India: Uncertainty over Parliament session extension from Dec 27

New Delhi, Dec 20 (PTI) Uncertainty prevailed over extension of Parliament's Winter Session from December 27 to facilitate the passage of the Lokpal (Ombudsman) Bill and some other key legislations with the proposal coming under stiff opposition from some parties and MPs. Fresh moves are afoot to have an extra sitting on December 23 to complete the task as MPs are said to be averse to an extension beyond Christmas. Parliament was originally scheduled to conclude its winter session on December 22 and the extension was planned to clear the Lokpal bill, the whistle blowers bill and the Judicial Accountability bill. Hours after announcing that the session was being extended for three days from December 27, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that the plan could undergo review tomorrow. He said ever since the Business Advisory Committee of the Lok Sabha took the decision, there have been demands from individual parties and MPs that the extension needed to be cancelled. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had sounded BJP Parliamentary Party leader L K Advani on the move. The Opposition parties had sought discussion on the three key legislations that are part of the government's strategy to tackle corruption. The government has been racing against time to firm up the anti-graft Bill in view of the looming threat of Anna Hazare going on hunger strike from December 27 if Parliament fails to pass a strong Lokpal Bill. PTI