LS nod to amendments to river water disputes bill

NEW DELHI: A bill seeking to expedite and streamline resolution of inter-state water disputes has been approved by Lok Sabha. A key feature of the Inter-state River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 is the constitution of a single tribunal with different benches, and the setting up of strict timelines for adjudication. Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat observed “we have to focus on management of water”. ported strategy to push bills through Parliament without sending it to standing panels.

Barring a couple, most standing committees have not been formed. This allows the government the excuse that there is no scope for bills to be referred to committees that do not exist.

A PRS Legislative Research study shows that in the current session the productivity of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha has respectively been 129% and 96%. As many as 34 bills have been introduced in this session.

On Tuesday, the Rajya Sabha passed the contentious bill criminalising triple talaq among Muslims amid Opposition demands that it be referred to a standing committee for detailed scrutiny. The Upper House clearing the triple talaq and Right to Information bills is a big “psychological victory” for the government as the National Democratic Alliance does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah have repeatedly asked BJP lawmakers to be present in the House during voting on different bills. The two leaders will attend a “training session” for all BJP MPS this Saturday and Sunday.