Insurance Bill not taken up in Rajya Sabha as Oppn stalls proceedings

The Insurance (Amendment) Bill could not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. The Opposition parties disrupted proceedings demanding an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the alleged forced religious conversions in Uttar Pradesh. The upper House was adjourned six times amid protests.

According to sources, Modi is likely to be out of the national capital for electoral campaigning on Wednesday and is expected to be in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s Derek O 'Brien moved a breach of privilege motion against the leader of the House, Arun Jaitley, for allegedly misleading the Rajya Sabha on the celebration of Good Governance Day by Navodaya Vidyalayas on Christmas. The Opposition has alleged that Jaitley misled the House, claiming there was no circular. Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury read the circular directing events, including online essays, to be held by schools on December 25.

The Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Janata Dal (United) and TMC members trooped into the well of the House shouting "Dharam ka sauda band karo (stop selling religion)".

Attempts by the ruling members and Jaitley to defend the government angered the Opposition. Jaitley accused the Opposition of being interested only in "anarchy" and not in discussion.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said, "If the government is interested in having the House function, the prime minister should come to the House."

While Congress members say they are not opposed to the Bill as most of their concerns have been addressed, they are not willing to break ranks with the Opposition. On the other hand, the non-Congress Opposition, led by the TMC and the Left, are in no mood to allow the Bill to be taken up in the current session and are intent on stalling the House till the end of the session.

The fate of the coal Bill in the House appears uncertain. While the Bill has cleared the lower House, the Congress is not willing to back it. Party insiders say the Bill could be sent to the Select Committee and taken up in the Budget session.

Despite Deputy Chairman P J Kurien making repeated requests that the House should not be held to ransom, the Opposition refused to relent. The government attempted to withdraw the Anti Hijacking Bill, 2010, but it was not allowed by the Chair.

The Opposition refused to allow Jaitley to speak on privilege notice, citing the rule book that it was for the Chair to take a decision in the matter and that he could not defend himself.