Bill to accord constitutional status to NCBC set for delay

A bill to accord consitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes is set for a delay as the Opposition today blocked its consideration in the Rajya Sabha and insisted that it be sent to a Select Committee for proper scrutiny.
The Opposition did not allow considertion of The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha yesterday, despite the government requesting that it be passed "unanimously" in the interest of this section.
During the post-lunch session, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot said the bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha with huge majority.

He insisted that it be taken up in the Upper House while reminding 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.

"This is a long-pending demand, understand the gravity of the issue," he said.
HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar too said it would be nice if the House takes up the bill as a message will go outside that "we are sensitive" about the issue.

The Opposition members, however, did not yield to the government's demand, saying 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.
Leader of the Opposition Party 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..."
Sukendu Sekhar Roy (AITC) said, "In the morning meeting, it was agreed that it should be referred to a Select Committee".

Naqvi denied this, saying, "we have not said anything."
Madhusudhan Mistry (Cong) said the "government's attitude is objectionable. They want to send out a message outside that we are against the bill."
Naresh Agrawal (SP) said, "We cannot bring amendments as one day is required for that. Will I get time to move amendements? "
After hearing both the sides, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien gave a ruling that the bill cannot be take up for discussion today as a prior notice has not been given on this and the Opposition wants to refer it to a Select Committee.
"I see some substance. I am not taking it today," he added.

Earlier in the day, Opposition members indicated an informal agreement on the matter soon after Rajya Sabha Secretary General read out that the Bill along with the Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill was approved by the Lok Sabha yesterday.
Derek O'Brien (TMC) said there is an informal agreement to send the bill to the Select Committee, before the House takes it up for consideration.
He said this has been discussed with the government ministers as well.
Naresh Agrawal (SP) too said the Bill should be referred to the Select Committee as there was a consensus on the issue.
The Deputy Chairman said this was not the time for the issue to be discussed.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, the proposed Commission will hear the grievances of socially and educationally backward classes, a function which has been discharged so far by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
It also seeks to insert a new article 342A so as to provide that the President may, by public notification, specify the socially and educationally backward classes.