Government tonight appeared to have shed its enthusiasm and was having second thoughts on bringing ordinances on anti-corruption and some populist measures, including those being pushed by Rahul Gandhi.
These ordinances were on the agenda of the Cabinet meeting today but were deferred, apparently after senior minister and NCP chief Sharad Pawar raised questions over the need for promulgation at the fag end of the tenure of the government.
He is understood to have said that there was no tearing hurry and the matter should be left for the future government to decide, sources said.
The government's reluctance is also believed to have been influenced by the fears that President Pranab Mukherjee might raise questions on similar grounds.
The Cabinet which met for nearly two hours decided to postpone the ordinances. These included ordinances on Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill and Right of Citizens for Time-Bound Delivery of Goods and Services and Redressal of their Grievances Bill - both dealing with corruption, which were on the agenda of the meeting.
These are among the anti-corruption bills being pushed by Rahul Gandhi to create a "framework" to fight graft.
Along with these, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, Security Laws (Amendment) Bill and Delhi High Court Act (Amendment) Bill were also on the agenda.
Soon after the Cabinet took up the packed agenda for the day, Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth announced that items relating to the ordinances stand "postponed", sources said.
These proposed legislations could not be passed during the extended Winter Session of Parliament due to disturbances.
