TOUGH ROAD AHEAD FDI ‘allies’ SP, BSP face off on promotion quota

New Delhi: A deadlock over a bill providing reservation in promotion to dalits and tribals in government jobs poses a fresh challenge for the government, with the Samajwadi Party's bitter opposition leading to disruptions in Parliament that could derail the UPA's financial agenda. 

    The SP gave unambiguous notice of its intent as the party's nine MPs not only forced the Rajya Sabha to adjourn for the day on Monday but also vowed to disrupt the House for the remainder of the session if the legislation is not withdrawn—a move that 
can impact the government's legislative time-table. 
    If the standoff is not resolved soon, the government's hope that winning the vote in Parliament on FDI in multi-brand retail would set the stage for the passage of important legislations on banking, pension and insurance reforms may prove to be misplaced. 
Walmart lobbying gets oppn fired up 
    Walmart's disclosure that it spent $25 million on lobbying, including efforts to enter the Indian market, forced the Rajya Sabha to adjourn as parties opposed to FDI in multi-brand retail found fresh ammunition to demand the decision be rescinded. P 12 Banking reform bill stalled in LS T he opposition blocked a bill to amend banking laws in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Finance minister P Chidamabaram sought to take up the Banking Laws Amendment Bill, 2011, but the BJP, Left and the Trinamool forced an adjournment till Tuesday. P 10 BJP may back quota bill, but wants govt to firefight 
New Delhi: The government is yet to get a firm commitment from the main opposition party, the BJP, on the bills relating to banking, pension and insurance reforms. It finds itself in an unenviable situation as commitment to the promotion quota bill was a reason for BSP chief Mayawati's dramatic decision to vote in support of FDI in retail. 
    SP leader Ramgopal Yadav made no bones about the party's plans saying, "We will disrupt the House and not allow it to function if the bill is passed... We will continue to oppose the bill and we are ready for suspension." 
    Mayawati was quick to respond to SP's aggression saying she will wait a few days to see if the government moves ahead 
with the bill, threatening to take a"tough stand" if it appears that the amendment bill will not be passed in the winter session. 
    The BJP indicated it is likely to support the bill with some amendments, saying it favours all measures for social justice provided they are within constitutional parameters. "There seem to be a lot of hurdles in the passage of the reservation in promotion for SC/ ST bill. BJP is in favour of social justice for SC/ST but within constitutional parameters," BJP deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad said. 
    The BJP finds it politically inconvenient to support the bill although its instincts are not in sync with the proposal. It would be glad to leave it to the government to grapple with the SP demand. 
18L govt employees boycott work in UP 
Lucknow: Eighteen lakh Uttar Pradesh government employees boycotted work on Monday in protest against the Centre's attempt to push through the reservation in promotions Bill in Parliament. 
    The employees, essentially from the general and OBC category, held demonstrations in various districts of UP even as RS witnessed a stalemate, with the BSP pressing for it and its arch-rival SP opposing it. TNN