Oppn to target govt over Covid, inflation, farm stir in House
A DYSFUNCTIONAL HOUSE ADDS TO PREVAILING GLOOM, V-P NAIDU SAID IN MEET WITH OPPN LEADERS
The Centre’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic, price rise, the ongoing farmers’ agitation and implications of US troops pulling out of Afghanistan will be the focus of the Opposition strategy during the monsoon session of Parliament starting from Monday, representatives of various parties told Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu during a meeting on Saturday.
During the meeting, the Opposition members also underlined the need for more scrutiny of bills by parliamentary committees.
Responding to their suggestions, Naidu said though it is for the central government to take a view on referring bills to parliamentary committees, it may be “done to the extent possible”.
He also urged the ministers, particularly the parliamentary affairs minister, to reach out to leaders of various parties and apprise them of key bills pending for passage, said a person aware of the details, who did not wish to be named. “The chairperson said all issues can be discussed in the House, but none should seek to force their own position on the others,” the person added.
Naidu also called for upholding the spirit of cooperation in the House and said: “A dysfunctional Parliament adds to the prevailing gloom and hence all sections of the House should ensure a smooth and productive session as it offers an opportunity to address the concerns of the people affected by Covid-19.”
According to people aware of the details, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP, Derek O’brien had underscored the need for more scrutiny of bills by the Parliamentary committees.
“He pointed out that while 60% of the bills were sent for Parliamentary scrutiny during the UPA1, the number was 71% during UPA2. During the current dispensation, the percentages of bills referred to the committees was 25% (NDA1) and 11% (NDA2),” said a person privy to the meeting.
The TMC MP also tweeted that scrutiny of bills has “dropped drastically” and that the government should ensure discussions and
NEW DELHI:
calling attention motions are listed weekly and ensure rules and precedents are implemented.
Opposition MPS have been raising the issue of lack of scrutiny of bills by Parliamentary committees. The Opposition leaders also asked for taking up issues of “broader concerns” for discussion in the House.
“Leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge proposed discussion on the situation caused by Covid-19, including its impact on economy and employment, poverty, the possibility of a third wave and the government’s preparations for it, the ongoing farmers protest, China’s actions along the border, situation in Jammu and Kashmir and issues related to cooperative federalism,” said the person quoted above.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar suggested a discussion on the situation in Afghanistan and the implications of the withdrawal of US troops from the region.
Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Binoy Viswam said the Chairperson assured the Opposition members that issues raised by the smaller parties in particular will be allocated time.
The government on Friday said it is ready with facts and data to answer the questions that the Opposition will put forth during the upcoming monsoon session. “The government will respond to all the questions and issues that the Opposition raises...,” said a minister on condition of anonymity. Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi informed the meeting that the government has identified 29 bills, including six ordinances replacing bills and two items of financial business, for the session.
Among those present at the meeting were the newly appointed Leader of the House Piyush Goyal, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, among others.