Opposition readying to gift stormy budget session to government

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties are likely to kick up a political row when the budget session of Parliament begins next Tuesday, as they are wary that the central government would announce sops in the budget with an eye on the upcoming state polls.

As a build-up, the Congress has objected to the reported move of the Centre to introduce a legislation in the form of a money bill to replace the ordinance issued to provide legal backing for extinguishing the Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes that were withdrawn. The party insisted that the proposed legislation should be “thoroughly debated” in both Houses of Parliament.

As per rules, a money bill need not be discussed or voted on in the Rajya Sabha and it would be deemed as passed within two weeks after it is introduced in the Rajya Sabha, even if the House does not allow its passage.

UP CM Akhilesh Yadav’s letter to the prime minister, opposing the presentation of the Union budget before the assembly polls, is also being seen by the Opposition camp as a measure meant to provide political ammunition for the same purpose.

Some Opposition members are learnt to be in the process of sending notices to presiding officers raising objections to presentation of the budget as well as on the issue of money bill to replace the ordinance. The fact that the PM did not acceded to the Opposition’s demand to come to the House to discuss the currency recall in the last session is likely to be used by parties to rake up the issue afresh.

Going by the Opposition mood, the budget presentation, on February 1, may not be a smooth affair and the finance minister may have to brave protests from the Opposition.

On the reported government plan to introduce a money bill, AICC spokesperson Kapil Sibal said, “it may be technically be a money bill. But if this government actually believes in any element of accountability and transparency, it should allow it be debated and voted upon in the Rajya Sabha.”