Trinamool Congress MPs protesting outside Parliament against black money
Targeted by opposition parties over untaxed or black money parked in foreign accounts, the government on Tuesday said it is ready for a debate in Parliament. The opposition has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of reneging on his promise to bring back crores stashed by Indians abroad.
Here are 10 developments in this story:
The government has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan that it is ready for a discussion even today. Loud protests and slogan shouting forced the Lok Sabha to adjourn for 40 minutes in the afternoon.
The Trinamool Congress of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blocked the main entrance of the Parliament Building this morning, holding black umbrellas with "Kala Dhan (black money)" written on them.
Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav also joined the protest briefly. "The Congress government at least gave black money figures. They (the ruling BJP) are not even saying how much there is. They promised to get back black money in 100 days, now it has been six months," Mr Yadav said.
When the Lok Sabha began work, Trinamool MPs rushed to the Well of the house with the umbrellas, earning the Speaker's rebuke. They were soon joined by members from the Congress, RJD, Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party.
The Trinamool Congress has submitted notice to suspend Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha for a discussion on black money. The Janata Dal-United has also given a similar notice.
The opposition has pledged to put up a united fight against the government on key legislation, including the insurance bill, especially in the Rajya Sabha where the ruling coalition is in a minority.
Today, the Rajya Sabha extended the deadline for the report of a parliamentary select committee on the insurance bill from this Friday to December 12.
The bill first needs to be approved by the select committee before it can be taken up in Parliament. Of the 15 members of that Select Committee, five MPs support it, three Congress MPs support it but with changes to the present draft and three MPs are opposed to it.
Before the session began on Monday, PM Modi said, "All MPs have a responsibility to run the country. We have to work with a calm mind in the cold climate."
The Winter Session will continue till December 23 and will have 22 sittings. The government has detailed 37 bills - including the insurance bill and the Goods and Service Tax Bill.
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