The Rajasthan assembly was adjourned sine die on Friday after six bills were by passed by a voice vote, two of which being passed without any debate as the BJP refused to participate as a mark of protest.
The legislators were to debate on six bills, including on three new agriculture universities, which turned ugly after the ministers refused to give in to the demand of several legislators from both the opposition and treasury benches to name the Jobner Agriculture University as Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner.
The proposal for amendment to the name was put up by BJP’s Rao Rajendra Singh and supported not only by his party MLAs but several legislators of the ruling party including Pratap Singh Khachariawas.
“The Jobner Agriculture College, which is now being upgraded to a university, is the country’s first agriculture college. It was established on July 1, 1947 by Karan Narendra and the college was named after him. The state government while upgrading it to a university should retain the name,” he demanded. The senior legislator also found support from deputy leader of opposition Ghanshyam Tiwari
The opposition demanded a division of vote as the minister concerned Murarilal Meena refused to give an assurance. A heated argument between the minister and the opposition led to the intervention of parliamentary affairs minister Shanti Dhariwal. “We could not talk to the chief minister but we assure you we will take up the matter in the next cabinet meeting,” Dhariwal said.
The BJP, though, demanded that the minister make an announcement about this in the House, the matter was deferred for later and the bill on Jobner Agriculture University was cleared in the absence of BJP legislators who had staged a walk-out to protest the Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur Bill 2013.
“The state government claims that the Maulana Azad University Bill is introduced as the Marwad Muslim Education and Welfare Society, which will run the university, and has agreed to provide the infrastructure for a year. There are several such trusts which would agree to do so, but can a bill be introduced for all?” said leader of opposition Gulab Chand Kataria, who announced the opposition walk-out.
Taking advantage of their absence, the government passed the Jobner Agriculture University Bill, 2013. However, the government had to face opposition from its legislators. Kachariawas demanded that the minister give an assurance that the university would be named after Karan Narendra. This led to a minor argument between Dhariwal and Khachariawas.
The other bills which were passed are Agriculture University Jodhpur Bill 2013, Rajasthan Agriculture Produce Markets Bill (Amendment) Bill 2013, and Rajasthan Guaranteed Delivery of Public Works (Amendment) Bill, 2013.
src: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/House-adjourned-sine-die-after-six-bills-passed-by-voice-vote/articleshow/22176438.cms