Parliamentary proceedings | Protests in Lok Sabha as Centre introduces contentious Electricity (Amendment) Bill
The Hindu
Opposition accuses government of not consulting States over amendments to a Concurrent List subject
Amid vociferous protests by Opposition members, the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that seeks to give multiple players open access to distribution networks of power suppliers and allow consumers to choose any service provider, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
While the Opposition MPs called the Bill “anti-farmer” and a violation of the promise the Centre had made to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) that had led the farmers’ agitation against the now repealed farm laws, Power Minister R K Singh argued that the Bill is “pro-people” and “pro-farmer”.
Soon after its introduction, Mr. Singh urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer the Bill, which seeks to amend the Electricity Act, 2003, to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for wider consultations and address the concerns raised by the Opposition.
The Bill is aimed at allowing private players in the field of electricity distribution on the lines of telecom service providers; consumers will then have the option to choose their own electricity supplier.
Opposing the introduction of the Bill, Congress’ Manish Tewari and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, RSP MP N K Premachandran, Trinamool member Saugata Roy, DMK leader T R Baalu and CPI(M)‘s M A Arif said the proposed legislation is against the federal structure of the Constitution.
While Mr. Premachandran said electricity was on the Concurrent List and it was the “bounden duty” of the Centre to have “effective consultations” with State governments, Mr. Tewari said the Bill envisages allowing multiple private companies to provide electricity in the same area, a provision that could lead to “privatisation of profits and nationalisation of losses”.
Mr. Roy and Mr. Arif said the Bill was contrary to the assurances given by the Narendra Modi government to the SKM, which had then demanded the shelving of proposed amendments to the Electricity Act.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.