A “mood of reconciliation” was visible in Rajya Sabha while discussing the 122nd Amendment Bill to the Constitution to enable a GST regime. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, while moving the Bill for the House’s consideration, listed the efforts by his predecessors, which pleased the principal Opposition, Congress.
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram started his powerful ‘maiden’ speech, which eventually turned to be the talking point for other speakers too, by appreciating Jaitley’s “reconciliatory efforts.”
His political point that the subsequent legislations should be introduced as finance bills not as money bills was repeated by almost 80 per cent of the speakers who spoke after him.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh was seen talking to leaders and speakers of non-NDA parties, apparently in an effort to get support for Chidambaram’s demand for an assurance from Jaitley that the subsequent Bills will be financial legislations. The demand was supported by a host of parties and speakers including SP, BSP, CPI(M), JD(U), Trinamool Congress and the DMK.
In fact, Sitaram Yechury, CPI (M) Leader, said that Chidamabaram delivered better from the Opposition side.
“They (the Bills) must be debated and voted upon by both Houses of Parliament. We hope to get assurance from the Finance Minister. If these assurances are forthcoming, we will be able to support,” Chidambaram told reporters after his speech. When asked if it’s a new condition for the package, he said the Congress will support the Bill but wants an assurance from Jaitley on the issue.
The amendment moved by Jaitley came for criticism for the language used. Chidambaram and Yechury said the amendment does not make it clear where will the money collected by the Centre, if it is not going to the Consolidated Fund of India.
AIADMK leader A Navaneethakrishnan was the only speaker who opposed the Bill. While he started his speech thanking Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for the opportunity, members broke into laughter.
A member was counting whenever he took the Chief Minister’s name in his speech. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, who was sworn in for the third time recently, also gave some lighter moments by demanding extension of time as it was his maiden speech. The chair, however, denied it saying that the relaxation time for a maiden speech is not available for a three-time MP.
Former Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the discussion created history as the country is entering into a new path in terms of taxation.