New Delhi: The government is likely to push on Monday the passage of a key sports bill in the Lok Sabha, amid a continuing deadlock in Parliament as the opposition’s united demand for a discussion on SIR failed to draw a positive response from the ruling alliance.
The Lower House has listed the National Sports Governance Bill, which envisages greater transparency in the functioning of sports bodies, for consideration and passage.
The Rajya Sabha has listed for passage on Monday a resolution from Home Minister Amit Shah on the extension of the President’s rule in Manipur by another six months with effect from August 13.
Except for a two-day discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in both the Houses, parliamentary proceedings have been all but a washout since the Monsoon session began on July 21, as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has ignited vociferous protests from opposition parties.
The INDIA bloc, which has in previous sessions often spoken in different voices, has joined ranks over the issue, alleging the Election Commission’s exercise is aimed at removing voters sympathetic to its agenda and boosting the prospects of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.
The EC has said it will roll out the exercise nationally to “protect” the integrity of electoral rolls to ensure that only eligible voters are allowed to cast votes. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has accused the EC of “vote chori” (stealing votes) and has been fiercely critical of the poll body.
The EC had, in a statement on Saturday, rejected Gandhi’s allegations as “baseless”, “unsubstantiated” and “misleading”.With the government paying little heed to the demand for a discussion on SIR in Parliament, the Opposition has been unsparing in its protest in Parliament, forcing repeated adjournments.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has maintained that it is for the Chair of the two Houses to decide on the Opposition’s demand per the rules.
