Government withdraws Coal Mines (Spl Prov) Bill from Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Amidst din over demand by Congress MPs seeking resignation of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill 2014 was today withdrawn by the government from the Rajya Sabha.

The House witnessed much chaos as Congress members sought removal of Gadkari from the council of ministers over the findings of a CAG report, but as soon as the House met after lunch, Deputy Speaker P J Kurien who was in the Chair pushed for the motion on the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2014.

As Congress MPs continued raising slogans, Coal Minister Piyush Goyal sought leave of the House to withdraw the Bill. Amidst the din, the motion was adopted by voice vote and the Bill was withdrawn.

The withdrawal of the Bill had become necessary after Parliament gave its assent to the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015, relating to the same issues.