Parliament Budget Session: Stormy scenes are expected in Lok Sabha on Friday as the members will participate in the discussion on the ‘White Paper’, tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman comparing the economic management during 10 years of the Congress-led UPA government with that of 10 years of the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled dispensation.
As per the List of Business in the Lower House for the day, the Union Finance Minister will move, “That this House do consider the White Paper on the Indian Economy and its impact on lives of the people of India”.
What the white paper says — and doesn’t
Banking Sector: The nearly 60-page White Paper, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha by Sitharaman says that the banking crisis was one of the most important and infamous legacies of the UPA government.
UPA Government: White Paper says that the UPA government abandoned reforms after coming to power in 2004 and that it failed to build on the strong foundation laid by the previous BJP-led NDA government.
Defence Sector: The White Paper says that there were scandals in defence which compromised defence preparedness and the government delayed the acquisition of weapons.
Also Read: Uttarakhand madrasa demolition: 4 dead, 250 injured in riots ; schools shut, internet services down
“In the UPA government, decision-making came to a standstill due to corruption and scandals in defence, compromising defence preparedness. The government delayed the acquisition of artillery and anti-aircraft guns, fighters, submarines, night fighting gear and a host of equipment upgrades,” the White Paper says.
/ptc-news/media/media_files/cygSEbHFU2Du8A0Zgb0g.jpg)
Economic Management: The UPA government’s economic and fiscal mismanagement had ultimately hollowed the growth potential of India by the end of its term.
Health Sector: The White Paper says that Health expenditure remained a pain point for Indian households under the UPA government. The fact that out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) comprised 64.2 per cent of total health expenditure (THE) of India in FY14 (with little improvement over 69.4 per cent OOPE as a percentage of THE in FY05) meant that health expenditure kept drilling holes in the pockets of the Indian citizenship.
The Bill provides amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 (IX of 1989), the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000 (XX of 2000) and Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000 (XXI of 2000), as passed by Lok Sabha, be taken into consideration.
The session, which started with the address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of two Houses on January 31, has been extended by a day till February 10. It was earlier to be concluded on February 9.
