appreciate current important issues that the country is grappling with.”

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Manish Tewari agreed with Chowdhury and questioned that if the Standing Committees and Joint Parliamentary Committees are meeting daily, then should the winter session be skipped.