New Delhi: With just two days left for the Budget Session to disperse for a month-long break, a logjam is developing between the NDA and Congress-led Opposition over the extension of Rajya Sabha sittings to discuss key bills, such as Aadhaar, which the Opposition wants to discuss and make some changes, though it was passed in the Lok Sabha on Friday after being tagged as a money bill.
While this newspaper has reported that at the Rajya Sabha business advisory committee meet on Friday, the government refused to entertain pleas to extend Rajya Sabha sittings by a few days to discuss the Aadhaar Bill, there are indications the Congress and other Opposition parties are studying the Constitution and parliamentary rules closely, to find a loophole to at least embarrass the government, even if they cannot defeat the bill in the Upper House.
As per norms, a money bill can only be discussed by the Rajya Sabha and then has to be returned to the Lok Sabha within 14 days of its passage there. However, Article 109 of the Constitution does provide a window where the Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments to a money bill, which can be accepted or rejected by the Lok Sabha.
The Opposition, sources said, hopes to use this window to embarrass the government in the Upper House, but only if the sittings are extended.
Meanwhile, a PTI report said, however, that the government was in discussion with several parties and some were against extending the first half of the session.
