‘Debate Soul of Parliament,’ Says PM as Government Braces for Winter Storm: 10 Developments
NEW DELHI: “Debate and dialogue are the soul of Parliament,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi a little before houses convene for the winter session, set to be another tussle of agendas between the government and the opposition.
Here are the latest developments in this story:
- The session begins today with a two-day special sitting to celebrate Constitution Day in a tribute to BR Ambedkar, widely regarded as the architect of the Indian constitution. PM Modi will intervene in the discussion in both Houses.
- “Our samvidhaan (Constitution) is a ray of hope. Hope means – H for harmony, O for opportunity, P for People’s participation, E for Equality,” said the PM, who has appealed to the opposition to allow Parliament to function this time, after several sessions that saw days of adjournments and little work.
- A united opposition has made it clear that its primary agenda in the winter session is to corner the government on what it calls “growing intolerance.” It wants a discussion on the issue to end with Parliament adopting a resolution.
- The government, which is focused on pushing crucial bills like the one on the key reform Goods and Services Tax, has said it is “ready to discuss all issues including that of the so-called intolerance though it falls in the domain of states.”
- But it is not expected to agree to a resolution, which could end up censuring it. “We have nothing to hide. We are ready for a debate on intolerance. The government has nothing to feel shy about it,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu.
- Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told NDTV on Wednesday evening that he is optimistic that the GST bill will be passed in this session. “Consensus can be built through discussion…numbers are with the GST bill, most parties support it,” Mr Jaitley told NDTV.
- Contradicting Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, Mr Jaitley said, “I have spoken to every Congress leader on GST in the last session. I have spoken in detail to leaders in Congress parliamentary party.”
- Hours earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said in Bangalore on Thursday that the government must reach out to the Opposition and address issues raised by it in its objections to the GST bill. “Do we want the GST? Are we ready to compromise on GST? Are we ready to talk on GST? Absolutely. Are we going to accept just being thrown aside, no,” he said.
- The GST bill has been blocked in Parliament by the Congress which has demanded key changes in it. The government needs the Congress’ support to push the bill through the Rajya Sabha or Upper House, where it is in a minority.
- The government wants to implement GST by April 2016, but the deadline may be missed if Parliament does not pass the bill in the winter session.
Read full article: NDTV
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