Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked parties to work with the government so the Parliament's Monsoon Session is constructive on its first day, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad decried the State's response to the ongoing unrest in Kashmir. Azad condemned the use of pellets by security forces that has left several people in the Valley with permanent injuries. "What is the need for such disproportionate use of force?" Azad asked.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir also criticised some state ministers for making irresponsible remarks against the minority Muslim community. He said civilians are being treated like militants, and the government should resolve the situation soon.
Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh said the government had discussed restraining the use of pellets and that they would use water cannons or tear gas if needed. He also condemned Pakistan for sponsoring terrorists such as Burhan Wani.
During this session, the National Democratic Alliance government will hope to pass the contentious Goods and Services Tax Bill. Other Bills that are high on the government's agenda are the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, Consumer Protection Bill, 2015, and the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015.
At an all-party meeting on Sunday, Modi said, “GST is of national importance. [The] issue is not which government gets credit. Important Bills, including GST, will be taken up in the monsoon session and I hope there will be meaningful discussions and outcomes. All of us represent both the people and parties and let us keep national interests above everything else.” The GST Bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, but needs to be ratified by the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling National Democratic Alliance government does not have a majority.
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