The Opposition’s demand for separate debates and voting on FDI in retail and related amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) was on Tuesday opposed by the Centre and rejected by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.
Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha made the demand for separate discussion and voting, while CPM leaders Basudeb Acharia and Gurudas Dasgupta supported it.
In her ruling, the Speaker said the debate on FDI and FEMA would be held together, after which voting would be conducted separately on Wednesday.
Citing a rule, Sinha said debate and voting on FDI in retail under Rule 184 should not be clubbed with the one regarding modifications to the FEMA notifications issued by the RBI, in October. “Doing so (clubbing the two) is not proper,” Sinha reiterated demanding separate debate and voting.
The notification was tabled on November 30 and the 30-day period won’t end even on December 20, the last day of the current Winter Session.
“The FEMA issue can be carried forward and discussed in the Budget or even the Monsoon Session,” Sinha pointed out.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath also opposed the demand saying the two issues were related and hence clubbed.
“One subject cannot be discussed in three-four forms. Amendments can be moved even today if any member wants. I don’t know why there is confusion and hesitation. This (FEMA) also will be voted upon,” he added.