Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, who has warned the Centre of a ”tougher stand”, on Wednesday charged the Congress-led UPA Government of not being serious on the bill seeking to provide quota for SC/STs in promotions in government jobs.
“I think the way drama is going on, the Central Government is not serious about. I don”t think they are serious about reservation in promotion for the SC and the ST. They don”t want to pass the bill,” she told mediapersons outside the Parliament here.
Mayawati claimed that her outburst in the Rajya Sabha today was only the first step in this regard.
“It is the responsibility of the government and the chairman, not ours, then we will have to take a tough stand. We took the tough stand in the Rajya Sabha in the first phase itself today. I will inform you (media) our next course of action,” she added.
The BSP chief, who was protesting against the frequent disruption over a Bill for providing reservation in promotion to SC/STs in government jobs, earlier today surprised all and questioned Rajya Sabha chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari for not initiating action against those members who were disrupting business in the upper house.
“I am not ready to listen to anything. We have seen in the last few days that every day the House is not allowed to function after 12 p.m. It is your responsibility to ensure that it functions. Who will ensure that it functions,” Mayawati told the chair from the Well as also from her seat.
“You are not seen here after 12p.m….. What kind of House is this? You have to take decision that what has to be done for this (ensuring the functioning of the House),” she added.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath, however, said that he would hold discussions with the Samajwadi Party leaders to break the deadlock.
“The Samajwadi Party doesn”t want this business (bill) to be taken up. I will be in the discussion with them and find a resolution to that too. All situations are difficult in parliament,” he said.
Mayawati had earlier on Monday warned the Congress-led UPA Government of taking ”a tough stand” if it does not push through new legislation that would reserve promotions in government jobs for those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC/STs)
The quota bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in the Monsoon Session, but could not be taken up due to disruption on coal block issue.
The Bahujan Samaj Party has been demanding that the bill be passed, but the Samajwadi Party (SP) is opposing it. (ANI)