Parliament to discuss black money next week

Our Bureau Updated - August 13, 2012 at 08:32 PM.

Parliament will discuss the menace of black money and the current economic situation next week.

Both the Houses were disrupted on Monday protesting the arrest of Baba Ramdev, who marched to Parliament demanding the Government to bring back the black money to the country. The BJP leaders raised the issue in Parliament and demanded the Centre to take immediate steps to address the situation.

A meeting of the leaders in the evening agreed on holding a discussion on back money and the financial situation. The Government agreed that a short duration discussion on the issue could be held next week. The Government will list out the measures that were taken already to address the issue.

Earlier, raising the issue in Rajya Sabha, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said the UPA Government is not committed to address the problem.

“The White Paper was an empty paper,” Naidu said. Senior Minister Ambika Soni said the Government is ready for discussions on the issue in and outside Parliament.

Education Bills

With the Opposition and the Trinamool Congress raising objections to several Bills of the HRD Ministry, the Government has decided to hold discussions with leaders of various parties on Thursday.

Bills like the National Accreditation Regulatory Authority for Higher Educational Institutions Bill could not be introduced in Parliament as there were allegations that the HRD Ministry was subverting the “federal” structure of the country.

“We will meet leaders of all parties to convince them about the importance of these Bills,” a Minister said.

jigeesh.am@thehindu.co.in

Published on August 13, 2012 15:02