Union Govt. Decides To Prorogue Rajya Sabha And Promulgate Ordinance On Land Acquisition

27 March, New Delhi

Government Friday decided to prorogue the Rajya Sabha and repromulgate the Ordinance on Land Acquisition, which lapses on 5th of next month.

Talking to reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs in New Delhi, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu said that the Committee has recommended prorogation of the Rajya Sabha with immediate effect.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbsas Naqvi.

Sources said that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who could not attend the meeting, was also earlier taken on board on the decision.

The Budget session of Parliament is currently on a month-long recess and for issuing an ordinance when the Parliament is in session, at least one of the Houses has to be prorogued.

The new ordinance may carry the nine official amendments moved by the government during passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha.

Sources also said that senior ministers assigned responsibility to consult leaders of the various political parties have reached out to key leaders. The government will try its best to bring the Land bill in Rajya Sabha to replace the Ordinance in the second half of the Budget session reconvening on 20th of next month.

The opposition parties are against the passage of the bill in its current form particularly on the issue of giving away the social impact assessment and consent clauses.