With no breakthrough in talks between the government and Opposition, the Insurance Bill is not likely to be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. With the Opposition seeking to refer it to a Select Committee, it is expected to come up in the House next week.
Although the government is in talks with smaller Opposition parties, sources indicated that without the Congress on board the government may not be able to muster the numbers it requires to get the Bill passed in Rajya Sabha, where it is not in majority.
Apparently the Congress suggested that the government could on its own initiate a motion to refer the Bill to the Select Committee. In such a situation, the government’s motion will take precedence and need not be voted upon. The Congress will then cooperate to return the Bill “quickly’’ for passage.
However, for now, the government does not appear inclined to take this suggestion on board and wants the Bill to be passed in this session itself.
