In a first, Modi to launch fast against 'wasted' Parliament-session
The BJP has been vehemently protesting the recent "wasted" Parliament session, the most unproductive in 18 years, and blaming the opposition for it. Now the PM himself as well as the party chief are going on fast. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah will be joining BJP MPs' day-long fast on April 12. Earlier, NDA MPs gave up salaries for the 23 days of session.
The terrible productivity of this session, in numbers
Rajya Sabha MPs are supposed to function for at least six hours a day, but in the first 13 days, they clocked in just 6% of the mandated duration. The House couldn't even debate five no-confidence motions. The budget and related bills were passed without discussion. Only two out of eight bills planned for this session could be introduced.
Rs. 2.5L is spent per minute in running the Parliament
Union Minister Vijay Goel had said Rs. 2.5L is spent per minute in running the Parliament. While there is no linear relation of this to the total amount lost due to wasted proceedings, the figure would be humongous.
NDA MPs to give up 23 days of salary
Earlier, NDA MPs announced they won't take salaries for 23 days since no work had been done. But leaders said this would also show that the opposition was responsible for the fiasco. An MP earns Rs. 1.4L a month, plus Rs. 2,000 for each day the House is in session. With its nearly 400 MPs, the NDA would be giving up Rs. 6cr.
Announcement comes a day after Congress' anti-government fast
On April 12, Modi will be observing a fast in the national capital, while Shah will organize a sit-in at Hubli in poll-bound Karnataka. But the PM will not disturb his daily official routine; he will continue meeting people and officials and clearing files as scheduled, sources said. This announcement comes a day after Congress President Rahul Gandhi led a fast against the government.
