The Opposition and Government on Tuesday locked horns over the decision of the latter to extend the functioning of the Rajya Sabha by a day to facilitate the passage of the 10 per cent reservation earmarked for the economically backward upper castes.
While the Centre claimed that it is the authority of the Government and the Chairman of the House to extend the sittings, the Opposition insisted that they should have been consulted before making the announcement.
Both sides during the day held several rounds of meetings amid setting a record sort of by six adjournments of the Upper House to resolve the issue but ended with Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourning to meet on Wednesday prompting the Opposition members to sit in protest in the House even after adjournment for the day.
Opposition parties led by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad also held a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue late evening while the Lok Sabha continued to discuss and debate the proposed Quota Bill.
Leaders of Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha and the Leader of the House discussed the extension of the ongoing Winter Session by one more day with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu who in turn discussed the issue with the Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.
Jaitley asserted that it was the prerogative of the Government to call, advance, extend Session of the Parliament or of either of the two Houses. He referred to Rule 12 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) which states “The Council shall sit on such dates as the Chairman, having regard to the state of business of the Council, may from time to time direct.”
During the discussion with the Opposition leaders, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel pointed out to the precedents in 2011 and 2013 when the Session of the House was extended similarly towards the fag end of the Session.
Amid the ruckus, Health Minister JP Nadda moved The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018, for consideration and passage after T Subbarami Reddy could not move the statutory resolution disapproving the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance. This move was also protested Jairam Ramesh and TMC Derek O Brien even reached the podium and sought to know how this matter could be taken when House was not in order.
The House also witnessed unruly scenes, with almost entire Opposition on its feet over alleged misuse of CBI and demand for discussion on the issue under rule 267 suspending the listed business.
They shouted “stop misuse of CBI”, while SP demanded discussion on the issue under rule 267 suspending the listed business of the House. The SP and BSP members trooped into the well and soon, amid the din, Congress members also joined them and started raising slogans.
When the Opposition refused to relent and continued shouting slogans in well, the chair adjourned the house till 3.30 pm and later for the day.