Congress accuses govt of making rules for key appointments against procedures

NEW DELHI: The Congress today accused the government of making rules related to appointments and other service conditions in various tribunals including the NGT against "all procedures".

Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Jairam Ramesh (Congress) said during the passage of the Finance Bill, the Opposition had pointed out that a number of amendments were being sought to be carried out to other Acts through the guise of a Money Bill.

"We were assured that the substance of the Acts was not going to be changed," he said.

However, Ramesh said, that on June 1, the Finance Ministry issued rules for the appointment of members, terms of office, removal of members, service conditions of a number of tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

"This goes against all the procedures and all the rules. Rules cannot supersede Acts. If the government wants to amend an Act, they must have the courage to come to the House and seek amendments to the Act.

"This backhanded way of amending important Acts is unacceptable. This is complete emasculation of all the procedures of Parliament," Ramesh said.

He said the NGT has been completely emasculated through this backdoor way of amending Acts.

Echoing Ramesh views, his party colleague Anand Sharma said the matter is very fundamental to the very functioning of Parliament.

He charged that through the Finance Bill, so many Acts have been amended.

"There is also strong objection in writing by the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission of India saying that, through the Finance Bill, the Representation of the People Act has been amended.

"The Representation of the People Act and the Finance Bill have no connection. This is how the Government is functioning," Sharma said.

He said the government brings everything as the Finance Bill to "evade and avoid" legislative scrutiny.

Congress leaders sought discussion on the matter.

Sharad Yadav of JD (U) said it was a serious matter and should be discussed in the House at the earliest.