The government has suffered a major embarrassment on Monday after the absence of almost 30 NDA MPs saw the opposition ramming through amendments to a bill to grant statutory status to the National Commission for Backward Classes.
The development took place despite Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s recent caution over absenteeism in the Rajya Sabha. The hindrance was humiliating for the Centre as it has piloted the National Commission for Backward Classes Bill to entice the politically significant backward castes.
The ministers who were absent from the upper house included Vijay Goel, Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal, M J Akbar and Ramdas Athawale. The AIADMK ranks were also missing along with Akali leaders such as Naresh Gujral.
Poor floor management caused empty rows and hindered clutch of amendments that foresee representation for a woman and Muslim members in the NCBC. The alteration also calls for increasing the members from three to four, protection of states’ rights and ensuring all members of the commission are OBCs.
As Clause 3 failed to get a two-third vote as required for a constitutional amendment, it was dropped from the bill. When the bill was finally put to vote, it was cleared by 124 to 0 votes. However, the opposition backed amendments went through by 74 votes to 52.
The missing of members in the NDA benches was shocking. The dropped clause pertains powers of the National Commission for Backward Classes.
