A bill for providing reservation to SCs and STs in promotions in Government jobs will be brought in Parliament on August 22, the Rajya Sabha has been told.
Earlier the Upper House was adjourned till noon after an uproar over the BSP’s demand to bring in a Constitution amendment Bill for reservation in promotion for SCs and STs in Government jobs and the BJP seeking a discussion on black money.
As soon as the House met for the day, BSP supremo Mayawati said the Government had promised in the last session to call an all-party meeting to discuss quota in promotion for SC and ST persons, but the meeting did not take place.
She pointed out that a discussion had taken place in the House and there was near unanimity among all parties on it.
Mayawati urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was present, to bring in a Constitution amendment Bill on the issue during the ongoing monsoon session.
She threatened that the BSP would not allow the House to function if the issue was not resolved.
As she spoke, other BSP members were on their feet and the House witnessed some angry exchanges between BSP and Congress members.
Ram Vilas Paswan (LJP), D. Raja (CPI), Sitaram Yechuri (CPI-M) and some other members too spoke.
Minister of State in the PMO V. Narayanasamy said the Prime Minister would call an all-party meeting “this session itself ...(and) the issue will be resolved.”
This did not satisfy the BSP and the party members trooped into the Well raising anti-Government slogans.
Amid the din, Shanta Kumar (BJP) said his party had given a notice for discussion on black money and pointed out that Yoga guru Ramdev had started a fresh agitation.
Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) also pressed for a discussion on black money.
As the uproar continued, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the House till noon.
Earlier, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, the House paid homage to martyrs.