Cong creates ruckus in RS over Andhra special package issue

New Delhi: The government’s move to push in Rajya Sabha a bill on releasing funds for afforestation was scuttled yet again by a vociferous Congress which forced truncation of the day’s proceedings by pressing for a decision on a private member bill on Andhra Pradesh special package.

Congress created ruckus soon after the Calling Attention Motion on Mahanadi river dam, forcing a 30-minute adjournment before the House was adjourned for the day at around 4.25 pm.

The members of the main opposition, which had yesterday threatened not to allow any government business till voting on private member bill on Andhra Pradesh, created uproar when Deputy Chairman P J Kurien wanted to take up the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill.

They raised the issue of private member bill which provides for special package to Andhra Pradesh and pressed for voting on it.

Kurien ruled that the bill cannot be taken up today and promised to do so on coming Friday.

Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government is open for a discussion on the Andhra Pradesh bill right away but asserted that there cannot be voting on ‘money bill’ in the Upper House. He said the Congress wanted to amend the Budget which the Upper House was not empowered to do.

As Congress members created ruckus, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the main opposition party was creating roadblock in the development process.

Pushing for consideration of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill which is intended to unlock Rs 42,000 crore for afforestation purposes, he said Andhra Pradesh will get Rs 2,223 crore if this legislation bill is passed.

By stopping passage of this Bill, you are doing injustice to the poor and adivasis. The country will not tolerate this injustice, he said, adding that there should be voting on this as Congress is isolated.

This is the third time since Thursday last that Congress prevented taking up of the afforestation bill.

The private member bill for special package to Andhra Pradesh, moved by Congress MP K V P Ramchandra Rao on last Friday during private member business, could not be taken up e on that day as the House was adjourned following ruckus over AAP MP Bhagwant Mann’s controversial filming of Parliament.

While Congress members trooped into the Well and raised slogans today, Kurien said the private member bill cannot be taken up today. It can be taken up on Friday after a decision taken by the Business Advisory Committee. Not possible to have vote today, the Deputy Chairman ruled, much to the unhappiness of opposition members.

Amid the ruckus, TDP member from Andhra Pradesh and Minister of State for Science and Technology Y S Chowdary said, Either this side or that side, both are delaying.... One side says it is a ‘money bill’ which cannot be taken up here. He said that in the interest of Andhra Pradesh, there should either be voting or a fresh discussion.

What is the status as on today? Two-and-a-half years have been completed (since Telangana was carved out of Andhra Pradesh). We should know, understand what the government is likely to do about the commitment of the Act as well as the assurances, said Chowdary.

Kurien, however, pointed out to Chowdary that he is part of the government. Yes, I am a part of the government, he responded.

This House can have discussion on money Bill. This House has no power to vote on the money bill, Jaitley said, adding that the Constitution says that don’t give jurisdiction to Rajya Sabha on money bill.

Congress member Jairam Ramesh asked what was the guarantee that the Finance Minister will not set the Andhra bill as ‘money bill’ to disallow voting in the Rajya Sabha.

Kurien asked Ramesh how he knew Jaitley’s mind as he has not said anything like that in the House. To this, Ramesh said, FM’s mind is known to everyone in the Central Hall (of Parliament.

Backing Congress, CPM member Sitaram Yechury also asked what was the guarantee that the bill would be taken up on Friday and that the matter would not be dubbed as ‘money bill’ by the Lok Sabha Speaker to prevent voting on it.

Kurien said the bill is the property of the Upper House but refused to predict about whether or not the issue could be declared as ‘money bill’ by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

As Yechury insisted on an assurance by the Leader of the House, Jaitley said, If the members want a discussion on Andhra Pradesh and what we have to do for Andhra Pradesh, at any time, I am open for that. Government will respond.

He said as far as Bills are concerned, whether it is private or government, there are certain constraints in the Constitution.

The powers of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) are very clear, he said and asked members to read the Articles 110 and 117 of the Constitution. Any assurance cannot override the Constitution of India. The powers of this House and powers of the other House cannot be redefined by merely jumping into the Well, he said, attacking Congress members for protesting.

Even by a private member, a money bill cannot be introduced in this House....What you are seeking to do is to amend the Budget, this House cannot do that...whether Council of States has the power to amend the Budget. Constitution says it does not have, Jaitley said.

Jaitley said he is ready for discussion on how to help Andhra Pradesh right now.

This House can have discussion on money Bill. This House has no power to vote on the money bill, Jaitley said, adding that the Constitution says that don’t give jurisdiction to Rajya Sabha on money bill.

With opposition parties unrelenting, the Deputy Chairman adjourned the house for the day. RS-ANDHRA 3 LAST (Reopen PAR28)

Ramesh said the private member bill on Andhra Pradesh was introduced in Parliament in August 2015 and that the discussion has already taken place on it and the minister has responded.

Now we want voting on this private member bill, the Congress leader said.

When Jaitley said there can be no voting on ‘money bill’ in Rajya Sabha, Ramesh said, The intention of the Finance Minister has now become very clear. The cat is now out of his bag.

Kurien added that it is the Speaker who can decide whether a bill is a money bill or not.

Yechury asked the Deputy Chairman whether his office had made any mistake by accepting this bill. To this, Kurien replied that his office did not commit any mistake.

PTI