Government fails to move reservation bill

A bill for the reservation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in civil services has faced a road block and was not moved in parliament on Wednesday.

The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Reservation in Posts and Services) Bill, 2008 was not moved in the Lok Sabha following an advisory from the Law Ministry asking the government to first consult the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha without discussion in December last year.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Santosh Gangwar asked the government if the bill will be moved.

Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Prithviraj Chavan said the government has received a legal advice from the Law Ministry asking it for "mandatory consultations" with the chairman of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission.

The government has informed the speaker in writing that the bill needs a review.

"Consultation with national commission is necessary," Chavan said.

Not satisfied with the reply, Bahujan Samaj Samaj (BSP) and Samajwadi Party MPs staged noisy protests in the house.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi assured the house that the clauses in the bill, which generated controversy and the word "desirable" will be removed.

Unsatisfied over the reply given by the minister, BSP members later staged a walkout from the house.