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The Government’s efforts to get support from the Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha for crucial reform Bills such as the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill and Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill has been cold-shouldered yet again by elders.
A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) could not reach any consensus on the schedule for “consideration and passage” of the Coal Bill in the Rajya Sabha as the leaders of all Opposition parties argued that the Bill should not be taken up in the Upper House.
They said the Government will not be allowed to withdraw the “identical Bill” in the Rajya Sabha and it can proceed only after disposing the earlier Bill.
Sources in BAC said Chairman of Rajya Sabha Hamid Ansari deferred the decision on the Government’s request to the next meeting of the Committee.
Earlier in the House, the CPI (M) pointed out that the Insurance Bill should not be brought for discussion as a similar Bill was pending before the House. CPI (M) Deputy Leader P Rajeeve, citing the circulation of Insurance Bill to elders, said Article 107 of the Constitution provides that a Bill can originate in either Houses of Parliament.
“That means only in one of the two houses. Since the insurance Bill is pending in the Rajya Sabha, it is the property of the Upper House and cannot be brought in the Lok Sabha unless it is disposed of,” Rajeeve said.
“How can property of this House be introduced in the other House,” he added. Rajeeve told BusinessLine that all the Opposition parties are united in Rajya Sabha on the issue.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said though the Congress was not opposed to the content of the Insurance Bill, it will question the way the BJP is conducting the procedures of the House.
“What was their stand on the Bill when they were in Opposition,” he asked.
Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien, who was chairing the proceedings, said he will study the legalities involved in the issue and reserved the ruling. “I have to go through Constitutional provisions and give a ruling,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill and the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill were passed in Lok Sabha.
The Insurance Bill, once enacted, will replace the Insurance Ordinance promulgated in December. The Bill proposes to raise the foreign investment limit to 49 per cent from 26 per cent.
The Coal Bill replaces two ordinances issued by the Centre after the Supreme Court cancelled the allocation of 204 blocks.
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