Parliament reconvenes for third session on Monday

The 16th Amendment to the Constitution that aims to return to MPs the authority to impeach judges, is likely to be tabled when Parliament goes into session on Monday after a two-month break.

The BNP, which boycotted the Jan 5 polls, has dubbed it a "ploy" to control the judiciary while main opposition Jatiya Party has said it will oppose the bill.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad will take part in the Business Advisory Committee meeting, chaired by the Speaker, at 4pm to decide how long the session will run.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury has told bdnews24.com that several bills may be pushed through during this session.

Law Minister Anisul Huq has already said that the 16th Amendment is likely to be passed in the third sitting.

Until Sunday, three bills were submitted to the Parliament Secretariat for presentation. These are – 'Bangladesh Hotel and Restaurant Bill-2014', 'Bangladesh Fuel and Electricity Research Council Bill-2014', and 'Bangladesh Atomic Energy Control (Amendment) Bill-2014'.

Four other bills are being considered by the relevant watchdog committees while another bill, submitted to the Parliament Secretariat in the last session, is waiting to be tabled.

The 10th Parliament started its journey on Jan 29 through the Jan 5 general election.

The budget for 2014-15 fiscal was passed in the second session that ended on July 3.

A Parliament session must be held within 60 days after the end of the previous session.

Raushon beats Khaleda

Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad has beaten her predecessor BNP chief Khaleda Zia in terms of presence in Parliament.

Raushon was present on 24 business days in the first two sessions.

Khaleda, opposition leader in the 9th Parliament, attended sessions for 10 days altogether out of 418 business days.

Prime Minister Hasina was present on 52 days in the two sessions while the number is 17 for Jatiya Party chief HM Ershad.