Parliament session to commence from June one

New Delhi, May 23 (PTI) Quickly getting down to
business a day after being sworn in, Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh Saturday presided over the first meeting of his
Cabinet which decided to convene the first session of the 15th
Lok Sabha from June one to June nine.


The Cabinet decided a time-table for the Parliament
session which will have seven sittings, Union Minister P
Chidambaram told reporters here.


Indicating the government's eagerness to get on with
its work, Singh told the cabinet meeting that the UPA has made
a number of promises to the people and "we have promises to
keep", Chidambaram quoted the Prime Minister as saying.


As per the schedule finalised, the first two days will
be earmarked for the newly-elected members to take oath. The
Speaker's election will take place on June three and President
Pratibha Patil will address the joint sitting of both Houses
on June four.


Discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President
will be taken up on June five, eight and nine.


Chidambaram said the Rajya Sabha will also commence
its session on June four.

The government would soon recommend to the President
to convene the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sessions, he said.


After a short break, the next session will be convened
to pass the budget.


Replying to questions on the budget, Chidambaram said
"the Vote on Account (adopted by the previous government) is
till July 31. So we have to pass the budget by then," failing
which a short Vote on Account will have to be approved.


On June one when Lok Sabha begins its session, senior
most member Manikrao Gavit is likely to be made the pro-tem
Speaker who will, in turn, administer oath to all other
members, official sources said.


The first person to be administered oath will be
Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee and the second Leader of
Opposition L K Advani, they said.


Gavit has served the Lok Sabha for the longest period
of 27 years and eight months. PTI