Narendra Modi government passes TRAI Bill 2014 in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: The NDA government on Monday easily managed passage of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill (TRAI Bill), 2014, in the Lok Sabha, to help clear the bottle neck in the appointment of Nripendra Misra as principal secretary to the prime minister. The fact that barring Congress, Left, RJD and AAP, the rest of non-NDA parties tactically helped the government to push the bill by acceding to a voice vote advertised that the bill could glide through even in the Rajya Sabha where the ruling front is in a minority.

Even as the Trinamool Congress did a conspicuous U-turn to soften its initial Opposition to the bill, BSP chief Mayawati announced outside Parliament that her party will not oppose the bill when it comes to the Rajya Sabha. Sensing the overwhelming tactical support to the bill from many Opposition parties, Congress, Left, RJD and AAP opted to stage a walk-out than pressing for a vote.

While the passage of the Bill in the Lok Sabha was a forgone conclusion, the tactical backing given to the government by many non-NDA parties, including Trinamool, AIADMK, BJD, SP and UPA member NCP showed the bill may see a similar line-up in the Rajya Sabha too.

The bill seeks to provide legislative framework to an ordinance brought by the government, to amend the Act which prohibited its chairman and members from taking up any other job in the central or state governments after demitting office. Misra, a retired IAS, is a former chairman of Trai.

Before the bill was taken up for passing, Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury moved a statutory resolution seeking disapproval of the House on the bill, which was defeated.

Chowdhury said: “We have no personal agenda in this. But the fact is that the government is not letting the legislature prevail. This is worrisome…The ordinance was conceptualised and passed at a lightning speed smacking of a hidden agenda,” he said. But the dramatic moment of the day was Trinamool supporting the bill, just days after the party vehemently opposed its introduction in the House.

TMC member Sudip Bandopadhyay said: “We support the bill. The prime minister can choose any officer whom he thinks fit”. This U-turn prompted Trinamool Congress’ Saugata Roy’s who was scheduled to move statutory resolution against the bill, making himself absent in the House. There was no explanation as to why Trinamool did a volte-face.