With just two days left for the Budget Session to disperse for a month-long break, a logjam is developing between the National Democratic Alliance and Congress-led Opposition over the extension of Raj
With just two days left for the Budget Session to disperse for a month-long break, a logjam is developing between the National Democratic Alliance and Congress-led Opposition over the extension of Rajya Sabha sittings to discuss key bills, such as Aadhaar, which the Opposition wants to discuss and make some changes, though it was passed in the Lok Sabha on Friday after being tagged as a money bill.
While this newspaper has reported that at the Rajya Sabha business advisory committee meet Friday, the government refused to entertain pleas to extend Rajya Sabha sittings by a few days to discuss the Aadhaar Bill, there are indications the Congress and other Opposition parties are studying the Constitution, to find a loophole to embarrass the government, even if they cannot de feat the bill in the Upper House.
A money bill can only be discussed by the Rajya Sabha and then has to be returned to the Lok Sabha within 14 days of its passage. However, Article 109 of the Constitution does provide a window where the Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments to a money bill, which can be accepted or rejected by the Lok Sabha.
The Opposition, sources said, hopes to use this window to embarrass the government in the Upper House, but only if the sittings are extended. A PTI report said, however, that the government was in discussion with several parties and some were against extending the first half of the session.
A united Opposition also stalled the government’s bid to take up a key bill — Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill 2016 — through supplementary agenda, saying bringing bills like this was not proper and there will be no compromise on the debates on the Railway and General Budgets.
“There will be no reduction in the Railway and General Budget discussion...This is for the first time that the Opposition wants to pass bills and extend the session by two days, if the government wants to get key legislation passed. But it is the government that is not forthcoming,” said Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad as the government tried to bring the Enemy Property Bill during the day.
