Updated: September 15, 2020 5:15:24 am
Citing a heavy legislative agenda, the government avoided attempts by the opposition to raise issues such as the India-China border dispute and the economic crisis on the first day of the 18-day parliament session on Monday.
Congressional leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also tried to discuss The Indian Express’ investigative report on a Shenzen-based tech company with ties to the Chinese government that monitors more than 10,000 Indian individuals and organizations at its base. data group on “foreign targets”, but chairman Om Birla said the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) would meet on Tuesday to set a time to discuss “sensitive issues.”
Sources said Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to make a statement on the India-China border issue on Tuesday, if the BAC decides to place it.
In his usual remarks before the start of the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in what was seen by the opposition as a preventive measure, called on Parliament to send a unanimous message that the whole country supports its Armed Forces.
“This Parliament, in particular this session, has a special responsibility … when our brave soldiers are on the border … The faith with which they stand, determined to protect the homeland, Parliament and all its members, will send a message in a unanimous voice, spirit and determination that the country supports them, ”he said.
“All Parliament stands with the brave soldiers with one voice. I believe that Parliament and all its honorable members will send a very strong message, ”he said.
When the session began, Chowdhury tried to raise the issue of Chinese border aggression twice, but Lok Sabha chairman Om Birla said the BAC would meet on Tuesday to set a time to discuss the issue. Chowdhury also tried to reference The Indian Express’s report on “hybrid warfare.”
“The BAC will discuss and set a time to discuss sensitive issues. We will discuss sensitive issues with sensitivity, ”Birla replied.
Speaking to The Indian Express later, Chowdhury said he was “shocked” that he was not allowed to submit the report. “It is a matter of great concern. I was surprised that he was not allowed to utter a single word on the subject. The issue is being discussed by the media and the public. Why can’t Parliament discuss it? Is it isolated from the mainstream? Why is the government avoiding an argument? ” he said.
He said he wanted the government to offer a debate on the issue of the India-China border as there have been “mixed reports”. “People in this country are kept in the dark about what exactly is happening on the India-China border. There have been misleading reports and people have a right to know the truth. In order to give a clear picture to the nation, the government should come out and offer a threadbare discussion on development. It is a matter of national security, ”he said.
“The Congress party also supports the soldiers and the risk they have taken to protect the nation. We are behind the soldiers. We want to support the government, but the government cannot run away from discussions, ”he said.
During zero hour of 30 minutes, the treasury banks avoided problems such as the border line between India and China, unemployment, the migration crisis and the economic slowdown. Supriya Sule of NCP was the only MP who raised the problem of unemployment and the economic crisis. Urging the Center to help Maharashtra, he said: “On the first day, we could have discussed the state of the economy and unemployment. I don’t see that the Center talks much about them, ”he said.
The BJP MPs limited themselves to raising other issues. While Sanjay Seth talked about conversions in the Jharkhand tribal belts, Ravi Kishan talked about drug trafficking with reference to the film industry, and Jagdambika Pal talked about including the Bhojpuri, Rajasthani and Bhoti languages in the eighth program.
Meanwhile, the government introduced eight bills in Lok Sabha and passed two pending bills.
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay up to date with the latest headlines
For the latest news about India, download the Indian Express app.
.
