Lok Sabha adjourned till Monday; Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill cleared

New Delhi, July 31 (AHN) The Lok Sabha cleared the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill on Friday, amid noisy protests and constant sloganeering by the Opposition.

The Bill, presented by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, was passed through voice vote amid intense chaos and ruckus, as the Opposition Benches amped up pressure on the NDA government for a debate on the Ram Temple donation theft controversy and also chanted slogans demanding accountability from Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police brutality during the students stir in the national Capital over the NEET paper leak.

While the Chair made repeated requests for smooth functioning of the House, the Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans and waving placards. ‘Sadan mein aao (Come to Parliament)’ chants reverberated in the House even as Dilip Saikia, presiding over the House proceedings, sought to conduct the legislative business.

When the House reconvened at 12 noon, many members made their submissions.

Nityanand Rai sought the House’s consent for the Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill and it was passed within minutes without any discussion, amid the din.

The Bill provides that if a birth or death is reported to the Registrar more than one year but within two years after its occurrence, it may be registered only with the approval of the District Magistrate, SDM or Executive Magistrate authorised by the District Magistrate. The amendments have been brought to make provisions for delayed registration more stringent and to encourage timely reporting of births and deaths.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Kiren Rijiju, stood up to denounce the Opposition’s conduct, cautioning them against disruptive tactics when Bills of national importance are being brought in the House.

He claimed that this was discussed and agreed upon in the Business Advisory Committee (BSC), the body that decides the House agenda, and yet the Opposition chose to disrupt rather than discuss the key legislation.

Terming it sad and unfortunate, Rijiju told the Opposition Benches, “People have sent you to the Parliament for discussing and deliberating on key legislative issues and framing laws. You don’t engage in discussion on legislation, then go in public claiming that the government is bulldozing the Bill through the House.”

“This is not correct, you should participate in discussion,” he added.

Dilip Saikia, seconding Rijiju’s advice, said that such conduct will set a bad precedent before the nation and urged the members for constructive dialogue and engagement.

As the ruckus persisted, the Chair adjourned the House till Monday morning.