SC/ST quota bill tabled, divides Parliament
The bitter political battle over the Constitution (One Hundred Seventeenth Amendment) Bill, 2012, which provides for reservation to SCs/STs in job promotions, has deeply divided Parliament. The Centre after tabling the legislation on Wednesday indicated that the Bill is unlikely to be passed in the Monsoon Session, prompting the Bahujan Samaj Party, which is in the forefront of introducing reservation to SCs/STs in job promotions, accuse the UPA Government of not being serious on the issue.
The Rajya Sabha also witnessed a scuffle between the two MPs over the issue just after Minister of State for Social Welfare V Narayansamy introduced the Bill, Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Aggarwal and Bahujan Samaj Party MP Avtar Singh Karampuri came to blows. They pushed each other while fighting over the SC/ST quota bill.
Rajya Sabha was later adjourned for the day amid uproar over quota and coal allocation issues.
Soon after the bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha, a blame game began with SP chief Mulayam Singh terming the government’s move as unconstitutional and BSP supremo Mayawati blaming both the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for delaying its passage.
“Though the Bill relating to SC/ST promotion was introduced, it has not been passed yet and for this both Congress and its allies and BJP and its allies are responsible,” Mayawati said.
Replying to the charge levelled by Mayawati, the BJP said that the BSP should first come out with its stand on the issue of corruption. “Where is the BSP on corruption issue? They should join us,” he said,” BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said.
Mulayam, who is opposing the Bill, also said that the UPA government did not consult his party on the issue. “Juniors will become seniors. Is it some kind of a joke? Running the government has become a joke,” he said.
The indication that the Bill will be delayed was given by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held consultations with him and Defence Minister AK Antony. “There is no time now,” Shinde said.
Rajya Sabha shamed
The scuffle between Samajwadi Party MP Naresh Aggarwal and Bahujan Samaj Party MP Avtar Singh Karampuri broke out as soon as Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien asked the government to move the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill, 2012.
Members of SP, a party opposed to the bill, were on their feet and party MP Naresh Agrawal proceeded towards the Well. He was encountered by BSP member Avatar Singh Karimpuri, who grabbed the SP member by his collar to prevent him from trooping into the Well.
Other members from the BSP including Brajesh Pathak immediately intervened and held back Karimpuri.
Amid the commotion, the Bill was introduced by Narayanasamy. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was present when the incident took place.
Six SP members including Ramgopal Yadav and Agrawal then rushed to the Well shouting slogans saying reservations in promotion would not be allowed.
The Bill, if passed, will enable the government to continue the scheme of reservation in promotion for the SC/ST as it existed since 1995.
