Rajya Sabha proceedings continue amidst uproar

January 9: Wednesday is a significant day in the history of Rajya Sabha as Constitution Amendment Bill to give 10% quota to ‘economically weaker’ upper castes and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will be tabled. Both these two bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday began among a ruckus. Opposition cried foul over extension of Winter session as Rajya Sabha proceedings begin. TMC said that extension of House is illegal. Rajya Sabha proceedings was adjourned till 1200 hrs following ruckus by opposition parties led by Congress over the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Anand Sharma of Congress said the entire North-East is on fire as the legislation would effect the security and safety of the region. He demanded that the Home Minister should come and make a statement.

After the House was resumed Government introduced in Rajya Sabha a Constitutional Amendment Bill to give 10% quota to upper caste poor in jobs and education. CPI leader D Raja says that the quota bill needs to go to select committee first before it comes up for discussion in Rajya Sabha. The House was again adjourned till 2 pm amid uproar.

At 2 PM, Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke in Rajya Sabha on Citizenship Bill. He condemned the violence that took place in Assam and Meghalaya on Tuesday. Rajnath Singh further said that, “We have taken some big steps for the enforcement of Assam Accord.” he said that the bill is not only for Assam, but will be extended for migrants in other states as well.

The Home Minister assured the Upper Hose that “Situation in North East is under control. Several steps have been taken in last four years to control illegal migration. The government is committed to preserve distinct identity of Assam. ”

Meanwhile, Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress attacked the Centre’s pre-poll reservation bill on Wednesday labelling it as an ‘acknowledgement of guilt’. BJD MP Prasanna Acharya argued in the Rajya Sabha that the Centre’s reservation bill may not stand the scrutiny of the law. While the JD (U) has extended its support to the Quota bill, the TDP argues that the bill should have been referred to a Select Committee.

CPI(M) MP Elamaram Kareem charged the BJP of robbing the country of one crore jobs during demonetisation. Congress leader Kabil Sibal said, “Is there any data to show how many OBC, SC, ST is there in the states. So, what is the data to show how many people have homes under 1000 sq ft or have an annual income below 8 lakhs per annum?”

More updates from Rajya Sabha to follow…….