Ahead of a Budget session that is expected to be stormy, both President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for “smooth and constructive conduct” of business in Parliament.
Addressing a joint sitting of the House, Mukherjee reminded lawmakers that Parliament reflects the “supreme will of the people” and “democratic temper calls for debate and discussion, and not disruption or obstruction”. “I urge all Members of Parliament to discharge their solemn responsibilities in a spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation,” he said. The President reminded lawmakers of “important responsibilities” while referring to India as a “haven of stability in an increasingly turbulent (global) economy”. He highlighted the rise in GDP growth and the decrease in inflation, as well as the fiscal and current account deficits, and the “highest ever” foreign exchange reserves in 2015. However, there was no mention of the likely growth rate, raising doubts among economy watchers, especially as the President’s addresses in previous years had made explicit references to the growth rate.
There was also no mention of the export decline for 14 straight months, continuous rupee depreciation, rural distress and high pulses and edible oil prices. Earlier, speaking to reporters outside the House, Modi called for “constructive debates” and hoped the Budget session would be “fruitful”, as “the eyes of 125 crore countrymen were focused on Parliament, the Rail Budget and the General Budget.”
Both the President and the Prime Minister’s remarks come at a time when the Opposition is gearing up to target the Centre on issues such as the Rohith Vemula suicide, JNU unrest, the Pathankot attack and the Haryana Jat quota issue.
With loads of business lined up, including 16 pending or stalled Bills, such as on GST, the government is hoping for consensus for smooth running of the House.