NEW DELHI: Amid the logjam in Parliament, the government is hopeful of a breakthrough next week
with the NDA floor managers readying measures to “help the Opposition climb down” from its disruptive strategy.
With PM Narendra Modi slated to attend the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the government is hopeful of normalcy in Parliament soon to push the legislative agenda, including the three enabling bills for rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST), on December 2-3.
While Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ananth Kumar reached out to the Congress and Trinamool Congress on Wednesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh will meet Opposition leaders on Thursday in a bid to break the deadlock.
While the Opposition is sticking to its demand for discussion on demonetisation under Rule 56, which entails voting in the House along with adjournment of regular business, the government, sources said, could agree to a compromise suggested by Biju Janata Dal Lok Sabha floor leader Bhartruhari Mahtab for debate under Rule 184.
His formula will conclude with voting but without adjournment of the agenda. With the Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal coming on record to support demonetisation on the floor of the Lok Sabha,
government sources said the Opposition would be given “an escape route” from their disruptive strategy.
“Barring TMC, BSP and AAP, other parties have sent feelers that they want the government to concede to a few of their demands to allow Parliament to function. With the PM coming to the RS, some compromise formula will be found,” the sources said.
The government is keen to pass the three enabling bills for GST — Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Bill, Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Bill, and Goods and Services (Compensation
for loss of revenue) Bill — with discussion in the House.
“These three bills will be listed in the agenda of the two Houses on December 2-3. By then we are hopeful of normalcy in Parliament,” the sources stated.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed ruckus even while Speaker Sumitra Mahajan sought to end the deadlock by asking leaders of parties to state their views on the issue of demonetisation.
But the Opposition stuck to its demands even as Mahtab suggested discussions under Rule 184. Opposition MPs had brought placards into the Well of the House with slogans to summon the Prime Minister to the Lok Sabha. But they were apparently surprised to find Modi in the House.