Opposition will insist for discussion on Agneepath in Parliament next week

On July 31, 2022, sources said a discussion on the Agneepath defense recruitment scheme may be sought after the opposition debates the price hike in Parliament next week.

The discussion on price hike has been listed in Lok Sabha on Monday and in Rajya Sabha the next day.

Opposition leaders said there is a consensus among them about the need for a discussion on Agneepath, which had led to widespread violence across the country, with differing views on the subject.

With barely 10 working days left before the monsoon session ends on August 12, it is unlikely that the parties will be able to debate the new armed forces recruitment plan in either house.

“We will certainly take up the issue in Parliament, although there is very little time to discuss it as the session ends on August 12 and there is a weekend in between, the Vice Presidential election as well as the farewell (outgoing) Vice President. Venkaiah Naidu,” said an opposition leader.

At the same time, some leaders said that the parties also have different stand on the issue, which are based in the northern region and are demanding a complete withdrawal of the scheme, while some TMCs have urged the state governments to act as Agniveers. to be relieved from the liability of providing employment.

Congress leaders like Deepender Singh Hooda, Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana, have demanded a complete rollback.

Sources said the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Samajwadi Party and Congress have already filed notices in both the houses demanding discussion on Agneepath. Three notices are likely to be filed on Monday.

Opposition leaders have indicated that the government has informed them informally that they have no plans to accommodate their request at Agneepath as the matter is sub-judice.

The government has also listed two bills – the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2022 to be introduced and the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2021 to be passed in the Lok Sabha.

Two bills will also come up for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha on Monday – the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery System (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005; and a Bill to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Protection of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, for national measures to protect the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems.

Both these bills have been passed by the Lok Sabha.