The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2017 got stuck in Rajya Sabha on Monday as the members from Opposition Benches demanded that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee of the House for proper scrutiny.
Aimed at bringing radical reforms in the transport sector, The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2017, passed by the lok Sabha last year, was listed in the legislative business for the Upper House but it could not be taken up in the absence of Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Congress and DMK members insisted that the government should move a motion to refer the bill to a Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha. However, Deputy chairman P J Kurien said it could not be done in the absence of the minister concerned.
The fate of the bill is now to be decided in an all-party meeting convened on Wednesday, sources said. The bill stipulates heavier fines for traffic rules violation, improving licensing system, protecting the good samaritans and checking bogus vehicle theft cases.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi assured the Opposition members that their concerns will be conveyed to the Minister concerned.
Deputy leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said just by not being taken up (the bill) does not settle the matter. "The issue was discussed in the Business Advisory Committee last week. Many parties had raised concerns and reservation that the Standing Committee's suggestions were not accepted fully. The Opposition had made it clear that it needs to be examined by a Select Committee. A decision should be taken by the House. It should not be kept in animated suspension. We need a ruling on this," Sharma said.
In his response, Kurien said: "For moving a motion like that, the concerned minister should come and move the bill first. Then only a motion can be moved". He pointed that even Parliamentary Affairs Minister cannot do on behalf of an absentee minister.
Sharma said he does not want surprises and get "stumped" by the government as had happened on earlier occasion. "We don't want that situation again." Thiruchi Siva (DMK) also insisted that the bill be referred to a Select Panel.