Why can’t the opposition discuss any subject of their own free will?
The monsoon session of Parliament has started from 18th July. However, no legal issue has been discussed in the session so far. There has been a lot of uproar in both the Houses of Parliament after many essential food items were brought under the purview of GST. There is a standoff between the government and the opposition in both the houses of the Parliament over this. Many leaders have alleged that the government is running away from discussions on important subjects. Independent Rajya Sabha member Kapil Sibal said that why the opposition cannot discuss any subject of its own free will?
In the backdrop of the ongoing deadlock in both the Houses of Parliament, Sibal said one day in a week should be fixed when opposition members can discuss any subject and the government should not have any right to stop it. Sibal tweeted, ‘Stack going on in Parliament. There should be a change in the rules for the beginning of parliamentary business. One day in a week should be fixed when the opposition can discuss any topic of their choice. The Center should not have any right to do this veto. Sibal said that no bill should be passed without discussion. The opposition should also cooperate on this.
The Congress has also accused the government of running away from discussions on important subjects. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh had said, in the Rajya Sabha, the Congress-led opposition had demanded an immediate debate on inflation and GST imposed on essential food items. But the government refused to discuss it. With this the proceedings of the house were adjourned. Sibal’s tweet has once again brought the issue of discussion on any subject of the opposition’s will in the headlines. It remains to be seen how the government reacts to this. PLC/GT
