Centre Ready To Discuss Election Reforms on December 9 Amid Opposition Uproar; 10 Hours Allocated To Discussion

New Delhi: In a major breakthrough, an all-party meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has decided that discussion on 150th Anniversary of 'Vande Mataram' will take place from 12 noon on Monday (December 8) and discussion on election reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday (December 9). 

The decision comes amid Opposition's continuous demand for discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Parliament. The opposition flagged serious concerns over large-scale irregularities reported from multiple states and the alarming deaths of more than 30 Booth Level Officers due to suicides and cardiac arrests while on SIR duty. The issue also led to pandemonium on the first and second day of the Winter Session of the Parliament and the Opposition also staged a walkout from the House amid the furore on first day.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed about the decisions taken at all-party meeting. Rijuju took to X and posted, "During the All Party Meeting Chaired by Hon'ble Speaker Lok Sabha today, it has been decided to hold discussion in Lok Sabha on 150th Anniversary of National Song 'Vande Mataram' from 12 Noon on Monday 8th Dec and discussion on Election Reforms from 12 noon on Tuesday 9th Dec."

‘Government ready to discuss any matter’

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju earlier while responding to the matter said the government is ready to discuss any matter, but the opposition should not insist on timelines. He added nobody is undermining any matter which was brought out by the opposition parties yesterday in the all-party meeting or today. 

Rijuju said, "It is under the consideration of the government. If you put a condition that it has to be taken up today itself, then it becomes difficult because you have to give certain space. The matter related to SIR or electoral reforms, the demand that you have put forward has not been rejected. Don't presume that the government is not ready to discuss on any matter," as per news reports.

BAC Meeting

As per sources, BAC meeting allocated 10 hours for discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram song and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to initiate the discussion on the 150th anniversary of the national song. They said ten hours have also been allocated to the discussion on electoral reforms where Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal is likely to reply to the debate on Wednesday. 

In the floor leaders' meeting, it was decided that the Lok Sabha will run smoothly from Wednesday without any disruption.

Om Birla Summon leaders

Amid constant disruptions and adjournment in the Parliament, Speaker Om Birla had summoned opposition floor leaders and ministers for a meeting to resolve the disruptions and restore order in the House. Opposition sloganeering and protests forced the Lok Sabha to be adjourned till tomorrow 11 am.

Opposition MPs continued their chant of 'vote chor, gaddi chod' (vote thief, leave your seat) against the Central government, while demanding a discussion on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as soon as the proceedings began.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the Opposition's actions are being watched by the entire country. "Dear members, I would request you, the Question Hour is important, please let it continue. I am seeing the way you are protesting, inside the house and outside, this is not in the interest of the Parliament or the country," he added.

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