The issue of reliability of TV news channels evoked peals of laughter in Rajya Sabha today when a member, supported by some others, demanded to know as to how the contents of the GST Bill were being telecast when the legislation was not even introduced in the Upper House.
Derek O'Brien (Trinamool Congress) raised a point of order during a debate on The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and The Dentists (Amendment) Bill' that GST Bill is the property of the House and how TV channels were showing the proposed amendments.
He said the channels were flashing the amendments and members did not have even its copies. "Protect us," he urged Deputy Chairman P J Kurien.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi responded by saying that there was "no censorship" on TV and the government has not provided any material.
To this, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said it is a Constitutional amendment bill and had not even been taken up in Rajya Sabha.
"If the details of proposed amendment" are already on channels before the bill is circulated among members, the issue is serious and government must inquire into it, he said.
Kurien, however, quipped, "Do you think what channels are showing is correct? My God." This evoked peals of laughters among members.
"How do you know it is genuine? Bill is not even listed," he said and ruled out the point of order.
The long-pending GST bill is expected to be taken up by the Rajya Sabya on Wednesday.
