Delhi services bill: Amit Shah demands probe over select panel list

Home minister Amit Shah demanded an investigation into how Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha included three Rajya Sabha members as a part of a proposed list for a select committee on Delhi the services bill, ostensibly without their consent.

AIADMK MP Thambidurai, BJD MP Sasmit Patra and the Bharatiya Janata Party’s BJP’s Konyak Phangnon cited rules to object to the inclusion of their names in a select committee list that Chadha proposed for the Delhi services bill, as an amendment to the legislation.

While the proposed amendment was defeated by voice vote, Shah took exception to it and urged deputy chairman Harivansh to constitute a probe and “refer to a privilege committee” how these MPs were included without their consent.

Patra cited Rule 72 of the Rajya Sabha to say that he never signed any proposal to constitute a select panel to review the bill. He, too, demanded a probe. AIDMK’s Thambidurai objected to inclusion of his name in the list, and called for a probe. Konyak, too, recorded her objection saying she was never consulted.

Harivansh later announced that a probe will be initiated.

A person close to the AAP, however, contended that nowhere in the rules of procedure of business is there a requirement of written consent or signature of the member whose name has been proposed, and added that there is a precedent to ensure diverse representation on all such select panels. The names were given in good faith for a non-partisan panel, and can be withdrawn if the members are not keen to join the panel, the person added.