: “If only Saugata Roy could listen rather than comment on other factors,” said Nirmala Sitharaman.
Highlight
- Trinamool MP Saugata Roy’s comment caused outrage in parliament
- The TMC deputy was arguing against the bank regulation amendment bill
- He hinted that the nation’s economic situation increased the minister’s concerns.
New Delhi:
The personal comment from an opposition member directed at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which has now been deleted, sparked a protest in parliament today. Trinamool MP Saugata Roy should apologize for her comments, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said.
Saugata Roy was making a statement about the banking regulation amendment bill and arguing against it at Lok Sabha when he released a personal comment to Nirmala Sitharaman, implying that the nation’s economic situation had heightened his concerns. Several members objected to the comment that, according to President Om Birla, it would be removed.
The finance minister, in her defense of the bill, referred to the comment and said: “If only Saugata Roy could listen rather than comment on other factors.”
Several members of the ruling party accused Mr. Roy of insulting women.
“Commenting on personal dress … Being a high ranking member, what are you talking about? You should unconditionally apologize. It is an insult to women,” said Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
Roy said he did not believe he had said anything that was not parliamentary.
A total of 18 bills will be passed in the monsoon session of Parliament that began today amid coronavirus precautions, including Plexiglass dividers for MPs and masks.
This is the first session not only in the pandemic but also since the country saw its GDP at -24%, the worst drop in four decades.
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