With sparks all set to fly in the Parliament over a range of issues, the Monsoon Session of the Parliament began on Monday.
About a dozen pending bills have been listed by the government for consideration and passage during the monsoon session.
Ahead of the session, PM Narendra Modi appealed opposition parties to help the government pass important bills during this session, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill that seeks to replace several central taxes and levies in 29 states. The bill remains a priority for the government, although Congress has not offered any firm assurance to government on this bill.
“GST is of national importance,” the PM said at an all-party meet convened by the government on Sunday.
“GST is of national importance. Issue is not which government gets credit. Important Bills, including GST will be taken up in the monsoon session and I hope for meaningful discussions and outcomes.”
He requested all parties to keep national interests above any other considerations.
“We represent both the people and parties and there is a need to keep national interests above anything else”.
The Congress has so far given no assurance on the GST, but said it will support bills based on merit. The party said it will take a stand after government gives it a “written draft” over concerns raised by the party.
The issue of recent protests in Kashmir is also expected to generate heat in Parliament.
“Various parties have given statements on Kashmir events which benefited the country. This has sent a right message and I thank all the parties for the same,” PM Modi said while praising political parties for speaking in “one voice” over the issue.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, demanded for a discussion in the Parliament on the tense situation in Kashmir. He condemned violence inflicted on the civilians in Kashmir, and questioned why Kashmir is still boiling even after 10 days of curfew. He argued that civilians in the state are frustrated due to excessive use of forces.
In response to question, Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley said the battle in the state is between separatists and the country, and that all the countrymen should rise above political differences for the nation.
Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after paying tributes to sitting member Dalpat Singh Paraste and six former MPs who died recently. Dalpat Singh Paraste was the Lok Sabha MP from Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
