November 29, 2016
Saugata Roy demands full-fledged discussion on Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 | FULL TRANSCRIPT
Madam, I want to refer to Rule 72, 74, 75 and Articles 117 and 274 of the Constitution of India. Madam, I am talking on the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016. Yesterday, at 2 pm, while there was din and turmoil in the House with Members protesting against demonetisation, the Finance Minister came surreptitiously and introduced the Bill. None of us had any idea. Normally what happens when a Bill is to be brought, is it is included in the List of Business. In yesterday’s List of Business, the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill was not there. If it was there, then we would have moved our opposition to its introduction under Rule 72(1). But, we are deprived of that basic opportunity of opposing the introduction of an anti-people Bill.
Then Madam, the next stage is under Rule 74, which says the Bill may be taken into consideration and then under Rule 75, which says there may be a discussion on the principles of the Bill. Now, the House, as you know Madam, has been in turmoil since November 16. Every day you are having to adjourn the House three to four times. Now this is a Bill which affects the Government’s efforts on black money, it’s misguided efforts on demonetisation, etc. and this is a follow-up of the Government’s decision to demonetise 500 and 1000 rupees notes. The House has been in total turmoil . All of us in the Opposition benches have vocally opposed the decision of the Government.
The Finance Minister is also proposing a Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan cess to give a special opportunity to black money holders. Now this is serious, Madam. So, this Bill should be discussed in all seriousness, a full-fledged deliberation must be held.
Another vital point has been mentioned by Mr Venugopal. Under Articles 117 and 274 of the Constitution, before bringing in the Bill, the President’s recommendation has to be obtained. The Minister must have obtained the President’s recommendation. We have put in amendments to the same. For the amendments to be fruitful, again, the President’s recommendation is needed under Articles 117 and 274.
Now all I want is a proper and structured discussion on the Government’s misguided efforts to curb black money through this Bill. It is necessary that the House be in perfect order before such a discussion can take place. And the House can be in perfect order after you have discussed the issue of demonetisation through an Adjournment Motion. Unless that happens, this Bill cannot be discussed.
The Government’s plan is to pass the Bill in the din, Madam; this should not happen. The future of this nation is at stake.
