BackSecond half of budget session begins today
As the second half of the budget session begins, opposition parties are likely to corner the government over the recent public sector bank frauds
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New Delhi: As the second half of the budget session begins on Monday, opposition parties are likely to corner the government over the recent public sector bank frauds. The session also comes after the Bharataiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) increased its hold in the northeastern states of Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, where results were announced over the weekend.
The second half of the session will be held until 6 April. The first half of the budget session was held from 29 January to 9 February and saw the annual budget being presented on 1 February. This session will take up discussion on budget-related demands for grants for various ministries.
In the last month, the Central Bureau of Investigation has taken up investigation on several banking frauds, including the over Rs12,000 crore fraud at the Punjab National Bank. In a bid to counter opposition parties’ attack, the central government is planning to introduce the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, which will grant powers to the government to attach assets of persons declared fugitive and also include benami assets.
Along with banking scams, the issues of increased atrocities, unemployment, agricultural crisis and the current economic situation are also likely to be raised. Opposition parties led by the Congress are likely to plan joint strategy in Parliament.
“We will coordinate with other opposition parties to expose this BJP government that has not delivered on their promises," Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien said.
The other bills listed for introduction and passing include the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2017, The Specific Relief (Amendment) Bill, 2017, and The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in the Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha, the government has listed The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2017, and The State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Bill, 2017.
PTI contributed to this story.
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