Opposition to push for discussion on Agnipath in Parliament next week

Sources said on Sunday that after the discussion on inflation in both the houses, the opposition is likely to demand a discussion on Agneepath Defense Recruitment Scheme in Parliament next week.

The discussion on price hikes 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 definitely take up the issue in Parliament, though 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 a farewell to (outgoing Vice President) Venkaiah. Naidu” said an opposition leader.

At the same time, some leaders said that the parties also have a 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, and 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 the government has conveyed to them informally that they have no plans of accommodating their request on Agnipath 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.

In the Rajya Sabha too two Bills will come up for consideration and passing on Monday — the Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005; and a Bill to provide for the national measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems and to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

Both these bills have been passed by the Lok Sabha.