Rajya Sabha sets record, passes five bills in few hours

NEW DELHI: In a record of sorts, five bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha today, which has been under attack for delaying in the passage of key legislations.

The bills, including some key finance legislations, were passed during the course of a few hours in the post-lunch period.

The Upper House is likely to be adjourned sine die tomorrow, a day ahead of the schedule.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi thanked the members as also Deputy Chairman P J Kurien for sitting till past 8 PM to pass the key bills today.

"I thank the members of all parties and the Chair for sitting long and setting a record in the passage of five bills today itself," he said in the House.

Kurien also thanked all members and parties for passing so many bills in a short span of time.

Among the Bills passed today include The Finance Bill, 2016, The Appropriation (No 2) Bill, 2016, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, The Rajendra Central Agricultural University Bill, 2015 and The Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill 2015.

The last two bills were passed without any discussion.

Incidently, the bill to upgrade the Rajendra Agricultural University in Bihar into a central university was passed both by Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on the same day, it being a rare development.