JOIN USThe controversial Real Estate Bill, that seeks to regulate realty business, was today put off indefinitely after a united opposition insisted on sending it to a Select Committee of Parliament in Rajya Sabha where the ruling NDA is in a minority.
The Real Estate (Amendment) Bill was listed for consideration and passing but opposition members objected to this, saying Housing and Poverty Alleviation Minister Venkaiah Naidu had assured the House that it will be brought only after consultations with various parties.
The issue was raised by Naresh Agrawal of Samajwadi Party and he was joined by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad. Both demanded that the bill be referred to a Select Committee. Derek O'Brien (TMC) also joined to make the same demand.
Sensing the mood, the government, which faces numbers crunch in the Upper House, said it was not insisting on taking up the bill even though it was listed.
Naidu said he had informed the House that he would not take up the bill for consideration till consultations wth parties is over.
"I have started consulting political parties. I could not complete the consultations due to the holidays. I have talked to some people on telephone and talked to some others today... I am not pursuing the bill till the consultation process is complete," he said.
Naidu said he would like the House to consider, before the end of this session on May 13, whether or not to send the bill to a Select Committee. However, some members objected to this also, prompting the Minister to say that he will bring the bill only after after consultations are completed.
The Minister said the bill has been listed as "a matter of abundant caution" as business has been carried forward for today.
"As a matter of abundant caution, the business has been carried forward. The consultation process is on. I will keep the assurance given by me. I also have in mind the suggestion of sending the bill to a Select Committee," Naidu said.
Earlier on April 29 also, the government was forced to defer the bill after opposition insisted on sending it to a Select Committee for proper scrutiny.
The development came against the backdrop of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi vowing to oppose the bill. He has alleged that the bill would favour builders at the cost of middle-class flat buyers.