Amidst the parliamentary deadlock for the sixth day running, the government and the Opposition reached an understanding on Monday to clear vital financial business on Tuesday. Accordingly, the finance Bill, the appropriations Bill, the railway budget and the demands for grants will be passed in the Lok Sabha after 12 noon, preceded by a walk-out by the Opposition BJP.
Sources said the deal includes an assurance by the government to the opposition that it would not try clearing any other legislative business.
The government had planned the passage of the finance bill for May 6. However, parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath had to reach out to leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj last night after a sudden realisation by the government that the new taxation provisions had to be notified within 75 days of the presentation of the Budget. She offered her help to overcome any possible constitutional crisis, but pointed out to him that the matter concerned all parties and not just the BJP. Therefore, it would be better if speaker Meira convened a meeting of an all-party meeting. This meeting took place in the speaker’s chamber immediately after the House was adjourned following a disruption of proceedings during question hour.
The speaker told floor leaders that the deadline for passing the finance bill would expire on May 14. Unless it is passed by May 14, the Customs and Excise Department will cease collecting taxes. If the bill is passed by the Lok Sabha on April 30 and it comes to the Rajya Sabha on May 1, the Rajya Sabha can either return it after debate or it is deemed to have been returned in 14 days, i.e. May 14. If delayed by the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha may not be able to return it within 14 days. As it is, the current session is scheduled to get over on May 10. With time running out, the government has to get it passed by the Lok Sabha tomorrow, i.e. April 30.
Sources in the government said Kamal Nath told the BJP that a blockade of the finance bill meant an early election. He sought to know if that was what they were pitching in for. It was then that the BJP agreed to come around.
Sources in the BJP said categorically that there would be no change in the party position vis-a-vis its two demands that the Prime Minister resign over the coal scam and JPC chairman PC Chacko withdraw his draft report on the issues relating to the pricing and allocation of spectrum. However, the sources said the BJP could review its strategy if law minister Ashwani Kumar had to put in his papers due to developments in the apex court on Tuesday. BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said Swaraj will speak during the debate on the finance bill and state the reasons for her party’s protest in the two Houses. When suggested that the BJP was allowing the government a walk-over instead of cornering it by blocking the financial business, Javadekar said: ?We are a responsible opposition and if these bills are not passed, there will be a constitutional crisis. After their passage, our agitation will continue.?
Setting the stage for clearing the important business in the lower house, Kamal Nath told reporters, ?I appeal to the Opposition to let the House function.?
The limited truce between the two sides promptly gave currency to the speculation that the government may opt for an end to the session once the four bills were cleared. However, it did not make sense, given the fact that the government would still try passing some bills, which are expected to bolster the prospects of the UPA in the next Lok Sabha polls. High on the Congress priority list are the food security bill and the land acquisition bill.