In the preceding months, several Indian states convened their Monsoon Sessions to address pressing legislative matters. This blog provides a concise overview of the key developments from the sessions in four states – Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. These sessions played a crucial role in shaping policies, discussing important bills, and deliberating on issues that impact the lives of millions of citizens. From economic reforms to social welfare measures, the Monsoon Sessions in these states showcased the diversity of concerns and priorities, highlighting the complexity of governance in India.
The Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislature, conducted from July 17th to August 4th, was marked by extensive deliberation and legislative efforts. Notably, amidst their robust session, the legislature successfully passed 16 bills, signifying a significant legislative stride. Among the pivotal bills were The Essential Commodities (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Maharashtra Village Panchayats and the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the establishment of the MIT Vishwaprayag University, Solapur, Act, 2023, reflecting the focus on development within the state.
The Monsoon Session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature took place from September 21st to September 27th. During this session, the Assembly worked for 25 hours and 15 minutes, while the Council clocked 17 hours and 12 minutes. A total of 50-starred questions were effectively answered in both the Assembly and the Council. The Andhra Pradesh Legislature passed 18 bills. Some crucial bills among these included the Andhra Pradesh Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Andhra Pradesh Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Andhra Pradesh Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The Odisha assembly held its monsoon session from September 22nd to October 4th. In this session, the assembly worked for 8 hours and 35 minutes. 147 starred questions were answered orally, and answers to 1024 unstarred questions were placed on the Table. Notably, the assembly passed 10 bills, featuring significant legislative endeavors such as the Odisha Land Reforms (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the NIST University, Odisha Bill, 2023, and the SILICON University, Odisha Bill, 2023. Furthermore, 3 Ordinances were laid on the Table, including the Odisha State Commission for Backward Classes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, the Odisha Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, and the Odisha Apartment (Ownership and Management) Ordinance, 2023.
The West Bengal Assembly initiated its Monsoon Session on July 24th, featuring an extended period of legislative activity. During this prolonged session, the Assembly introduced and passed 7 bills. Notably, a comprehensive tally of 168 Starred questions were effectively answered in the House, with oral responses provided for 115 questions and written answers for 53 questions laid on the Table. It is important to note that this session, spanning over several months, will resume on December 4, 2023, indicating a continuation of legislative proceedings and discussions in the future.
The Monsoon session proved relatively productive for the states, with some variations in legislative activities. Maharashtra held just 2 short-duration discussions, while Andhra Pradesh conducted 8. In terms of disruptions and deviations, Maharashtra lost 70 minutes compared to Andhra Pradesh’s 20 minutes. Although a few bills were passed without much discussion, all states maintained high legislative productivity. These observations indicate a successful session with a focus on key issues and minimal disruptions, reflecting the commitment of the state legislatures to address crucial matters effectively.
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