Lok Sabha passes bill to amend general insurance law without debate paving way for privatisation

Sitharaman sought to counter the criticism by stating that private sector companies were providing better insurance to people at a lesser premium.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, August 2, 2021. (Photo | PTI)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman speaks in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, August 2, 2021. (Photo | PTI)

NEW DELHI: The Parliament logjam continued as the third week of monsoon session commenced on Monday, with the Opposition sticking to its stand on the Pegasus issue and the government maintaining the trend of taking up legislative business without discussion. Both Houses saw repeated adjournments before finally being adjourned till Tuesday. 

In the Lower House of Parliament, the Opposition MPs surrounded the Chair to raise the demand for a probe into the snooping case. Visibly irritated, Speaker Om Birla argued with the agitating MPs that crores of rupees of public money were being wasted due to the disruptions. 

He said the members were elected by the people from their respective constituencies to raise issues of public interest in the House. However, there were no signs of the Opposition MPs lowering their aggression. The government, too, stayed firm in not yielding to their demand that either the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister should reply to the discussions on Pegasus.     

Ignoring the ruckus, the Speaker carried the question hour for 37 minutes before adjourning the proceedings for 13 minutes. As the House reconvened, the official business was hurriedly taken up before another adjournment. 

In the afternoon, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sought the nod of the House to the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill, 2021. The leader of the Congress in the House, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in his brief remark said the government was encouraging crony capitalism in the name of privatisation.

Sitharaman countered the Opposition saying the agitating MPs had nothing to discuss and were therefore creating ruckus. The Bill was passed by voice vote. Earlier, the Tribunals Reform Bill, 2021, was also introduced in the Lok Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha also saw repeated adjournments with the Opposition pushing for a discussion on Pegasus. The Centre managed to pass the Inland Vessels Bill, 2021, following a brief debate even as the Opposition tore its copies and shouted slogans. Opposition MPs called to speak on the bill talked about the Pegasus issue.   

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he was willing to consider discussion on farmers’ problems if the members allowed the House to function. Sources said the productivity of the Upper House fell to 13.70 per cent during second week from 32.20 per cent during the previous one.

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