The Opposition in Lok Sabha on Friday accused the government of announcing an interim budget which is aimed at bringing in votes for the party, with Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Tathagata Satpathy saying that the government was “completely following the misdeeds and modus operandi” of the previous Congress government. He said that the underlying message of the Budget appeared to be “tum mujhe vote do, main tumhe paise doonga” (‘you give me vote, I will give you money’).
Post-lunch, Mr. Satpathy began the discussion on the interim Budget in the absence of Congress’ Veerappa Moily, who was to speak first. “Your ₹6,000 to farmers will not even help them fill diesel in their tractors. Do you think farmers are beggars seeking your alms?” he asked.
Congress members Gaurav Gogoi, Rajeev Satav, Sushmita Dev and others trooped into the Well shouting slogans and demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale deal.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan reprimanded Mr. Gogoi after he walked up to Mr. Sathpathy’s seat with a placard and raised slogans as the BJD member’s microphone was on. The Congress then staged a walkout.
“This is very irresponsible behaviour. This is wrong and should not happen,” the Speaker said, disapproving of Mr. Gogoi’s behaviour.
Calling the Budget “pro-poor” BJP’s Anurag Singh Thakur said, “This Budget is for an aspirational class and will benefit 12 crore farmers, 30 crore labourers and 3.5 crore middle class. The Modi government has done more for the Indian Army than any other governments in the past.”
Meanwhile, 29 private member Bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday, including one seeking steps to check ‘fake news’.
Samajwadi Party’s Tej Pratap Singh Yadav tabled the private member Bill, which sought measures against the creation and distribution of fake news in media.
Mr. Gogoi introduced a Bill seeking the setting up of a Commission for Immigration Reforms to check illegal immigration, and to regulate immigration and related issues in the country.
These Bills will lapse with the dissolution of the present Lok Sabha on June 3. This is the last session of the 16th Lok Sabha and it will conclude on February 13.