Speaking on the protest, Mallikarjun Kharge said that they will fight against price rise, inflation and GST rate hike of some essential commodities.
"Today, opposition parties have come together to protest against price rise, inflation and GST rate hike of some essential commodities. We will fight against this," he said at Parliament.
Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said, "Today, 53 years ago, banks were nationalised. It was a transformational change. Now, Modi Sarkar is on a privatisation spree. Public sector banks must be equipped to face competition, but selling them off to a chosen few will be disastrous! Congress will oppose the Bank Sale Bill."
“Joined the Opposition protest in front of Parliament this morning. It is truly outrageous that at a time when prices are spiralling upwards, the rupee is collapsing & people’s salaries are feeling the pinch, the Govt increases GST across the board on items of common consumption!," Shashi Tharoor tweeted.
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva has given a suspension of business in the Rajya Sabha on the issue of "hike in the price of petroleum products leading to increase in the price of essential commodities" while CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem sought suspension of business under rule 267 to discuss the issue of price rise and imposition of 5 per cent GST on essential items.
In the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore filed an adjournment motion notice on imposition of 5 per cent GST on some items.
Opposition leaders said they will keep up the pressure on the government on these issues as both the Houses on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament was adjourned for a day amid disruptions by the opposition over the issue of price rise.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday is discussing the government's strategy in Parliament with his top ministers, for the ongoing Monsoon session.
The recommendations on Goods and Services Tax rates that were made during the 47th GST Council meeting held in June came into effect from Monday.
Pre-packaged and labelled pulses, and cereals like rice, wheat, and flour (atta) will now attract 5 per cent GST when branded and packed in a unit container, whereas curd, lassi, and puffed rice would attract 5 per cent tax cent when pre-packaged and labelled.
Other items such as curd, lassi, and puffed rice too would attract GST at the rate of 5 per cent when pre-packaged and labelled.
(With ANI Inputs)
