Rajya Sabha did not function yet again on Wednesday as the opposition found a new issue to stall proceedings.
Led by JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav, opposition members accused the government of using corporate houses and media to advise that Parliament function smoothly. Despite being listed, the goods and services tax (GST) bill could not be taken up and, with just a day left of the monsoon session, the fate of the key reform measure remains uncertain. Citing news reports of industry leaders urging parliamentarians to end the logjam so that crucial bills could be passed, Yadav asked why corporate houses should issue advice on the functioning of Parliament. “It shows that this government has been installed by corporate houses,“ he said. Leader of the House Arun Jaitley retorted, “You think that people who voted for you do not want the House to function.“ He said industrialists too have a right to express their views.
With Parliament witnessing frequent disruptions in its current session, a PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court requesting that it frame guidelines for smooth running of the House. The petition, filed by NGO Foundation for Restoration of National Values, alleges that stalling Parliament proceedings results in a loss of Rs.30,000 of public money every minute. It contends that over the last 19 years, 2,163 hours of Lok Sabha's time had been wasted owing to disruption by members.
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