In Aadhaar Debate In Parliament, Arun Jaitley And Sitaram Yechury Spar
The Aadhaar Bill, which has inspired a game of wits between the government and the opposition, was aggressively debated in the Rajya Sabha on the last day before a long break in the budget session.
The opposition, bristling since the proposal was controversially passed in the Lok Sabha last week, questioned the government's right to push the bill.
"I am questioning the competence of this house to legislate the bill," said Left parliamentarian Sitaram Yechury, arguing that the Aadhar Bill was also being considered by the Supreme Court and is beyond "the legislative authority" of the house.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley replied: "This is an unprecedented argument in a democracy which has the separation of powers. Court only has power of judicial review."
Last Friday, in a chess-like strategy, the BJP-led government used its majority in the Lok Sabha to pass the Aadhaar Bill as a "money bill", which means the Rajya Sabha - where the government is in a minority - cannot make changes to it. Also, changes recommended by the Rajya Sabha can be rejected by the Lok Sabha.
"If the principle purpose is money spent out of consolidated fund of India in particular manner and machinery is created for spending that money, it is a money bill," Mr Jaitley said.
The opposition hopes to score the next move by recommending changes to the bill and sending it back to the Lok Sabha. Sources say the Congress will press for four amendments.
There have been precedents in 1977 and 1978 when finance bills were returned to the Lok Sabha with suggestions. The Lok Sabha, however, rejected the amendments.
The Rajya Sabha must discuss a money bill within 14 days of receiving it or it will be "deemed passed."
The government had earlier rejected the opposition's rare demand to extend the sitting of the Rajya Sabha by two days to discuss the bill. The session breaks for a 39-day recess today.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, highlighting what he believed was the inevitable end result of the debate, said: "We are knocking a nail into the coffin of the Upper House. I am sure Lord Krishna had Opposition members of the Rajya Sabha in mind when he advised Arjuna - karmanye vaadhikaraste ma faleshu kadachana (one must do their duty regardless of the outcome)."
The bill gives legal sanction to the unique identification number or Aadhaar as a single window to distribute subsidy and welfare schemes to citizens.
The Aadhaar Bill, which has inspired a game of wits between the government and the opposition, was aggressively debated in the Rajya Sabha on the last day before a long break in the budget session.
The opposition, bristling since the proposal was controversially passed in the Lok Sabha last week, questioned the government's right to push the bill.
"I am questioning the competence of this house to legislate the bill," said Left parliamentarian Sitaram Yechury, arguing that the Aadhar Bill was also being considered by the Supreme Court and is beyond "the legislative authority" of the house.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley replied: "This is an unprecedented argument in a democracy which has the separation of powers. Court only has power of judicial review."
Last Friday, in a chess-like strategy, the BJP-led government used its majority in the Lok Sabha to pass the Aadhaar Bill as a "money bill", which means the Rajya Sabha - where the government is in a minority - cannot make changes to it. Also, changes recommended by the Rajya Sabha can be rejected by the Lok Sabha.
"If the principle purpose is money spent out of consolidated fund of India in particular manner and machinery is created for spending that money, it is a money bill," Mr Jaitley said.
The opposition hopes to score the next move by recommending changes to the bill and sending it back to the Lok Sabha. Sources say the Congress will press for four amendments.
There have been precedents in 1977 and 1978 when finance bills were returned to the Lok Sabha with suggestions. The Lok Sabha, however, rejected the amendments.
The Rajya Sabha must discuss a money bill within 14 days of receiving it or it will be "deemed passed."
The government had earlier rejected the opposition's rare demand to extend the sitting of the Rajya Sabha by two days to discuss the bill. The session breaks for a 39-day recess today.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, highlighting what he believed was the inevitable end result of the debate, said: "We are knocking a nail into the coffin of the Upper House. I am sure Lord Krishna had Opposition members of the Rajya Sabha in mind when he advised Arjuna - karmanye vaadhikaraste ma faleshu kadachana (one must do their duty regardless of the outcome)."
The bill gives legal sanction to the unique identification number or Aadhaar as a single window to distribute subsidy and welfare schemes to citizens.
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