logjam over various issues including Punjab National Bank(PNB) scam, special status to Andhra Pradesh and constitution of Cauvery Management Board marred Parliament on Monday and it could not transact any business for the sixth consecutive day due to din. While the lok Sabha was adjourned for the day in the pre-lunch session, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day shortly after lunch.
Both the houses have seen vociferous protests by the Opposition and NDA ally TDP since the second leg of Budget session began on March 5. There was an exception though shortly when the Rajya Sabha saw hour long discussion on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8 with members cutting across party lines demanding early passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill by the lok Sabha. However, after the debate pandemonium prevailed again in the Upper House forcing the chair to adjourn the proceedings.
Amid the din in the lok Sabha on Monday, Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla introduced The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018 that seeks to confiscate all assets of absconding fraudsters and loan defaulters for recovering dues from them.
The Bill was introduced in the backdrop of protests over the nearly Rs 12,700-crore fraud at Punjab National Bank in which businessman Nirav Modi is allegedly involved. The proposed law will apply to defaulters who have an outstanding of Rs 100 crore or more and have escaped from the country. Shukla also introduced the Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill 2018.
Another Bill to streamline and strengthen the chit fund sector was also introduced in the lok Sabha. The legislation mandates video conferencing while the opening of bids and seeks to hike commission of foremen from 5 per cent to 7 per cent.
The Chit Funds (Amendment) Bill, 2018 is based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and the Advisory Groups on Chit Funds set up by the central government.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House immediately after the Question Hour started as the TRS, TDP, AIADMK and YSR Congress members stormed the Well carrying placards and raised slogans in support of their demands.
When the House met again at noon, the protests continued but the Speaker went ahead with the proceedings, including introduction of the two bills by Shukla. Bhartruhari Mahtab(BJD) opposed the introduction of The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill, saying its provisions violated the citizens’ fundamental rights and that it is based on the premise of “guilty till proven innocent” and not the other way round. He questioned the provision of seizing assets of an accused before he was proved guilty.
However, Shukla said these provisions can be debated during the discussion on the bill and introduced the bill. Soon after this, the House was adjourned.
Similar, scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha with one adjournment till two pm soon after the House met for the day due to unrelenting protests by members on these issues. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu tried to pacify the members and conduct the Zero Hour but the protesting members did not oblige him and came into the well holding placards. Sensing the mood, the Chairman adjourned the pre-lunch session. With the house witnessing bedlam when it reassembled, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the proceedings for the day.