Kumardeep Banerjee
The government wants most of India to fly and be connected in the near future butthat will depend on what happens in parliament. The civil aviation ministry has introduced amendments to the Airports Economic Regulator Bill in parliament this March. It is pending approval and may be taken up in the monsoon session. It will, to an extent, shape the future of small city air travel in India. Most of the dividends the government seeks can be achieved in this parliament session which convenes after facing disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A lot of priority legislative workneeds to be achieved in this, ‘new normal’ session. The House speaker has indicated a nearly a month-long session beginning mid-July. That brings us to some of the pending legislative action. The airports’ bill amendments aim to bring larger (and more profitable) airports in a cluster with smaller (lessprofitable) airports. This cluster-based approach is likely to see the development of this crucial infrastructure under public-private partnership thereby making it economically feasible for smaller airports to grow. The aim is to ensure flight connectivity to far-flung areas, bringing more economic opportunities. It will also lead to the Airports Authority of India exiting some of the smaller airports and letting private players handle operations. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill is a second priority that can ensure financial security for aged parents. The government proposes that under appropriate circumstances maintenance tribunals can seek fixed monthly stipends for parents.
The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill plans to bring standardization of procedures and regulation over assisted-childbirth in the country. It proposes to set up a National Registry and a registration authority for all assisted-birth-related banks and clinics across the country, besides providing for a national board. Bills like The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Bill and The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill may see legislative action. In addition, ordinances such as The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Ordinance, The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance, The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, and The Tribunals Reforms (Rationalization and Conditions of Service) Ordinance will be a top priority for House approval. The session is likely to be stormy asthe government prepares to face opposition on issues such as freedom of speech debate, role of social media and its limitations in moderating such discussions, the Rafale deal and finally, Covid management. The last one might take a huge chunk of the parliamentary business (provided there are no mass walkouts) as there may be various fronts for the government to defend. The government may have to face questions related to the financial, sociological, health impacts of Covid-19 on citizens, apart from the hope for robust economic growth. The upcoming session will see disruptions outside Parliament House as farmers protesting against farm laws are likely to stage demonstrations. The significance of the session, however, remains in itsbeing a golden window for public debates on crucial issues of national importance. Five States including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat go to elections next year while elections in prestigious States such as West Bengal have just concluded. This timeline for a functional monsoon session in July would be crucial for many ‘out of Delhi’ lawmakers to re-energize their respective agendas in the capital. Many future regional political alliances can be formed keeping in mind the impending elections and in some ways, the shape of the alignments for 2024 may be in the offing. A resolution on a united fight against Covid-19 will be welcome.
(The writer is a policy analyst. The views expressed are personal.)
