JOIN USTrouble started when JD Seelam (Cong) demanded reservation for SC/ST and OBC students in Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram, soon after HRD minister Kapil Sibal moved the bill which seeks to upgrade it to institute of national importance.
As Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan was about to ask for a voice vote for passage of the bill without discussion, Jesudasu Seelam (Cong) stood up, raising the issue of reservation in institutes of national importance.
This prompted members of BSP, RJD and LJP along with the Left parties to seek proper discussion on the bill.
Seelam was joined by BSP members, who raised the issue of reservation in institutes of national importance,including the IITs, saying that the reserved categories had negligible representation in the faculty of such institutes.
S C Mishra (BSP) accused Congress and BJP of reaching an understanding for passage of the Bill without debate.
The trouble got aggravated after HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said that while there is reservation in admissions in the institutions of national importance, there was no such provision in the case of faculty.
Amidst acrimonious scenes, Khan adjourned the House for 15 minutes in the afternoon.
Soon after, Union Ministers P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Pawan Bansal and party leader Janardan Dwivedi were seen trying to reason out with Seelam. The leaders were visibly upset with Seelam whose question prompted BSP and others to stall the proceedings.
Seeing Seelam in a huddle with Congress leaders, members from BSP and BJP told him that he should not be afraid and stick to his stand.
When the House reassembled and Sibal clarified that there was no provision of reservation in the faculty, members from the BSP, RJD and LJP rushed into the well and shouted slogans against the Government.
At this stage, BJP also expressed displeasure with Sibal's reply. The Chair then adjourned the House for 30 minutes.
The bill, which has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, could not be taken up later, as the House was adjourned for the day after Home Minister's statement on Delhi blast.
Commenting on the development a senior minister speaking on condition of anonymity said "it was a surprise for me also".
He felt the problem arose due to lack of understanding of the issue as while there is no provision for admission in faculty, reservation in admission is provided but that is not mentioned in bills.
Another party MP said that it was "uncalled for and unnecessary" for Seelam to raise the issue.
"Had he not raised the issue, the bill would have been passed." In the House, Tiruchi Siva (DMK)said if the bill was not passed in this session, Government's ordinance in this regard would lapse.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said that the bill will be listed for tomorrow, the last day of the Monsoon session.
Sources in Government also said the HRD minister is consulting all political parties to make a consensus on the issue to ensure its passage tomorrow.
Kapil Sibal's Education Tribunal Bill 2010, a key measure for reforms in education, had faced similar problems in last year's monsoon session and it is yet to be passed. The bill was listed for consideration in Rajya Sabha today as well.