On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha passed the Constitution (124th Amendment) Bill 2019. The government described the Bill providing 10 percent reservation in jobs and educational institutions to the economically weaker sections of general category as historic.
The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha on the last day of the winter session. The Bill was cleared in the House with 323 votes in favour and just three going against it.
On Wednesday i.e. today, the Bill has been tabled in the Rajya Sabha. But the opposition has created a ruckus over the extension of the winter session of the Parliament. Congress leader Anand Sharma said in Rajya Sabha, “The way the House proceedings were extended without the consent of the opposition parties was not right. The situation now is such that there is no dialouge between Opposition and the government. The government is foremost responsible if the House doesn’t function.” The Congress did not stop here and also created a ruckus over the Citizenship Amendment Bill.
Basically, the Congress party seems to be looking for excuses in order to stop the proceeding of the House. On the quota Bill, Anand Sharma said, “We know that the bill is being introduced in a hurry because of the upcoming elections. We understand what is happening, we are not kids.” The CPI leader D Raja demanded the quota bill to go to the select committee before it is tabled for discussion in Rajya Sabha.
When Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot introduced The Constitution (124 Amendment) Bill 2019, the Congress kept shouting over the citizenship amendment bill.
In Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on 10% quota bill said, “This bill will uplift the poor of the nation. This decision has been taken with thorough consideration; Opposition comes into the well of the House as the minister speaks on the Bill.”
Union Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on 10% quota bill in Rajya Sabha: This bill will uplift the poor of the nation. This decision has been taken with thorough consideration; Opposition comes into the well of the House as the minister speaks on the Bill. pic.twitter.com/THZVUmiicZ
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2019
He has also said, “We have not taken this decision in hurry. It has been well consulted and structured for the benefit of all sections of society. There was no article in the Constitution giving the benefit to the economically weaker, so we brought in the change.” The BJP is trying its best to get the Bill passed in the Rajya Sabha but opposition has been putting hurdles to it.
In Lok Sabha where the BJP is in majority, the 10% quota Bill was cleared smoothly. However, in the Rajya Sabha where the opposition has an upper hand, the Bill faces obstacles. Since Lok Sabha is already out of the hands of the opposition, the Rajya Sabha automatically becomes a place where it can have a say and this, unfortunately, results in sheer noise and disruption. The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned many times because of the ruckus created by the opposition. The nation wants the opposition to allow the House to function and must not create an unnecessary ruckus in order to halt the passage of 10% quota Bill. The Congress leader Anand Sharma has said, “Congress party is supporting this bill but there are 2-3 issues which have to be discussed. There have been reports before about the bill. They should not take credit for the bill. Everyone knows it is politically motivated and all for votes.” In case, the Congress supports the Bill, it should co-operate with the government in order to get the Bill cleared.