Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 31
The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday raised objection to government adopting a questionable stratagem pulling wool over its eyes in getting the “contentious” triple talaq Bill passed in the House yesterday, saying it breached the understanding to pilot it only after getting it scrutinised by a select committee.
An intervention by House Chairman Venkaiah Naidu averted a possible showdown by Opposition members. Raising the matter in the House, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad attributed the government’s victory in passing the Bill, in spite having lesser numbers, to absence of members of Opposition parties at the time of voting on the Bill, Azad said.
Two lists of Bills were given to the government by the Opposition parties through the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs for referral to select committees. This was after the government approached them, seeking names from among a list of 23 Bills for referral to select committees. One list from the opposition parties consisted of six Bills categorised as “A”, including on triple talaq and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Amendment Bill, 2019, which listed in today’s list of business.
“Since we were in dark, we could not inform our members,” Azad said, referring to their absence in the House at the time of voting on triple talaq. “On one side you are seeking a list of the Bills from the Opposition to be sent to the select committees. You don’t come back. You bring it for passage and get it passed. We remain under the illusion that this Bill is going to be referred to a select committee.”
Naidu said: “Members are supposed to be in the House all the time.” Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said it was fanciful to believe that all six Bills would be sent to select committee.
‘First in 26 years, no Bill sent to House panel’
It is the first time in 26 years that the government of the day has not thought it fit to send any Bill to a joint select committee or a standing committee. Ghulam Nabi Azad, LOP in RS
from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2KcBw3K
via Today’s News Headlines
No comments: