Opposition stalls govt’s move to withdraw 3 bills in Rajya Sabha

A united opposition today blocked a government move in the Rajya Sabha to withdraw three bills, including one on raising the FDI limit in insurance sector to 49 per cent, which are expected to be introduced in Lok Sabha for replacement of ordinances.

The opposition, which has a majority in the upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, sought a discussion on the motion for withdrawal of the three bills - the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014, the Coal Mines (Special Provision) Bill, 2014 and The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2014.

"It will be difficult to support the motion to withdraw the legislations without a discussion," said leader of the opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The Congress was supported by Trinamool Congress, the Left, Samajwadi Party and BSP in, questioning the government's intent and insisted on a debate on the motion for withdrawal.

Azad was backed by Sitaram Yechury of the CPI and Derek O'Brien of the TMC.

Yechury also questioned the intention of the government when it had already brought ordinance to replace the bills.

"If the Bills were to be withdrawn, then why did you bring an ordinance. The withdrawal is against the propriety of the House," he said.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley referred to the rules of business, stating that the withdrawal had become necessary as in all the three bills, ordinances had been proclaimed and the bill substituting the ordinances had to be introduced.

"The earlier law has become infructuous but I believe there is an element of attachment to an infructuous legislation," he said.

However, the opposition remained firm, forcing Jaitley to defer the motion to withdraw the legislations.