Oppn cries foul as LS passes Finance Bill sans amendments

Less than 24 hours after the Opposition flexed its numerical muscle in the Rajya Sabha to adopt the Finance Bill with five amendments, the Lok Sabha, where the NDA has a majority, rejected the amendments and passed the legislation. After the money bill was brought back before the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Opposition parties accused  the government of pushing “draconian” laws through the Finance Bill, a charge Finance Minister Arun Jaitley rejected.

The Lower House passed the bill by a voice vote. On Wednesday, five amendments — relating to curbing powers given to taxmen and a cap on donation by companies to political parties — moved by the Congress and CPM were approved by the Rajya Sabha, causing embarrassment to the government.

The Congress’ Deependra Hooda said the Centre was amending 40 laws through the Finance Bill, making the Rajya Sabha “incidental”.