Those 14 opposition MPs, who were suspended during the winter session and their cases were sent to the privilege committees, will be able to participate in the budget session starting from January 31. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said on Tuesday that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar have agreed to the government’s request regarding these MPs.
The respective privilege committees of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha had recommended that the suspension of the MPs be withdrawn after they expressed regret for their conduct during the winter session. A total of 146 opposition MPs were suspended in both the Houses. These included 100 Lok Sabha members and 46 Rajya Sabha members. Of these, the suspension of 132 MPs was for the winter session, but the cases of 14 MPs were sent to the privilege committees of both the houses.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha together had suspended 132 MPs for the remaining period of the winter session that ended on December 21 and sent the case of these 14 MPs to the concerned Privileges Committee. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Joshi told reporters on Tuesday that all The suspension will be withdrawn. On behalf of the government, we made a request to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and they have agreed.
However, he stressed that leaders of various parties who attended the all-party meeting before the session were told that they should abide by the decision that MPs should not carry placards or any similar material inside the chamber during the session. Should not be brought otherwise the Speaker will be forced to take action. The budget session will begin from Wednesday and will end on February 9.