Winter Session of Parliament gears up for demonetisation war

New Delhi: The month-long winter session of parliament which begins today, is expected to be a stormy one, with opposition parties determined to corner the government on several issues, including the issue of demonetising Rs.500 and Rs.1000 currency notes, which has caused massive outrage across the nation.

Nine new bills, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the surrogacy regulation, the Indian Institutes of Managements Bill to confer statutory status to institutes and competence to award degrees and the HIV AIDS Prevention and Control, Mental Health Care and Consumer Protection Bill will be taken up for consideration and passage in this session.

The recent government decision to demonetise Rs.500 and Rs.1000 rupee notes has evoked sharp reaction from the opposition, including Congress, Left, TMC, AAP and the JD-U, who are ready to pin the government down on the issue.

Various parties have separately given adjournment notices in the Lok Sabha.

They have also given notice for suspension of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue and highlight the plight of the common man.

The surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) on terror launch pads in September this year, the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir and one rank one pension (OROP) for ex-servicemen will be some of the other issues taken up during the session.

The government has already made it clear that it will not shy away from discussing any issue.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Modi exhorted all the opposition parties to cooperate and extend support to the government's crusade against black money and corruption.

The Prime Minister also urged the opposition parties to put forth their arguments in a fruitful manner in order to ensure smooth passage of business during the session.

He further reminded the opposition parties that they were cooperative during the passage of the GST act and requested all the parties' cooperation both inside and outside the house regarding the Government of India's crusade against corruption, black money and fake currency which are affecting common man.

The Prime Minister further called on the opposition parties, during the all-party meet, to come out with solution with regard to conducting simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections and the state government's role in funding elections.

Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said Congress MPs would raise the demonetisation issue under Rules 56 and 193 during the Winter Session.

Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma has already given a notice for the suspension of business under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha for a discussion on the same issue.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad has also given a notice under Rule 267 for discussion on the issue of Kashmir unrest.