Civil society organisations to organise ‘Janata Parliament’

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 13

A number of civil society organisations and prominent citizens have joined hands to organise a virtual ‘Janata Parliament’ (Peoples’ Parliament) here to discuss and bring to focus the shortcomings of policies and decisions of the Union government which were taken during the period of national lockdown.

The event will be of six days, starting August 16.

Organisers of the event informed on Thursday that it is the initiative of civil society groups to fill in the alleged void of legislative scrutiny of the public related issues by Parliament and its committees during the period of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Budget Session of Parliament was curtailed due to the sudden imposition of the lockdown and since then Parliament has not been in session,” a member of the team organising the event said.

“The Monsoon Session of Parliament, ordinarily scheduled to begin in the last week of July is not likely to be convened soon,” he added.

The Janata Parliament will discuss 10 thematic sessions on health, food security and nutrition, education, environment and agriculture.

Economy, industry labour and employment, technology and surveillance, impact on vulnerable communities and civil liberties, laws and governance will be the other issues.

People’s Union for Civil Liberties, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, Maadhyam, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan , Right to Education Campaign, Vikalp Sangam and All India Kisan Sabha are some of the organisations taking part in the event.