Parliament standoff likely over Oppn demand for debate on MHA

Animesh Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 4
In what could lead to a stand-off between the BJP-led NDA and the opposition INDIA bloc, the demand of the Congress-led alliance for a discussion on the demands for grants for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is yet to be taken up in the Rajya Sabha, despite a letter having been sent to chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar in this regard.

Escalation in J&K attacks

• The Opposition had sought a discussion on the Home Ministry in the backdrop of escalation in cross-border attacks in J&K
• It also wanted to discuss the overall internal security scenario in the country, including the prevailing situation in Manipur

Sources indicated that the Opposition’s request may not be taken up by the government, while on the other hand, a discussion on the demands for grants for the Ministry of Cooperation, also held by Home Minister Amit Shah, is expected to be taken up on August 5 in the Upper House.
The Opposition had sought a discussion on the Home Ministry in the backdrop of escalation in cross-border attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Jammu division. It also wanted to discuss the overall internal security scenario in the country, including the prevailing situation in Manipur.
Incidentally, discussions on other key ministries like Defence and External Affairs, too, have not been held in either of the Houses during the ongoing Budget session. The INDIA bloc had written to Dhankhar for a discussion on the demands for grants for the Ministry of Home Affairs and it had found support from the Trinamool Congress), DMK, Samajwadi Party, NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Aam Aadmi Party. While the Lok Sabha has held discussions on demands for grants for the ministries of Health, Education and Railways, the Rajya Sabha has held discussions on the functioning of the Agriculture and Housing and Urban Affairs ministries.
On August 5, discussions are expected to be held on the functioning of the ministries of New and Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Cooperation in the Rajya Sabha.
Since the Parliamentary Committee on Home Affairs is a Rajya Sabha panel, the INDIA bloc was seeking a discussion on its functioning in the Upper House. Normally, during a Budget session, after a discussion on the Union Budget, the demands for grants of some key ministries like Home, Defence, External Affairs, Agriculture and Railways are taken up for discussion. After this, during a break between the session, these demands are sent to the respective parliamentary standing committees, where generally more funds are sought for these departments. After the break, these demands are then guillotined with the Finance Bill for passage, thus leading to the passing of the Union Budget.
However, as parliamentary standing committees are yet to be formed, with the 18th LS having just been convened, these demands for grants will be guillotined this week, and the Union Budget is expected to be passed on August 6.