Missile Muscle for GST
Many Opposition MPs had a different take on a unique exhibition in the Parliament complex this week, which showcased the Brahmos missile, Arjun battle tank, multi-barrel rocket launcher Pinaka and other weapons. Some MPs quipped that it looked like as if the government had got tanks and missiles inside Parliament to threaten the Opposition into supporting the GST Bill, which was passed by a 100 per cent majority in the Upper House.
All for Seats
The new HRD minister is the most sought after in Parliament these days. Not without reason. Almost every MP who meets Prakash Javadekar requests him to increase the seats allotted to MPs’ wards in Kendriya Vidyalayas. Some want it to be raised to 15, some want 25 seats. Javadekar has assured all that he will consider their requests.
Simply Put
Back in Parliament after a hiatus, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram got a rousing welcome with his opening speech in Rajya Sabha on the GST Bill. The appreciation came even from reporters who congratulated him for simplifying the entire Constitutional Amendment Bill. Chidambaram, however, quipped that people—including the reporters—would be confused again after reading newspapers the next day.
In the Red
The CPI(M) was left red-faced after Students’ Federation of India in Tripura accidentally distributed pens with a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on them. When CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury asked for a pen during a recent press conference, he was seen double-checking it before using it.