New Delhi: Government faced embarrassment in
the Rajya Sabha today as it was forced to defer a key
education reforms bill following strong opposition from
members cutting across party lines.
HRD Minister Kapil Sibal had to make a hasty retreat after
the Education Tribunal Bill, 2010 came under all round attack
including from senior Congress leader K Keshava Rao.
This is despite the fact that the bill, seeking to create
a mechanism for providing speedy resolution of disputes
pertaining to higher education institutions, was passed by Lok
Sabha on August 26. UPA does not have a majority in the Upper
House.
"Considering the sentiments of honourable members of this
House, I request that the consideration of the bill be
deferred to the next session," Sibal said.
The minister at the same time disagreed with the
apprehensions expressed by the opposition saying, "We are not
in anyway infringing upon the rights of the states. It's a
significant piece of legislation and if members want a larger
debate, we have no problem."
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 18:42