Latest news with #ManipurGoodsandServicesTax(Amendment)Bill
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Manipur MP Bimol Akoijam: ‘Rs 500 crore for rehabilitation adds to humiliation … need much larger economic package'
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Manipur Appropriation (No.2) Bill, 2025, amid protests by the Opposition over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Both pieces of legislation were cleared by voice vote without discussion. Inner Manipur MP from Congress Bimol Akoijam spoke to Deeptiman Tiwary about the development It is unfortunate to say the least. The crisis has affected Manipur in all spheres, and its economy has been severely affected. It will take decades to recover. We need substantial support from the Centre. The Union government must discharge its constitutional and moral responsibility towards its citizens in the state. The voice of the people of the state must be heard, most importantly, given a chance to be heard. Forget about MPs like me, did the Finance ministers consult their own MLAs and party leaders in Manipur for this budget? For heaven's sake, Manipur is not a vassal state; it's a constituent state of the Union. 2. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Opposition was shedding 'crocodile tears' for Manipur while stalling the House. How do you respond to that charge? I am sorry to say that the Finance Minister should not have indulged in such rhetoric that trivialises a serious issue such as the economy of the crisis-affected state of Manipur, and bulldozed a budget without discussion under the cover of a legitimate protest against SIR by the opposition. I must say, how the budget has been passed today is a reflection of the overall orientation and response of the Government of India under the BJP to the unprecedented crisis in Manipur, something that the country has not seen in its postcolonial history. 3. The Appropriation Bill includes over `500 crore for rehabilitation and over `500 crore for security. Do you believe these allocations reflect the actual needs on the ground? This `500 crore for rehabilitation is adding to the humiliation that the people of the state have been going through over the last two years. See, about 60,000 people have been rendered homeless and displaced, thousands of houses and hundreds of villages have been destroyed. Besides the loss of life, these internally displaced persons are going through unprecedented hardships, such as losing their means of livelihood. From the issue of their day-to-day needs, the issue of health and education of the children, do you think the amount mentioned in the budget helps… It is a cruel joke; it's nothing but sprinkling salt to the wound! We are not begging; we are only asking what a responsible, democratic national government must do for its citizens. The budget should have a much larger economic package for the IDPs, besides measures to rejuvenate the economy of the state. Measures such as the exemption of income tax for at least a decade to boost the economy should have been there in the budget, especially in the face of the crisis. 4. Were you or other Manipur representatives consulted on these bills before they were brought to the House? No, we were not consulted. That itself reveals the central government's approach — unilateralism, not federalism. It's deeply ironic that in a so-called cooperative federation, representatives from the state in question are kept in the dark while decisions are taken in Delhi by people far from the realities on the ground. This isn't just about disrespecting MPs — it's about silencing the voice of an entire state and abdication of responsibility by the Union government towards the nation itself. 5. What would you have said in the Lok Sabha today, had there been a discussion on these bills? Besides the issues I have raised above, I would have said that the crisis in Manipur is not merely about law and order — it is a crisis of constitutional governance, of moral leadership, and of democratic accountability. I would have demanded answers: Why has there been no comprehensive political initiative and adequate socio-economic measures to address the crisis? Why are thousands still displaced, months after the violence started? And most importantly, how long will the people of Manipur be treated as if they do not matter in this country?
United News of India
2 days ago
- Business
- United News of India
Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha adjourned till tomorrow amid protests over SIR revision
New Delhi, Aug 7 (UNI) The monsoon session of Parliament today witnessed both Houses being adjourned for the day till tomorrow, August 8 amid continued protests by Opposition members on the contentious issue of Bihar's revision of electoral rolls. On Day 13, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resumed for its routine business at 11 am but were quickly disrupted and adjourned till 12 pm and 2 pm respectively amid noisy sloganeering by the Opposition. In Lok Sabha, the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed without discussion, despite loud protests by Opposition MPs demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Bill authorises payment and appropriation of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of Manipur for the services of the financial year 2025-26. The Bill was passed without any discussion as opposition members did not relent. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the Opposition of shedding 'crocodile tears' over Manipur, saying that 'while they talk of Manipur, they do not want money to go to the state, which is under President's rule.' Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, after a brief debate amidst sloganeering by the Opposition MPs. Deputy Chairman Harivansh and Chair Ghanshyam Tiwari urged members to maintain order, but protests persisted throughout the day. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge described the current political climate as a 'dangerous phase' and urged the government to permit a debate on the SIR exercise, assuring that the Opposition would act in the nation's interest. However, leader of the House and BJP president JP Nadda requested the chair to proceed with the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 bill as per the schedule. The Bill was moved by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal for its passage. The Bill was cleared by Lok Sabha in April. The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 seeks to consolidate laws related to ports, promote integrated port development, and facilitate ease of doing business along India's coastline. The legislation aims to ensure the optimal utilisation of the country's vast maritime resources. Government officials said the Bill proposes the establishment and empowerment of State Maritime Boards to manage ports other than major ports more effectively. It also provides for the creation of the Maritime State Development Council to foster structured growth and development in the port sector. The Bill includes provisions for the management of pollution, disaster response, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports, thereby aiming to enhance regulatory oversight and operational efficiency. UNI AJ PRS
India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Parliament Monsoon Session Live Updates: Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition uproar
Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 p.m. after fresh protests by Opposition members, who trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans. The disruption came shortly after proceedings resumed following an hour-long adjournment. Amid the uproar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The officiating chair adjourned the House as protests continued. After Rajya Sabha proceedings began at 11 a.m., Deputy Chairman Harivansh declined to admit members' notices, citing procedural issues. He urged the Opposition to maintain order and allow Question Hour to proceed. As Opposition members continued to protest and raise slogans, the House was adjourned till 2 p.m. Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned within minutes of commencement on Thursday as opposition MPs raised slogans and protested during Question Hour. Speaker Om Birla announced the start of the session but quickly adjourned the House till 12 p.m. amid continued disruptions from the Opposition benches. For the first time in 14 months, INDIA bloc parties will come together outside Parliament on Thursday at a dinner meeting hosted by Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi at his Delhi home. The meeting comes as the Opposition jointly rallies against the Centre's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they allege is politically motivated. Ahead of the Monsoon session, Congress had convened a virtual meeting of floor leaders, and over the past two weeks, Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge have held several discussions with allies to improve floor coordination. The dinner meet will be followed by a joint protest march to the Election Commission's office in Delhi on Friday.
