The storm over FDI in retail rocked Parliament for the third day in a row
Uproar over foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail and subsidy for domestic cooking gas continued to disturb parliamentary proceedings for the third consecutive day on Monday. The Opposition persisted with its demand for a discussion on FDI under a rule that entails voting.
In the Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress members rushed to the well, carrying placards demanding 24 subsidised LPG cylinders. BJP members were on their feet, shouting slogans demanding rollback of the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail. As the din persisted, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till noon. But the scene was no different when the House reassembled.
Amid noisy scenes, Human Resource Development Minister M.M. Pallam Raju went ahead with the introduction of the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2012. But the House could not transact any other business.
DMK members also trooped into the well, waving photocopies of newspaper clippings on statements made by the former CAG official, R. P. Singh, on the 2G scam.
As pandemonium continued, Girija Vyas, who was in the chair, adjourned the House for the day.
In the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition members created ruckus soon after the proceedings started.
BJP member M. Venkaiah Naidu asked Chairman M. Hamid Ansari to suspend question hour and allow a discussion on the FDI issue. When it was disallowed, the BJP and other Opposition members started shouting slogans, forcing adjournment for an hour.
When the House reassembled at noon, the situation was the same. BJP, BSP and Trinamool members raised slogans against the FDI decision.
The Samajwadi Party, which supports the ruling United Progressive Alliance from outside, raised the issue of reservation for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in promotions.
As his efforts to run the House proved futile, E.M.S. Natchiappan, who was in the chair, adjourned it for the day.
Earlier, both Houses paid homage to the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Keywords: FDI issue
I am not able to understand why we need Walmart and other foreign company in India. As an Indian I am asking myself, are we not capable to handle supply chain? Are we not capable to handle corruption done by the middle man? Are we not capable to develop warehouses which are of world class level? Why UPA govt. is so helpless that they found FDI is the final and only solution.
We have brilliant minds coming from IITs and IIMs but still we are in pathetic condition. At the end it shows the incapability of UPA govt. who has highly educated people but still incapable of leadership quality who can progress our country and common man.
The whole country is suffering with high inflation, corruption at all
levels and unscrupulous politicians.
Parliament functioning or stalled is of no concern to ordinary citizen.
It is better to start living like saints, unmindful of everything
around. Peace can be found within.
I heard some Ministers saying it is the prerogative of the ruling party
to decide what gets debated and how. This shows the fascist nature of
Congress party and the media says Modi is fascist. I would rather have a
non corrupt fascist leader at the helm than a corrupt fascist
establishment governing India
If I had to join the debate, I would just say that FDI won't help people who really need
their services such as the small towns and villages of India as their populations will
not support their huge operational costs. Providing cheaper goods to city dwellers
who are already earning TEN to HUNDRED times more than locals in small towns and
villagers, will only make the situation worse. As for the farmer getting a better deal,
they might be coerced into selling at a low rate by Foreign Investors and eventually
the investor and local middlemen will party together and FIX the lowest price to
benefit both of them. That's why you have hundreds of shops in ANY market in India and everything is PRICED the SAME. The business MAFIA hangs together as Profit and not society comes first. Lastly and most importantly, Unwanted RADIO ACTIVE food
from Japan and also the U.S and products banned in developed countries will find their way into our food supply system BIG TIME thanks to unscrupulous dealers
Without going to the merits or demerits of FDI in retail let the rule of the land prevail. If the government feels they have the required numbers let them put the bill to vote. The ultimate power rests on the elected representative of the country.
I totally agree with saurav, scheduling a days debate as the opposition demands will hurt less than indefinite non-functioning of the parliament.
UPA II should allow voting and make parliament function, however they
are still on trading to find who will back and who not. I hope by the
time they do this winter session is not completed.
Are we really live in the biggest democratic country? No work in parliament.
I or perhaps the people of India dont understand that in a democratic
country, a democratically elected government is trying to bypass the
very basic nature of democracy- debate. The most important thing is to
let parliament function, and it should the paramount priority for
ruling party to take every step to make it happen. If opposition is
demanding voting with debate, why government is not being agree on
this demand? This will definitely provide the way for smooth function
of house as well as the stance of all political parties on this vital
issue. Searching for the backstage solution is not appropriate as it
bypasses the vital plateform like parliament for debate. Hope
government will consider all these factors and will arrive on a
consensual point to reduce the wastage of resources and also to come
out of policy paralysis.
Why Congress party is afraid of VOTE on the Bill ? Let them not bully
the Country by dilly dallying on this issue. When they do not have the
requisite numbers and when there is dissent even amongst its so called
allies, why should they push this bill through ? Have they got any big
"INFLOW" into their kitty ?
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