Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 24
Not sure of the number in support of the controversial Bill amending RTI Act in Rajya Sabha, the government in a last minute re-think today decided to defer it for another day, but Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, whether “it comes today or tomorrow, we will insist it goes to a committee of the House”.
Azad said the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019, should be either sent to select or standing committee for scrutiny.
Responding to the demand, Leader of the Rajya Sabha Thawar Chand Gehlot said “When the Bill is not in discussion how can we discuss about that (referring a bill to any committee).”
However, TMC leader Derek O’Brien claimed seven Bills, including triple talaq, labour reforms and unlawful activities, should be sent to select or standing committees. On Monday, the Lok Sabha passed the Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which seeks to give the government powers to fix salaries, tenures and other terms and conditions of employment of information commissioners. But several of the Opposition parties have accused that the government was trying to make the Central Information Commission (CIC) a toothless body.
As soon as the House resumed in afternoon, Azad said: “Not a single Bill has gone to standing or select committee. There are two important Bills listed today. But the Bill related to Children is for their protection. However, the second Bill on right to information should go to standing or select committee.”
The TMC leader said, “It is the government and Opposition which passed 14 Bills. There are 18 to 19 Bills which are transmitted to Rajya Sabha. We have given a separate notice that seven Bills should be send to select committees if standing committees are not in place, for further improving the Bills.”
It is learnt from sources that the government decided not to take up the RTI Bill following the BJD and TRS, which only give issue-based support, decided to side with the Opposition on this matter. The two parties together have 13 members.
‘Send it to panel’
Not a single Bill has gone to standing or select committee… the RTI Bill should go to standing or select committee. — Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of opposition
‘No need for that’
When the RTI Amendment Act Bill is not in discussion, how can we discuss about that (referring a Bill to any committee). — Thawar Chand Gehlot, leader of RS
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