Pranab displays defensive skills

NEW DELHI: The Left parties on Monday ran into external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee, literally, in their bid to prevent the government from introducing the crucial insurance reforms bill in Parliament.

The veteran Congressman ensured that minister of state for finance Pawan Bansal tabled the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, unharmed. The bill proposes to raise foreign equity in Indian insurance companies from 26% to 49%. It also seeks to allow nationalised general insurance firms to raise money from the market.
On a day when the house was already in turmoil over the remarks of minority affairs minister AR Antulay, the insurance bill only added fuel to the fire.

As soon as Bansal rose to introduce the bill, CPI(M) member TK Rangarajan dashed towards him to snatch the copy. An agitated Mukherjee caught and pushed the CPI(M) member away while Meira Kumar shielded Bansal. In the din, deputy chairman K Rahman Khan adjourned the house till 2pm.

The CPI(M), helped by new-found friends AIADMK and TDP, appeared determined to stall the bill. Led by Brinda Karat, CPI(M) members rushed into the well of the house while CPI members stood on their seats and shouted slogans. All through the din, the opposition BJP, which is not opposed to reforms in the insurance sector, stayed away from the Left protests.

The Lok Sabha also saw protests by the Left, which opposed introduction of the bill that seeks to raise LIC’s capital to Rs100 crore. The bill was introduced after the Left lost by 39 to 106 votes during a division.