Oppn forces deferment of mines bill

A determined Congress and Left on Thursday night forced the government to defer taking up two crucial legislations related to coal and mining sectors in the Rajya Sabha by a day.

A battle of nerves ensued between the government and Left parties as CPM member P Rajeeve cited rules to refer the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, which was taken up by the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passing, back to the Select Committee as it was not properly debated.

Congress members also joined the Left parties, forcing repeated adjournments to press for the demand to refer the bill again to the Select Committee.

Pushed on the back foot, the Modi government was left with the idea of extending the first part of the Budget Session by a week if the bills are not passed on Friday. The Parliament breaks for a month-long recess on Friday to examine the ministry-wise proposals made in the Union Budget.