Rajya Sabha: Oppn boycott aids Union govt to get 15 bills cleared in two days

Fifteen bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha over the last two days even as the Opposition boycotted proceedings in both the Houses over the suspension of eight members for the ruckus caused on Sunday over the passage of the farm bills.

Seven of the bills were passed on Tuesday, and eight on Wednesday. Three of the bills passed were the controversial labour laws that have been opposed by most labour unions, including one affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological mentor of the BJP.

Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu, in his valedictory address, recalled other incidents when bills were passed after walkouts by members.

Naidu gave his valedictory speech since the Parliament adjourned its session sine die on Wednesday amid fears over the spread of COVID-19 among lawmakers.

“Shri Naidu said there have been a number of precedents when the bills were approved in the wake of boycott or walkout by some members. In this context, he cited the passage of Finance Bill and Appropriation Bill in 2013,” a tweet from Naidu’s official handle as the Vice-President read.

The suspension of eight members of the Rajya Sabha over Sunday’s ruckus was “unpleasant but inevitable,” Naidu said.

It was the right of the opposition to protest, “but the question is how should it be done”, Naidu said, adding that he was “duty bound to uphold the dignity of the Upper House”.

Related news: Stormy RS session ends on COVID fears, Oppn to continue farm bill stir

Naidu also claimed that boycott for a longer time deprives the members of the opportunity to effectively convey their ideas.

The Opposition members had decided on Monday to boycott proceedings in both Houses after eight members were suspended for the chaos that ensued after Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh refused to hold a physical voting on farm bills as demanded by the members.

The leaders had then marched to the Well of the House, tore up papers, and tried to wrench mics away.

They had also “physically threatened” Hairvansh Singh, and moved a no-confidence motion against him.

However, Naidu dismissed the motion against Singh soon after.