The Narendra Modi government faced a little embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha on Friday as it took up a Bill for passage but could not muster the necessary quorum.
Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Lal Mandaviya moved the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017 for consideration and passing around 5 p.m. but as it on the eve of the weekend, attendance in the House was thin with less than 20 members from the ruling NDA present in the House besides a few opposition members.
The NDA has a strength of more than 70 members in the House.
As the Bill was moved, Congress member Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the House did not have the quorum. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien rang the quorum bell for over three minutes, but till the end, the required number of 25 members did not turn up.
As only 23 members were present in the House, two short of the quorum, Kurien finally adjourned the House for the day.
--IANS
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