3rd parliamentary session tomorrow with 5 bills likely to be tabled

Highlights

• Parliamentary standing committees to be formed
• At least five bills to be tabled
• Opposition to raise gas, power shortages and public grievances

The third session of the 13th National Parliament is set to begin tomorrow (27 August) from 3pm, with lawmakers expected to take up several politically and nationally significant issues.

Chief Whip of the ruling party Nurul Islam Moni told The Business Standard today (26 August) that the session would be brief.

"Several important bills are expected to be passed, while parliamentary standing committees will also be formed."

He also said the government would discuss any major issues raised by the opposition in the House.

Likely to be brief

The session is expected to be short, according to officials at the Parliament Secretariat.

A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee will be held at 2pm tomorrow to determine the duration and agenda of the session.

Sources at the Parliament Secretariat said the session could continue until 12 September.
The third session was summoned on 11 August to meet the constitutional requirement that the gap between two parliamentary sessions cannot exceed 60 days.

The second session ended on 15 July, meaning the next session had to begin by 11 September.

The session is being convened earlier as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to travel to the United States on 21 September to attend a UN conference, the sources said.

5 bills likely to be tabled

Three bills - the latest National Human Rights Commission Act, the Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Redress Act, and the Transfer of Property (Amendment) Act - have been submitted to the Parliament Secretariat for tabling, sources said.

Two more bills are expected to be submitted soon: the draft Bank Resolution (Amendment) Act, which has already been approved by the Cabinet, and the Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act.

The SRB bill seeks to replace the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) with a new specialised force under the police.

The bills may be passed during the current session after being tabled.
Ahead of the House session, a meeting of the BNP's parliamentary party is scheduled for 11am tomorrow.

Opposition to highlight public concerns

Opposition lawmakers are expected to strongly raise issues affecting the public, including the law and order situation and shortages of gas and electricity.

They may also raise concerns over alleged partisan appointments to various government administrative agencies, according to party sources.

Tightened security 

Security has been tightened around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and adjoining areas ahead of the session.

The authorities have also banned all meetings, rallies, processions and demonstrations in the area to maintain public order.

According to relevant sources, special restrictions have been imposed around the Parliament complex and adjacent areas to ensure the smooth conduct of the session.
The restrictions include strict controls on public gatherings and the carrying of weapons or explosives.

The directives took effect since the day started (26 August) and will remain in force until the conclusion of the session.