Govt may agree to Oppn’s demand on loan waiver debate
THE OPPOSITION, WHICH HAS MET THE GOVERNOR FOR A DEBATE ON LOAN WAIVER, MAY USE ITS MAJORITY IN THE UPPER HOUSE TO ENSURE AT LEAST ONE DAY IS RESERVED FOR THE DISCUSSION
Lack a majority in the upper house, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government may be forced to agree to a discussion on the agrarian crisis during the special session of state legislature from May 20 and 22.
The Opposition has been demanding a special session to discuss a loan waiver for farmers.
The government has proposed a special GST session to pass state-related laws as mandated by the Centre.
During a meeting of the business advisory committee of the legislature on April 29, the Opposition demanded a debate on farmers’ issues at the GST session.
The government refused to accept the demand, saying that the session was meant only for GST.
The Opposition threatened to make it difficult for the government to pass GST.
The Opposition then met the governor on May 2 to push for the demand. The Opposition is now likely to throw its weight around using its majority in the upper house to ensure at least one day is reserved for the debate.
“It is a financial bill and will have to be first passed in the Assembly before it is tabled in the council. If the council does not pass it, it will be deemed to have been passed only after 14 days. But such a situation may be embarrassing for the govern ment and will also delay the entire process. To avoid the peculiar situation, the govern ment may accept the debate,” said an official from the state legislature.
Ruling partner Shiv Sena too, has demanded to discuss the agrarian crisis in the specia session.
“We have demanded a specia session on a loan waiver. It wil be part of our strategy to decide upon discussion on the issue during the three-day session,” said Radhakrishna Vikhe-patil leader of Opposition in the state Assembly.
At least eight states — includ ing Bihar, Madhya Pradesh Chhatisgad, Telangana, Hary ana — have passed the state GST bills in the past four weeks.