The central government will be making a final effort to push the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and the Triple Talaq Bill today in the crucial session of the Rajya Sabha. Both the bills have been facing strong resistance from the Opposition (Congress, Shiv Sena, Janta Dal (United)) and some of BJP's own allies which may lead it to lapse if the Upper House (Lok Sabha) does not pass them on the last day of the Budget session.

 

According to the Rajya Sabha Legislative Procedure, a bill pending in the Upper House which has not been passed by Lok Sabha does not lapse on the dissolution of the Lower House. But a bill which is passed by Lok Sabha and is pending in Rajya Sabha lapses on the dissolution of Lok Sabha.

 

Both the bills were introduced in Lok Sabha and passed and sent to Rajya Sabha. With the general elections coming up, the bills will have to clear Lok Sabha again once a new Lower House is elected.

 

Besides the two bills, the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Performance Audit on 'Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force', is also on the list. It is likely to have the CAG's findings on the Rafale deal, which has been the bone of contention between the Congress and BJP.

 

While an ordinance is currently in force outlawing triple talaq, the government has the option of repromulgation if the bill is not passed this session. Meanwhile, the Congress has promised that it would scrap the bill if it is voted to power.