A raucous session likely

At a time when the Winter Session of Parliament being held from November 16 to December 16 is expected to set policy course to shore up the economy, wide-ranging healthy deliberations seem to be hard to come about.

As the government is caught in a cleft stick over untold hardships to people following the demonetisation move, the entire opposition is baying for its blood and uniting to disrupt the whole session.

Though the PM is advising restraint and beseeching people to bear with him for 50 more days, people are gasping for small denominations of currency.

The PM cannot shrug off their plight and merely say it is akin to savouring Karak chai. Even that is a luxury for a distressed nation, for want of change.

Though Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes comprise over 80 per cent of money in circulation, the government failed to foresee the implications of its move, however appreciative it is. Naturally, the opposition, issueless for a long time, is screaming bloody murder.

Concerned citizens are aghast at the swift turn of events. No doubt, the huge presence of black money or untaxed wealth is eating into vitals of economy. But other issues are no less daunting.

Hopes for healthy deliberations on many issues, as were witnessed during the monsoon session, are evaporating. Hanging in balance is the fate of several key bills including those for GST rollout.

Detailed discussions are also unlikely on vexatious issues of terrorism, unremitting Kashmir shutdown, jobless growth, OROP etc.

There are reports the government may have sacrificed nation’s strategic interests to bag a nuclear deal with the Japanese.

Various global studies have spoken of India's depressing ranks vis-a-vis malnutrition and hunger, maternal and child mortality, fight against TB, leprosy, environment sustainability and so on.

As such, what are the benefits of surging growth in mere GDP? No answers may be sought by a frenzied opposition in the din, haze and smog of uproar in the House.

Stuck in this will also be passage of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Bill, 2016, the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, the Divorce (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Reasons behind the drastic move to amend the RTE Act to allow States to hold exams and dispense with no-fail policy may miss House attention.

War against corruption is a series of battles on several fronts such as strong legislation, curbing red tape and casting tax net on informal economy.

It is a continuous fight, waged by the powers-that-be with efficient oversight of anti-corruption agencies. But, the Modi government in one stroke has veered the focus of opposition, err nation, from these key issues and over to its narrative on a one-off measure on black money.

The government appears intent to win perception battle in view of the upcoming seven Assembly elections next year.
The opposition must see through its game-plan and press it to discuss all the issues plaguing the nation.