* ‘Fate of several bills passed in LC not known’
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 1: Members, not only from Opposition but even those from the ruling coalition lodged their strong protest as the Minister gave wrong reply creating confusion in the Upper House, forcing Chairman Amrit Malhotra to summon record in the House on Monday while NPP Member Syed Rafiq Shah staged walk out alleging that Government and even the people in the Lower House have taken this House for granted as the fate of several bills which were passed in the Legislative Council was not known till today after the lapse of two to three years.
The issue generated lot of heat and the Government had to face embarrassment as the members including those from NC, Congress and NPP grilled the Minister and sought reply from the Government that fate of the Bill must be known to the entire House. They also alleged that this House is not taken seriously by the Government and even the Bills passed here are never taken care of in the Legislative Assembly while majority of the Bills which after being passed in the Assembly are cleared in the Upper House within a day or two.
While members including Naresh Kumar Gupta, Ghulam Nabi Monga from Congress, Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri, Devender Singh Rana, Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy from National Conference and National Panthers Party member Syed Rafiq Shah lodged their strong protest, seeking reply, the NPP legislator staged walk out as a mark of protest.
This situation was created when the NC member introduced Private Member’s Bill, regarding “A Bill to repeal the Enemy Agents Ordinance 2005 ( 1948 AD). Ordinance No. VIII of 2005 LC Private Members Bill No. 3 of 2014.
Minister for Planning Ajay Kumar Sadhotra was responding on behalf of Law Minister and he opposed the Bill on behalf of Government. He also claimed that there was no need to repeal the Ordinance as the situation does not allow its introduction. He also said that in view of the pull out of the forces from Afghanistan, there may be some impact on the J&K and therefore, Government does not feel it appropriate to go for repealing it, because it is still needed in the State. Therefore, the members should withdraw it.
Then suddenly Naresh Kumar Gupta and Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy stood up and claimed that this Bill is already introduced in the House two years back and it was supported by several members and passed. Mr Sadhotra was then simply an MLC and not Minister and had supported the bill. It is strange that now bill is being opposed.
Mr Sadhotra then said if the Bill stand passed it is good. They may approach some member of the Legislative Assembly to introduce and get it passed there. Devender Singh Rana stood up and pleaded the Chairman that if the Bill was passed two years back in this House then where does it lies now. What is the status, the House wants to know it. Sheikh Ghulam Rasool then said it was matter of serious concern that the Bills passed in the Upper House are never taken care of.
It is very serious matter because it is the question of the sanctity of this House. Suhrawardy also reminded that Ghulam Hassan Mir was responding on behalf of the Bill and it had been introduced by Naresh Gupta then. As the members including G N Monga, Dr Veeri, Mr Rana, Rafiq Shah, Ashraf Mir and others lodged strong protest the Chairman asked the Government to put its record straight.
Later, after discussion with the Secretary of the Council, the Minister again stood up and said that he has verified the facts and it was known that bill was never passed in the House. The members then got agitated. Mr Suhrawardy even claimed that it was introduced by Naresh Gupta and Ghulam Hassan Mir was lone Minister sitting then. This issue generated lot of heat. About a dozen members stood up and lodged strong protest.
Naresh Gupta then pointed out that four Bills including Shrine Board for Chandi Machhail Yatra, Amendment in Cooperative Laws, Amendment in PRC Act and Amendment in Prevention & Suppression of Sabotaging Act were passed in the House in last three years but their fate was not known. He pointed out that Bills passed in this House for the welfare of the public are never considered in the Lower House which is unfortunate, whereas, those passed in Lower House are cleared instantly in the Upper House. The Government must reply the House. It was followed by severe grilling of the Minister. Minister Incharge Social Welfare Sakina Itoo tried to defend the colleague but she also had to face the wrath of the agitated members.
The Chairman then issued directions to the Government to produce the facts/ record in the House on Monday and also tell about the fate of the other Bills in the House. He asked the Government to take the proceedings of the House seriously.
Meanwhile, total seven Private members Bills were moved in the House for introduction, out of which six were withdrawn by members after assurance from the Government. Jugal Kishore Sharma moved a Bill to prohibit the sale of liquor and meat at Mata Vaishnodevi shrine and Katra and its surroundings. (LC Private Members Bill No 5 of 2014) However, it was defeated with voice vote. Naresh Gupta moved a Bill to amend State Ranbir Panel Code 1989 (1932 AD) ( LC Pvt Members Bill No. 2 of 2014) and a Bill to amend Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996 ( LC Bill No. 2 of 2014). Dr Shehnaz Ganai moved a Bill to lay down an obligation to publish citizens charter and address grievances of the public in a time bound manner ( LC Pvt members Bill No. 6 of 2017) and a Bill to amend Jammu and Kashmir Pachayati Raj Act 1989 ( LC Pvt members Bill No. 2014).
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