Opposition in Rajya Sabha attacks government on Insurance Bill introduction in Lok Sabha

Opposition parties on Wednesday renewed its attack on the government for bringing a bill in Lok Sabha to amend the insurance law to allow 49 per cent FDI in the sector, when a similar bill was pending in the Upper House.

Raising the issue CPI(M) MP P Rajeeve said members of Rajya Sabha had on Wednesday  received a copy of the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill introduced in the Lower House of Parliament. He said Article 107 of the Constitution provides that a bill can originate in either Houses of the Parliament. "That means only in one of the two houses."

Since the insurance bill is pending in Rajya Sabha, it is the property of the Upper House and cannot be brought in the Lok Sabha unless it is disposed off, Rajeeve said. "How can property of this House be introduced in the other House," he asked.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the issue was raised by members yesterday and he had reserved his ruling pending study of constitutional provisions. "I have to go through Constitutional provisions and give a ruling," he said. Opposition members however insisted on an urgent ruling, saying otherwise it would create a "bad precedence." Kurien said he would give his ruling soon.