The Centre's attempt to bring a Bill in Rajya Sabha pertaining to release of funds for afforestation was scuttled yet again by Congress which prevented Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien from conducting proceedings and rather demanded immediate decision on a private member Bill on Andhra Pradesh special package.
Interestingly, TDP member and Union Minister YS Chowdhary, who is part of NDA Government, too stood on his feet and demanded an immediate resolution of the subject. However, he was prompted sooner to remain silent. The Deputy Chairman too pointed to Chowdhary as why was he making statements favouring Opposition benches as he was part of Government. "Yes, I am a part of the Government," he responded.
The ruckus even led to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, CPI leader Sitaram Yechury and Congress member Jairam Ramesh exchange clarifications on the rules, procedures and the Constitution provisions.
Amid the ruckus, Chowdhary, who is Minister of State for Science and Technology said, "Either this side or that side, both are delaying... One side says it is a 'money Bill' which cannot be taken up here". He said that in the interest of Andhra Pradesh, there should either be voting or a fresh discussion. Opposition has been demanding a voting on the subject.
Ramesh asked what was the "guarantee" that the Finance Minister will not set the Andhra Bill as 'money Bill' to disallow voting in the Rajya SabhaIJ Kurien asked Ramesh how he knew Jaitley's "mind" as he has not said anything like that in the House. To this, Ramesh said, "FM's mind is known to everyone in the Central Hall (of Parliament)."
Backing Congress, Yechury also asked what was the "guarantee" that the bill would be taken up on Friday and that the matter would not be dubbed as 'money bill' by the lok Sabha Speaker to prevent voting on it.
Kurien said the bill is the property of the Upper House but refused to predict about whether or not the issue could be declared as 'money bill' by the lok Sabha Speaker.
Jaitley said as far as Bills are concerned, whether it is private or government, there are "certain constraints" in the Constitution. "The powers of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) are very clear," he said and asked members to read the Articles 110 and 117 of the Constitution.
"Any assurance cannot override the Constitution of India. The powers of this House and powers of the other House cannot be redefined by merely jumping into the Well," he said, attacking Congress members for protesting.
"Even by a private member, a money bill cannot be introduced in this House....What you are seeking to do is to amend the Budget, this House cannot do that...Whether Council of States has the power to amend the Budget. Constitution says it does not have," Jaitley said.