Finance
The government called an all-party meeting on the Sri Lanka crisis on Tuesday, and members of opposition parties protested as the economic conditions of Indian states were discussed.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged that Sri Lanka is in a serious crisis, but dismissed suggestions that India might be in a similar situation. He stated that the main lessons of Sri Lanka are fiscal prudence and good governance, and that “fortunately in this country, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we have both in very ample measures.”
However, because the presentation by Finance Ministry officials raised concerns that freebies would harm the states’ economic conditions, the opposition objected to the mention of the states’ economic conditions.
“It was the government’s initiative to tell the leader about the situation of the states,” Jaishankar said after the meeting. “A total of 46 parties were invited, 28 attended the meeting… The government had eight ministers. We called this meeting because we wanted all parties and leaders in the country to recognize… Sri Lanka is in the grip of a major crisis… The situation in Sri Lanka is unprecedented, and the country is facing a financial and political crisis.”
He clarified that there was “no political intent,” but officials presented the economic conditions of all states.
However, Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy, who was present at the meeting, stated, “It was inappropriate to call a meeting on Sri Lanka and give a presentation on states.”
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi was present from the government, as were Congress’s P Chidambaram and Manickam Tagore, Nationalist Congress Party’s Sharad Pawar, DMK’s T.R. Baalu, and M.M. Abdulla.
Source:OCN
