RS Chairman asks Govt to explain delay in tribals rights bill

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Respecting the sentiments of a united opposition over the delay in the introduction of Tribals Rights Bill in Parliament, Rajya Sabha Chairperson Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today directed the Government to explain the delay and tell the House when it was introducing the Bill.

The issue was raised through supplementaries during Question Hour and the Samajwadi Party, the Janata Dal (United), BJP, TDP, AIADMK, All India Trinamool Congress and the CPI-M and other Left parties put up a joint front against the Government, alleging that tribal welfare was not at all on its agenda.

When Minister of State for Home and Tribal Affairs P R Kyndiah said the Bill would now go to a Group of Ministers, headed by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Ms Brinda Karat of the CPI-M said there was no need for further examination of the Bill once it has been studied, examined and cleared by the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Mr Sharad Yadav of the JD(U) said the Minister had not replied to the main question asked by Mr Motilal Sarkar of the CPI-M. He demanded that the Minister tell in clear terms when the Bill would be introduced and why it had been delayed after clearance by the JPC.

Members from all other opposition parties, including Mr Amar Singh of the Samajwadi Party and Mr A S Ahluwalia of the BJP, got up and seconded Mr Yadav's and Ms Karat's arguments. They alleged that the Minister was not giving a clear cut answer to the question and demanded that the government come out with a time frame for introducing the Bill.

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