New Delhi, Jan 09 (UNI) Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 1400 hrs over procedural wrangle after the government moved the Constitution (124th) Amendment Bill providing for 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections of society.
Even as Union Minister for Social Justice described the Bill as 'historic' which will empower the poor who were out of the caste-based reservation, Opposition members came into the Well of the House.
He said the decision was not taken in haste as alleged by Opposition as there were discussions in the House on private members bill on the subject and committees set up to look into it.
According to him, the Mandal Commission report had also given its opinion for 10 per cent reservation for economically weaker sections in its agenda.
'The decision has not been taken in haste. It is with good policy, intention and thinking. It will reduce the gap between the poor and rich and bring about harmony in the society.’’
AIADMK leader Kanimozhi, who had earlier been allowed to move a motion for sending the Bill to the Select Committee, sought disposal of the motion through voting before taking up discussion on the Bill.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh said the motion will be voted upon after discussion on which there was a pandemonium.
Earlier Congress leader Anand Sharma said the Congress Party was in favour of the Bill but was opposed to the procedure and MPs have a right to raise points of order.
He sought clarity on justification and how many hours had been allocated for the discussion. ``We are not children, we need clarity,’’ he said.
D Raja (CPI) said there were serious implications of the Bill and there was a certain procedure that had to be followed. First there should be discussion on the motion for sending it to the Select Committee.
When the Chair said that there was discussion in the Business Advisory Committee, there were loud protests from Opposition members.
Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said eight hours had been decided between the government and opposition for discussion on the Constitution Amendment Bill.
At least on two occasions Congress members entered the Well of the House protesting loudly.
Even as Mr Harivansh called out the name of TK Rangarajan (CPM) to participate in the discussion, Kanimozhi rushed to him asking him what he was doing. Mr Rangarajan continued to make his points and sought 10 per cent reservation in the private sector.
However, even as BJP’s Prabhat Jha said the Lok Sabha had passed the Bill and he hoped the Rajya Sabha will do the same, Kanimozhi pressed for disposal of her motion leading to adjournment of the House till 1400 hrs.
Earlier soon after the House met at 1200 hrs following an adjournment, Mr Harivansh asked Mr Gehlot to introduce the Bill.
The Minister stressed the need for the Bill, asserted that Indian Constitution does not allow reservation on economic basis.
‘’Therefore, many poor people of general category miss out on opportunities.’’ he said.
Even as the Minister spoke on the Bill, the members of the Congress raised an uproar on the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday by a majority of 323 votes in favour and 3 against.
UNI GP-AR SB 1352