E-Paper
Demonetisation debate likely in Lok Sabha today, could break Parliament logjam
After days of disruption over demonetisation, the Lok Sabha on Monday could debate the issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has admitted a motion for a debate under a rule that does not entail voting on the motion.
After days of disruption over demonetisation, the Lok Sabha on Monday could debate the issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has admitted a motion for a debate under a rule that does not entail voting on the motion.
The list of business for December 5 includes a discussion under Rule 193 on notices given by lawmakers Bhartruhari Mahtab of the Biju Janata Dal and AP Jithender Reddy of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti. Both have sought a discussion of “demonetisation of currency notes to weed out black money.”
The discussion if it goes through could break the logjam in both houses of Parliament which first met on November 16 for the winter session but have seen little business owing to the stand-off between the government and the opposition over demonetisation and its fallout. With the exception of passing the bill to amend the Income Tax Act, which was done despite opposition protests, the Lower House has seen a virtual washout.
As many as 20 MPs – mostly from the ruling NDA – had given notice under Rule 193 seeking a debate on the notes ban.
While opposition MPs have been demanding that they be allowed to move an adjournment motion government has been pressing for debate under a rule which does not entail voting and does not involve bringing a formal motion.
Under Lok Sabha’s Rule 193, any member who wants to discuss a “matter of urgent public importance” can give notice in writing to the Secretary-General specifying clearly and precisely the matter to be raised under certain conditions.
Ahead of the start of the day’s proceedings, the opposition Congress is scheduled to meet at 10:30 to fine tune its strategy in the Lok Sabha.
Monday’s proceedings will also start against the backdrop of the politically delicate situation in Tamil Nadu following Jayalalithaa cardiac arrest Sunday night.
Also read | Are opposition parties headed for a self-goal in Parliament?
