[Letter from NG Ranga]

Summary

This one-page English draft letter, dated by a handwritten notation “15/3/65,” is addressed to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and signed by N. G. Ranga as “Leader.” Ranga reports that members of his party unanimously considered the 15 hours allotted for discussion of the Finance Bill, beginning on 3 May, inadequate. He argues that the Bill is unusually voluminous because it includes numerous amendments to substantive income-tax law, and that its clauses require careful scrutiny and proposed amendments.

Key points

• The letter requests additional parliamentary time for consideration of the Finance Bill.
• The party had unanimously judged the existing allocation of 15 hours inadequate.
• Ranga describes the Bill as containing extensive amendments to substantive income-tax law.
• He argues that clause-by-clause consideration alone requires at least seven or eight hours.
• Additional time is needed for the Bill’s third reading, speeches, and a division.
• The letter asks that an allocation of 20 hours be placed before the Business Advisory Committee.