The Opposition did not allow the Rajya Sabha to function on Tuesday protesting against vacancies in constitutional bodies like OBC, SC/ST and Minorities Commission. The Government said the process of filling up the vacancies was on and charged the Opposition with ‘misleading’ the nation. The Upper House had seen similar scenes in the pre-lunch session on Monday with the Opposition repeatedly rushing into the well and raising slogans against the ruling combine.
Making its intentions clear when the House met for the day on Tuesday to stall the proceedings, the determined Opposition, including Congress, SP, BSP , JD-U and left raised the matter during Zero Hour and forced repeated adjournments by coming into the well and shouting slogans. The Treasury Benches also raised counter slogans and the chair finally adjourned the House for the day shortly after 3.00 pm.
The Government sought to address the concerns by saying the process was underway for filling up these vacancies but the Opposition demanded a commitment that it will be done within a week. Various parties also sought an immediate discussion on the issue. The chair, however, said their notices for a discussion under an adjournment motion were disallowed.
Amidst the ruckus, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said the delay in appointments to the statutory commissions was due to the Model Code enforced because of elections in five States recently. He also said the Chairmen for the SC Commission and the Safai Karamchari Ayog were appointed.
Informing the House that the process to fill up other vacancies was also underway, the Minister said it was not the first time that there have been delays in filling up such vacancies. Giving instances, Gehlot said in 2007 and 2010, when UPA Government was in power, there was a delay of three and five months, respectively, in filling up such vacancies. He also said the SC Commission chairmanship fell vacant on October 31 last year. The Opposition members did not allow the Minister to speak despite repeated requests by Deputy Chairman P J Kurien.
Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in the pre-lunch session that all the commissions were functioning and the vacancies will be filled in due course of time. Charging the Opposition with misleading the nation and leveling wrong allegations, he said ‘one- way traffic’ cannot be allowed in the House and the Government cannot be at the ‘mercy of some members.’
leader of Opposition and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad asked the Government to give a commitment that the vacancies will be filled within a week and sought an immediate discussion. He also claimed that it was the first time that the three statutory bodies were without chairmen and members.
The SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities account for 80 to 85 per cent of total population and the various commissions implement the schemes for their welfare, he said adding the Government was not interested in addressing the problems of these communities and castes. Ramgopal Yadav (SP), Mayawati (BSP) and Sharad Yadav also aired same concerns.