LS speaker allows FDI debate with voting

 Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Thursday allowed a debate under voting rules on foreign investment in multi-brand retail.

She was responding to notices submitted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) for a debate on the issue under rule 184, which entails voting.

"I have allowed a debate on FDI retail under rule 184," the speaker said.

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj thanked the speaker for allowing BJP's motion and assured that the house will run smoothly.

"I thank you for allowing the motion and I assure you that now the house will run smoothly," she said.

The date and time of the debate is to be decided later.

Both houses of parliament have been seeing disruptions since the winter session began Nov 22, with the opposition adamant on a debate on the issue under rules that entail voting.