Govt open to electoral‑reform talks, but let the listed business finish first : Kiren Rijiju
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) – The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated debate between the government and the opposition on Tuesday regarding electoral reforms. The opposition insisted on a discussion on the SIR under Rule 267, while the government urged the opposition to proceed according to the House's scheduled agenda.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju told the House that the government is fully prepared to discuss electoral reforms in light of the opposition's demands, but the condition of placing it above all other scheduled business is unacceptable. He said, "I am happy that all honourable members are sitting patiently. The government is ready to discuss electoral reforms, but the opposition should not impose the condition that it be taken up before all other parliamentary business."
He stated that many important topics remain to be discussed. At the first Business Advisory Committee meeting, the government proposed a special discussion on the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram, and this discussion is on the agenda. The Union Minister noted that electoral reforms are also an important topic, while Vande Mataram is an issue linked to the freedom struggle. Many members also wish to raise issues related to their respective states. Therefore, all topics should be discussed in order.
He appealed to the opposition, saying, "Please do not insist on holding this discussion within a specific timeframe. The government is ready, but let the House complete its listed business." Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, rejected the government's argument, saying that the notice given under Rule 267 should be given top priority.
He said that whatever agenda is before the House can be set aside. Rule 267 mandates that all other business be stopped and the issue for which notice has been given be discussed first. Therefore, we have given notice under Rule 267 for discussion on the SIR. This topic is important and warrants urgent discussion. If this issue was not to be given priority, why would a notice be necessary?
He said, "We have been repeatedly demanding that we be allowed to begin a discussion on the SIR. This is why Parliament was initially adjourned until 2 p.m., but even after the House resumed at 2 p.m., the deadlock persisted. The opposition insisted on raising its issue first."
DMK's Tiruchi Siva and CPI(M)'s John Brittas also demanded an immediate discussion. Opposition MPs said that while Vande Mataram is an essential and necessary topic, a discussion on the SIR is also crucial. The government, meanwhile, wants the listed business to be completed first. Due to the lack of consensus between the two sides, the House continued to be noisy, disrupting proceedings.
Following this, opposition members boycotted the proceedings and walked out of the House. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday discussed the second amendment to the Manipur Goods and Services Tax Bill. This amendment bill was introduced for consideration and return.