Parliament Diary

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha both saw disruptions during Question Hour as members of the Opposition benches raised the Moga molestation case in the houses. Question Hour in Lok Sabha was also disrupted as members raised demands for a separate High Court in Telangana.

Lok Sabha began discussion on Constitution Amendment Bill on GST.

At the beginning of the debate several members asked that the Bill be sent to a Standing Committee for greater scrutiny. Some members also pointed out that there may be constitutional issues pertaining to certain provisions. To this, the Chair replied that issues related to constitutional validity of a Bill are to be decided by the courts . Further, with regard to referring the Bill to a committee, the chair reiterated that the Speaker has already ruled that the Bill will not be sent to a Standing Committee and should be taken up for discussion.

During the debate members welcomed the Bill but also made certain recommendations. Some members sought that alcohol which is kept outside the purview of GST should be included.  A number of members also raised their concerns about the additional 1% tax for the producing states in the course of interstate trade and commerce of goods and services. Expressing reservations other concerns raised by members were related to compensation given to states and loss of revenue suffered by manufacturing states.

The Minister of Finance will reply to the debate tomorrow.

The National Waterway Bill was also introduced in the lower house.

Discussion the Real Estate Bill was deferred by Rajya Sabha. Rajya Sabha passed the Repealing and Amending 2014 and 2015 Bill. Both the bills passed by the upper house repeal certain obsolete enactments.

Discussion on the working of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was initiated in the upper house.