New Delhi: The Union Government’s reforms agenda in Parliament is in for trouble with its biggest ally Shiv Sena joining some Opposition parties in declaring resistance to a Bill on raising FDI cap in insurance sector from 26 per cent 49 per cent.
The Shiv Sena has sought more safeguards in Insurance Bill.
“What we want is more safeguards. The public sector insurance companies will follow the rules, but what about the private players? Who will ensure that they comply? The same thing happened with the telecom sector. The private players have been found violating the rules and the government wants them to pay a penalty. Have they paid?” Shiv Sena spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant said.
The Shiv Sena’s stand comes as a surprise because on Sunday the party had announced its support to the government in getting key legislation passed this session.
This puts a question mark on the fate of the Bill unless the Congress comes around and supports the legislation. If there is an agreement between the Congress and BJP in the select committee, then there will be no roadblock.
The Trinamool, JD(U), AIADMK and SP have made it clear they will not support the bill, while the Congress is still keeping its card close to its chest. If the government plans to convene a joint sitting of Parliament, it would find the task difficult without the support of the Shiv Sena. The demand for an extension comes as no surprise as the committee has been unable to meet after J.P. Nadda and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi were inducted into the Union Cabinet.
