Parliament Winter Session : Adani ‘Scandal’ Notice, Waqf Bill Under Spotlight

Congressmen Jairam Ramesh and Gaurav Gogoi at an all-party gathering in New Delhi prior to the winter session of the Parliament

Adani ‘Scandal’ Notice: The winter session of parliament starting on Monday is expected to be volatile as the Congress-led opposition plans to target the government over the US prosecutors’ bribery charges against the Adani Group.

At an all-party meeting on Sunday, the Congress has sought discussion on the Adani issue “at the earliest” besides other issues including fresh violence in Manipur.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting attended by 42 leaders from 30 parties. BJP President J.P. Nadda, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal and LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti were present.

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Gautam Adani has been charged by US prosecutors for being part of a scheme to bribe Indian officials with USD 265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) for getting favourable terms for solar power contracts in four Indian states. The Adani Group has termed the charges as “false”.

The government has listed 11 Bills for discussion and passage. Five new Bills have been listed for introduction, discussion and passage.

Meanwhile, the Bills pending in the Lok Sabha include the Waqf (Amendment) Bill which has been listed for discussion and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha.

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The committee is to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the Winter session.

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari said the the issue should be discussed on priority since it involves the country’s economic and security interests.

“It is a grave issue involving the country's economic and security interests as over Rs 2,300 crore were allegedly paid by the company to politicians and bureaucrats to get favourable deals for its solar energy projects,” he said.

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