‘NO ROLL-BACK OF DEMONETISATION’
Winter Session of the Parliament is scheduled to begin from Nov 16
NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called a parliamentary party executive meeting in New Delhi on Monday to formulate their strategy ahead of the crucial Winter Session of the Parliament. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. BJP president Amit Shah also attended the meet.
While addressing the party parliamentarians, PM Modi reportedly asserted that there is no question on rolling back the demonetisation of currency. Modi further added that common people of the nation have shown support to the bold decision taken by government. Modi further added that that the government should not buckle under Opposition pressure. Modi was firm that the inconvenience caused to the common man would not last more than a few days.
While Modi clarified the stand of party to be taken on the issue of currency demonetisation, his lieutenant Amit Shah rolled out the plan of action for the upcoming parliamentary session. According to sources, Shah gave the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPS of the party a green signal to launch a counter-attack.
Instead of tackling the barrage of questions to be thrown at them by Opposition, the BJP chief has instructed the parliamentarians to launch an aggressive attack on the Opposition over issues ranging from One Rank One Pension (OROP), surgical strikes against Pakistan and crackdown on black money via demonetising the currency.
The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin from November 16. BJP aims to pass a number of key legislations in both the Houses related to the implementation of Goods & Service Tax (GST). A productive session of Parliament is essential for the gov- ernment to meet their target of GST roll-out. The new tax system is targeted to be enforced in the nation from April 1, 2017.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) has submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha, seeking a complete discussion on the issue of currency demonetisation. Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad has issued a notice to Upper House Chair Dr Hamid Ansari, seeking a debate on the ongoing unrest in Kashmir.
Modi got support from his own partymen at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting which discussed the steps taken by him to curb corruption and black money.
The Prime Minister told the NDA allies that there was no need to be defensive on demonetisation as there is widespread support for the move and people are ready to face hardships for larger gains. He also urged the NDA allies to go to the public and explain its benefits in the long run in curbing corruption and black money.
He told the parties that the credit for the move does not go to him personally but to all parties who have stood by the government, adding he will continue to take the drive forward as the steps taken by him have given hope to people that things will improve.
At the NDA meet, after the introductory remarks by the Prime Minister, Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan congratulated him on the “bold and decisive” step to demonetise high denomination currency notes. He said it will help reduce the rich-poor divide in the country. Paswan was followed by all other allies who supported the move and lauded the PM for the step, besides the surgical strikes across the LOC. .
The Winter session of Parliament is usually held in the third or fourth week of November. An early Winter session will help get the Central GST and Integrated GST legislations passed and give the Finance Ministry enough time to implement the single tax regime.
Sources in the government said besides legislations relating to GST, nearly 15 new bills are likely to be introduced. The new regime will subsume excise, service tax and other local levies. The Consumer Protection Bill, 2015 which is replacing the 1986 Act is to be put on dias for consideration. It provides for redressal of consumer complaints, recall of goods, action against misleading advertisements, and product liability claims.