Fresh FDI hurdle for govt in Houses

Opposition has already sharpened its knives for a frontal attack on chopper scam, and even the FDI ghost is set to haunt the government.

For the government, the budget session is set to be a stormy affair.

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Opposition has already sharpened its knives for a frontal attack on chopper scam, and even the FDI ghost is set to haunt the government.

Opposition parties plan to seek a vote in both Houses on the FEMA amendments that are essential to roll out the FDI policy.

A similar motion moved by Mamata’s Trinamool Congress was defeated in Lok Sabha in the winter session, but now it’s the Left parties which want corner the government on the issue.

A similar motion has been moved in Rajya Sabha too.

In the last session, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar had clubbed the voting on the FDI debate under rule 184 and the amendments to the FEMA regulations but had upheld the opposition’s right to move further amendments in future.

“Section 48 of the FEMA makes it absolutely clear that while the regulations lie before parliament for 30 days. It is the statutory right of a member to raise objections to any amendment. Therefore, we will move amendments in both houses,” said CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.

According to Lok Sabha officials, even if the government wins the FEMA vote again in parliament, still the opposition can move fresh amendments till the next monsoon session.