JS New Year Session Begins Today

The 11th session of the 11th Parliament starts today at 4:00 p.m. with Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury as Speaker in the Chair.

It will be the first session of the New Year, where the President is expected to make a speech approved by the Cabinet, reports media.

As per tradition, the President shall address the House at the first day of the session of the Parliament next year in the English New Year.

Parliament secretariat sources said that the President would portray the government’s various development activities through the speech.

Usually, the session is going to be a long one when the members have a chance to comment on a thank-you motion to the President's address. But, this time, it would be shorter due to the current wave of coronavirus pandemics, they added, adding that representatives with a negative coronavirus record were invited to attend the conference.

Sources said that this session could last 10 to 12 working days. In addition to the general debate, certain bills will also be passed during the session.

According to the Constitution, there can be a maximum gap of 60 days between the conclusion of the session and the beginning of the next session.

The last session of the 11th parliament was prorogued on November 19. That was a special session arranged to mark Mujib Year, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The participation of some 70 to 80 legislators during each of the last four sessions of 2020 was assured in order to avoid the possibility of transmission.

It is known that this time, too, the same system will be adopted. Before attending the workshop, the Business Advisory Committee, chaired by the Speaker, will hold a meeting to decide the length of the session.

Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina will also attend the meeting, among others.