Oppn to raise Delhi riots, CAA

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 1

The 2020 Budget session will resume tomorrow and if the mood of the Opposition is any indication, the Narendra Modi government may face a lot of heat in Parliament over the next five weeks. Parliament was adjourned for a break on February 11. A lot has transpired since then. Apart from BJP’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of AAP in Delhi, the national capital has seen its worst communal riots in the past more than three decades.

The riots and the response of the government, in particular that of the Home Ministry headed by Amit Shah, and the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests, including those in Meghalaya, are among the issues expected to rock both Houses besides issues related to the state of economy and joblessness.

The Opposition will strongly raise Delhi riots and demand Shah’s resignation over alleged police lapses, sources said. The Congress and other parties are expected to submit adjournment motion notices in both Houses, demanding a debate on the Delhi riots and anti-CAA protests, they said.

Questions will be raised on the shape of economy, especially in the light of GDP figures falling for the seventh consecutive quarter. Opposition leaders say the GDP growth will be lower if expenditure on defence, public administration and other services is taken into account.

The ruling side too is preparing to take the criticism “head on with facts and figures”, including the role of its “rivals” in the unprecedented violence in Delhi. “Just wait and watch”, a member of the ruling dispensation said in response to mounting criticism over the government failure to maintain law and order, alleging a “nexus between rioters and a section of police officials”.

Already, a Congress delegation has petitioned President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking Shah’s resignation over alleged “abdication of duty” during the communal violence in Delhi. The Budget session will last till April 3.

Important Bills listed

• Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to introduce Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020, to amend Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to move Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Bill, 2020, to provide for resolution of disputed tax
• Mines & Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi to move Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020, to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957, and Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015