Parliament: Finance Bill 2023 Passed Amid Uproar in Lok Sabha

NEW-DELHI: Amidst Uproar by the members of opposition, the Lok Sabha on Friday (March 23) passed the Finance Bill 2023 by voice vote without discussion. With this, the process of the budget for the coming financial year in the Lok Sabha completed. The Lok Sabha session started at 12 noon after being adjourned once.

Chairman Rajendra Agrawal presented the necessary documents in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, members of opposition parties including Congress started raising slogans. The opposition was demanding formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the 'Adani issue' and were waving placards with slogans. Amid the uproar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Finance Bill 2023 for consideration and passing in the House.

Introducing the bill, FM Sitharaman said that there have been suggestions from some stakeholders that the National Pension System for government employees should be reformed and for this, she is proposing to form a committee. She said, "I propose to form a committee under the chairmanship of the Finance Secretary to look into the issues related to pension of government employees with financial prudence."

The Finance Minister also informed the House that credit card payments for foreign visits were not being captured under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) and asked the RBI to look into it. After this, the House approved the government amendments related to the Finance Bill and the Finance Bill 2023 was passed by voice vote without discussion as an amendment. Simultaneously, the House rejected the amendment proposal brought by the opposition members on the Finance Bill through an oral vote.