Govt, Oppn end FDI standoff; LS debate on Dec 4, 5

The UPA and the BJP-led Opposition on Thursday ended the four-day-long stand-off over parliamentary vote on FDI in multi-brand retail. LS Speaker allows FDI debate | SP to vote against FDI in RS

The UPA and the BJP-led Opposition Thursday ended the four-day-long stand-off over parliamentary vote on FDI in multi-brand retail, allowing the Lok Sabha to pass the anti-money laundering bill but disruptions continued in the Rajya Sabha over promotion quota in the civil service.

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Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar announced her decision to admit the Opposition’s motion for an FDI debate under Rule 184 that entails voting.

"I thank you for allowing the motion and I assure you that now the House will run smoothly,” the leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj promised.

Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari arrived at a similar decision at a meeting with leaders of all parties soon after.

The Lok Sabha will debate the FDI on December 4 and 5. The dates for the Rajya Sabha are yet to be decided. The government doesn’t have the numbers in the Upper House and would have to rely heavily on its outside supporters, the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. Both have taken opposing positions on promotion quotas for Dalits and tribals and clashed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, forcing adjournment.

But, the Lok Sabha passed changes to the money-laundering law piloted by finance minister P Chidambaram. The minister said the amendments would help the Centre bring the anti-money laundering legislation on par with international standards and obviate some of the deficiencies in the present law experienced by the implementing agencies.