Despite all apprehensions of a stormy Session, the government has listed several new Bills for introduction, including the Direct Taxs Code Bill, 2010 and the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2010 (to introduce a goods and services tax from April 2011) for the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The Bill for setting up a joint committee to regulate financial products falling under multiple jusridictions has also been listed along with the National Identification Authority of India Bill, the whistleblowers Bill, the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection to Persons Making the disclosure Bill, 2010. While the government has listed several controversial Bills–the Women?s Reservation Bill and and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill to name a few—in its list of business for the Session, prospects of smooth sailing have already been ruled out.

Relations between the government and the Opposition are at an all time low with the leaders of the Opposition in both Houses, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj, boycotting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh?s customary pre-session lunch in protest against CBI proceedings against the home minister of Gujarat Amit Shah.

The insurance Bill has not been listed nor has the land acquisition Bill found a place. ?There is an apprehension that agitations over price rise and 2G telecom scam would disrupt the Session. But, with the new development of the Opposition boycotting the Prime Minister?s customary pre -session lunch, the atmosphere has become even more vitiated,? said a source. Parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said all attempts would be made to conduct the business of both Houses in a spirit of co-operation. One Bill that may get a smooth sailing is the salary, allowances and pensions of members of Parliament Bill, which proposes to raise the salary of an MP from Rs 16,000 per month to Rs 80,001 per month?a rupee more than a government secretary.

Other Bills listed for business in the upcoming session include the judicial accountability and standards Bill, 2010, the mines and minerals (development and regulation) Bill, 2010, the biotechnology regulation Bill. How many of these Bills can actually be taken remains to be seen.