Oppn in RS favours extending first half of session by 1-2 days

Opposition on Monday said it was ready for extending Rajya Sabha sitting by a day or two to help pass key legislations, but the government said it was in discussion with several parties and some were against extending the first half of the session.

A united opposition also stalled the government's move to take up a key legislation -- The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2016, through supplementary agenda, saying bringing bills like this was not proper and there will be no compromise on the debates on the Railway and General Budgets.

"There will be no reduction in Railway and General Budget discussion...This is for the first time that the opposition wants to pass bills and extend the session by two days, if government wants to get key legislations passed. But it is the government which is not forthcoming," Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said after the government made an attempt to bring the Enemy Property bill.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhar Abbas Naqvi said, "All parties are not agreeing (on extending the session) and government was talking to various parties. We are in discussion, we will come back on this." Soon after the House met after lunch, Naqvi urged the Chair to allow taking up the Enemy Property Bill as Home Minister Rajnath Singh was present in the House. The Bill has already been passed in Lok Sabha.

This was strongly objected to by opposition members, who wanted the Railway and General budgets to be taken up first and consider taking up the bills only thereafter.

Azad also alleged that the government does not intend to bring the Aadhar bill in the Upper House and allow it to become a legislation without discussion in this House. "We want a discussion on the Aadhar Bill even if it is for an hour, so that it is not passed without debate." As Naqvi said sought an hour's time to get the Enemy property bill passed and asked opposition not to view this from "a communal angle", objections were raised by Naresh Agarwal (SP), D Raja (CPI) and Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC).

While Agarwal sought expunction of the word "communal" as stated by Naqvi, Roy asked how can the government bring a bill in this manner through a supplementary agenda.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said these were valid points raised by the members and the bill can be taken up only afterwards. "These are valid points raised. I agree with you," he said, adding that if government wants and members are ready, it can extend the session.