RS Deputy Chairman Harivansh looks to treasury bench ere passing Bills: CPI MP

CPI (M) Rajya Sabha MP KK Ragesh on Tuesday told ETV Bharat that Lower House Deputy Chairman Harivansh always seeks the government approval before passing the Bills in the House. He alleged that whenever Harivansh needs to pass an order or direction, he looks to the treasury bench for some kind of signal.

New Delhi:With opposition deciding to boycott the remaining days of the Monsson session, CPI (M) Rajya Sabha MP KK Ragesh on Tuesday told ETV Bharat that the opposition parties will continue their fight against 'government's anti-people and anti-farmer policies'.

"We have raised the issue of introducing farm bill in the parliament. The bill would provide ease for the corporate and hence hamper the farmers and agriculture sector of the country", said Ragesh to ETV Bharat.

Rajesh has moved the three motions in the Rajya Sabha including two statutory motions against the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance and the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Service Ordinance and another motion demanding that the Bills based on the Ordinance must be sent to a select committee of the Parliament.

"We wanted a division on the Bill before it gets passed by the government. But we never get the chance," added Ragesh.

The CPI (M) leader said that the opposition leaders demanded the government to assure the farmers to provide the minimum support price for every agriculture products.

The MP said that he also wanted to make MSP mandatory even in case of private procurement.

Ragesh is among eight MPs who were suspended by the Rajya Sabha chairman following their 'unruly behaviour' in the House.

"We simply lodged out protest against Government's arrogant attitude in passing the controversial Bills," said Ragesh.

Interestingly, Ragesh and seven other MPs from different parties were offered with tea by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh on Tuesday morning.

"If he was so serious, why did not he listen to us. In fact, he was working in a partisan way. Whenever he needs to pass an order or direction, he looks to the treasury bench for some kind of signal," said Ragesh.

The deputy chairman has also written a letter to vice president and Rajya Sabha chairman Venkiah Naidu expressing his grief over the unruly behaviour of the opposition MPs. Harivansh is also observing one day fast opposing such an incident.