In one of the most productive days in its history, seven back-to-back Bills have been passed by Rajya Sabha in a single day. Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed 7 key bills within three-and-half hours. Among the legislations passed was a key bill removing removes cereals, pulses and onion from the Essential Commodities list. Another Bill abolishes penalty for certain offences by companies.
It has been reported that opposition MPs boycotted the remaining session of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Meanwhile, the government moved and passed seven bills in the House in 3.5 hours. Ruling NDA MPs were present in the debate and supported the bill. However, the opposition benches were almost empty.
Most of the Opposition, including the Congress, Left parties, the TMC, the Samajwadi Party and the NCP, boycotted proceedings for the remainder of the session in protest against the suspension of eight MPs.
As the house began, Congress MPs raised banners with “Don’t kill the Farmers” slogans and “Kisanon par Tanashahi nahin chalegi”. Speaker Om Birla urged members to follow the Covid-19 protocols in the house and maintain physical distance.
The government, on the other hand, stated it will consider revoking the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha members only after they apologise for their behaviour in the Upper House, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Tuesday, news agency PTI reported.
The House also passed the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Other bills the Rajya Sabha passed on Tuesday were: The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020, The National Forensic Sciences University Bill, 2020, The Rashtriya Raksha University Bill, 2020, and The Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020.
