Govt. Securities Bill taken up in RS amid protests, walkout

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha today passed The Central Silk Board (Amendment) Bill, 2005, and The Produce Cess Laws (Abolition) Bill, 2006, and took up for discussion, amid a walkout by SP, AIADMK and TDP, the Government Securities Bill, 2006.

While the earlier two Bills were passed without much discussion in the absence of adequate number of members in the House, the Securities Bill was taken up amid protests by the opposition leaders who demanded that it be taken up some other day as many members were absent and would not be able to participate in the discussions even though three hours had been allotted to it.

There was heated discussion for about 20 minutes between the opposition and the Congress members on whether the Securities Bill should be introduced or not.

Mr Amar Singh (SP) and Mr S S Ahluwalia (BJP) said the members had been assured that today's business would not be long. As a result, most members were absent and would not be able to take part in the discussion.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachauri, however, insisted that the Bill be taken up as it had been listed while the handful of opposition members present opposed.

Vice Chairman Kalraj Mishra tried to pacify the agitated members and took up Special Mentions. He said he would take a decision on the issue after the Special Mentions.

After the Special Mentions, the Vice Chairman asked Finance Minister P Chidambaram to introduce the Securities Bill amid a walkout by SP, TDP and AIADMK members.

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