A day after it faced embarrassment in the Lok Sabha with the defeat of the Constitution (116th Amendment) Bill on the Lokpal, the government was forced to defer the introduction of a Bill on another subject in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The Bill seeks to set up an agricultural university in Bundelkhand in the election-bound Uttar Pradesh.
When the government failed to get the support of the CPI(M) and the BJP even after the House was adjourned thrice, Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan announced that the Bill was “deferred.”
The two opposition parties insisted on voting on the introduction of the Bill in the House, where the ruling UPA is in a minority.
“The introduction of the Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agriculture University Bill, 2011, is deferred,” Mr. Khan announced after consultations in his chamber among Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Shukla and the leaders of major Opposition parties.
Earlier, as soon as Mr. Pawar rose to introduce the Bill, the CPI(M)'s P. Rajeeve said that as per Entry 44 of the Union List of the Constitution, the Centre did not have powers to incorporate a university. When Mr. Pawar cited the setting up of a Central university in the northeast, Mr. Rajeeve said a precedence could not replace a constitutional provision. He found support in the BJP members.
Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal intervened to say the Concurrent List gave the Centre powers to legislate on education, including technical education, medical education, vocational institutions and training.
As the Opposition members did not relent, Mr. Khan said Mr. Rajeeve should have given prior notice of his objection. The member countered, saying the agenda was circulated only in the morning.
The Chair, however, overruled the objection and put the introduction to vote. The Opposition Benches first shouted “nay” and then sought a ‘division.' Amid the din, Mr. Khan adjourned the House for 30 minutes.
