The government is expected to clash with the Opposition over demonetisation in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, when two bills linked to the controversial move will be tabled for approval.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to speak on demonetisation for the first time in the House during the debate on the President’s speech. His silence on the issue had resulted in a near-washout of Parliament’s winter session late last year.
The two legislations – the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill and the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill – were brought in through ordinances in the aftermath of the cash ban.
There is a possibility, especially in the Rajya Sabha, that the Opposition may force the government to send the two bills to House panels for review.
A united Opposition attacked the government over the fallout of demonetisation and various other steps like surgical strikes and fund allocation for MNREGA, agriculture sector and Scheduled Castes on Monday.
Live updates
12:26 PM: “There are many here like me who were born after independence. While we did not have the priviledge to fight for the nation’s independence we try to live for the nation.” says Prime Minister Modi.
12:25 PM:” There is something very special about ‘Jan Shakti’. It is due to this ‘Jan Shakti’ that the son of a poor mother can become the Prime Minister of India,” says Prime Minister Modi.
12:23 PM: “We remember how democracy was under threat from 1975 to 1977, when opposition leaders were jailed, newspaper freedom curtailed,” says Prime Minister Modi.
12:20 PM: “How can someone see SEVA or any positive virtue in the word SCAM”, says Prime Minister Modi.
12:18 PM: Ruckus in the house again. Opposition MPs raise slogans.
12:16 PM: “The earthquake finally arrived yesterday. We had been hearing threats for a long time,” Prime Minister Modi’s jibe at the Rahul Gandhi while mentioning Monday’s earthquake in Uttarakhand.
12:15 PM: PM Narendra Modi speaks in Parliament, replies to President’s speech.
12:10 PM: Ruckus in Lok Sabha as Trinamool leaders raise slogans. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rejects adjournment plea.
12 Noon: Question hour ends.
11:00 AM: Lok Sabha session begins with question hour.
10:50 AM: Kerala MPs are staging a protest demanding sufficient food allocation to Kerala.
10:45 AM: TMC MPs protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue inside Parliament House complex for electoral reform and state-funding of elections.
Source: HindustanTimes