Finance Minister Arun Jaitley (PTI photo)
The winter session of Parliament beginning on Monday is expected to be heated with the government planning to push an ambitious economic agenda undeterred by resistance from a section of the opposition.
The much-delayed Insurance Bill seeking to allow more foreign capital is high on the government agenda along with the Goods and Service Tax Bill.
This is the second major session of the Narendra Modi-led government since it came to power in May and government managers have made it clear that crucial legislation will be put on fast track.
The winter session is taking place weeks after parties belonging to the erstwhile Janata 'Parivar' (family) came together on a common platform and have announced plans to have a joint strategy in both Houses of Parliament.
The parties including JD(U), RJD, JD-S, INLD and the Samajwadi Party have said that they would pool their resources in Parliament in order to be more effective. Together, these parties account for barely 15 seats in the Lok Sabha, but have 25 seats in the Rajya Sabha, where the government holds lesser strength.
The Congress, which is the largest opposition group in the Lok Sabha has also made it known that it could have reservations if the government brings amendments to various bills, including the one on land laws which was passed during the earlier UPA regime.
A meeting of Secretaries of various Ministries and Departments with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley earlier this week concluded that 39 bills may be ready for either introduction or consideration in this session being held from November 24 to December 23.