Real estate Bill likely to be sent to select committee

The government was forced to defer introduction of the real estate Bill again, after it became apparent that it would have to send it to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha.

Assuring agitated opposition members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said, "I am not pursuing the Bill till the consultation process (with all political parties) is complete." The Bharatiya Janata Party-led government doesn't have numbers on its side in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill is unlikely to get clear passage in this session of Parliament. On April 29, the government had deferred the consideration and passing of the Bill under opposition pressure.
 

The issue was raised after members objected to the Bill being listed for consideration and passing when Naidu had told them last week that he would consult and take views of all parties into consideration.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) and myself have given notice to send the Bill to a select committee."

Naidu then intervened to assuage their concerns, saying, "I have started consulting political parties. I could not complete the consultations due to the holidays. I have talked to some people on telephone and talked to some others today... I am not pursuing the Bill till the consultation process is complete." When Naidu attempted to say he would like the House to consider the Bill before the end of this session on May 13, there were protests from opposition benches.

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had taken up the issue, when a group of disillusioned middle class homebuyers met him. While Samajwadi Party's Naresh Aggarwal said the government should come clean on its intentions, Trinamool Congress' Derek O' Brien said there should be no consultations "behind closed doors" and insisted that the Bill be sent to a select committee.

In a conciliatory note, Naidu said, "The consultation process is on. I will keep the assurance given by me. I also have in mind the suggestion of sending the Bill to a select committee."