New Delhi: The government is likely to push a fresh bill to amend the Insurance Act and replace a related ordinance after withdrawing the previous proposed legislation from Rajya Sabha.
The much-debated proposal mooted by the law ministry at a high-level meeting on Monday was questioned by other ministries. They have also suggested moving only a few amendments to the pending insurance bill.
CPM leader Sitaram Yechury told Hindustan Times, “The Narendra Modi government is resorting to sheer manipulation. This appears to be a ploy to take the pending bill out of the Rajya Sabha and use their tyranny of majority in the Lok Sabha.”
Yechury added that if the government moves a new bill then it will first have to be sent to the standing committee for a fresh review.
It is learnt that unlike Lok Sabha, government needs opposition's support in Rajya Sabha to get the bill passed as NDA has only 64 MPs in the 243-member Upper House.
However, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that he was skeptical about government's move with regard to the bill.
In the earlier parliament sessions, the opposition had preferred a status quo i.e. it neither defeated the insurance bill on the floor of the Upper House nor did it allow the government to withdraw it.
Former Lok Sabha secretary general TK Vishwanathan said, “The government can move necessary amendments to the existing bill. But finally, it is for the government to decide which route to follow … amendments or a redrafted new bill.”
The Act will reportedly allow 49% foreign investment. Last time, the government took the ordinance route to enact the law after it failed to pass the bill in the winter session.
