President congratulates PM for his speech in Parliament on GST

President Pranab Mukherjee had an informal chat with PM Narendra Modi in the Darbar Hall of the President’s estate where a function to felicitate freedom fighters was organised. Vice-president Hamid Ansari and home minister Rajnath Singh were also present. President Mukherjee came into the hall in a ceremonial procession. After greeting the dignitaries, he was seen chatting with Mr Modi. Apparently, he was all praise for Mr Modi’s speech on the GST Bill. Now that the two Houses of Parliament have passed the 122nd Constitutional Bill, all eyes are on the President. After getting the President’s assent for the bill, the finance ministry will send the bill to all state governments for their approval in their respective state assemblies.

Prime minister may host dinner for all MPs for passage of GST bill

Many MPs were asking for a dinner for the passing of GST in both house of Parliament. Finance minister Arun Jaitley had organised a lunch today for the floor leaders of both the house. The fare was Rajasthani vegetarian lunch. Many cabinet ministers and a select group of senior journalist and proprietor of a Delhi newspaper were invited. Many floor leaders of different political parties except AIADMK leaders were present. AIADMK MPs did not support the GST bill in both the house of Parliament. After the voting of the GST bill, TMC parliamentary party whip Kalyan Banerjee congratulated Modi for his speech. “Sir, Your speech was good, no doubt. But your Kurta is much better,” he told Modi.

Why Hooda is happy these days

Former Haryana chief minister has been regular during the current monsoon session of the Parliament. Mr Hooda seem very relaxed prompting some MPs to say that he has been relieved of charges framed by the Enforcement Directorate. Quite recently, a close associate of Mr Hooda distributed sweets to everybody as he had become a grandfather.

Assam MPs want army protection for one-horn Rhino of Kaziranga

Infiltrators from Bangladesh are not only creating problems for the people of Assam but are also making things difficult for the famous one-horn Rhino of the Kaziranga forest. Ramen Deka, Lok Sabha MP from Assam said that Bangladeshi infiltrators have been encroaching into the forest land and helping poachers. He sought deployment of army to protect the Rhinos. Gourab Gogoi of Congress party also mentioned about the problem of poaching in the forest.

The writer is a senior journalist covering Parliament for 25 years.