NCBC bill hits Opp. hurdle in RS

The Congress-led Opposition on Tuesday forced the government to refer the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill to the select committee of the Rajya Sabha after blocking its consideration by the House.

The Bill, that provides constitutional status for the National Commission for Backward Classes, was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Opposition did not allow consideration of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday despite the government requesting that it be passed “unanimously” in the interest of the OBCs. Union minister for social justice and empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot moved a motion for

sending the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill to the

select committee and it was adopted by the House.

Deputy chairman P.J. Kurien said the committee will submit its report in the House on the last day of the first week of the next session. As soon as the House assembled for the post-lunch session, minister for social justice and empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot stated that the Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha with huge majority and insisted that it be taken up in the Upper House.

He reminded members of the past instances when the Rajya Sabha had taken “unanimous” decisions in the interest of the country. “The OBC Commission needs to be set up without delay, for which it is necessary that the Bill is passed,” he said.

Minister of state for parliamentary affairs Mukthar Abbas Naqvi too requested the Chair to take up the bill. he also got support on the issue from HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on the issue.

However, the Opposition MPs did not yield to the government’s demand, and said they cannot allow the debate at a short notice as they wish to move amendments to the bill and refer it to a select committee of the House.

Leading the Opposition charge, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “This is the second time the bills are pushed like this. This was not even in the list of business. It should have been given few hours before and not few seconds before.”

Sukhendu Shekhar Roy (TMC) and Madhusudhan Mistry (Congress) too objected at the government’s stance of pushing through the Bill.