NDA MPs walk out protesting Medha Patkar's presence at meet of House panel on rural development
The committee was meeting officials from Rural Development, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, along with 10 other experts from civil society, including actor Prakash Raj. It was reviewing the implementation of 'Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013'.
The protests began soon after Mr. Ulaka read out the list of witnesses. The NDA MPs described the activist, who led the Narmada Bachao Andolan in Gujarat and elsewhere, as 'anti-national and anti-development' and should not be allowed to present her views. A ruling party MP, according to sources, even asked whether the panel will next be calling the Pakistan Prime Minister.
There were eight NDA MPs and seven opposition MPs. When Mr. Ulaka and other opposition members were of the view that the meeting should be continued, and since witnesses are already here, they must be heard. At this point, the NDA MPs staged a walkout. Even as the remaining members were deliberating on what to do next, the Speaker's office sent a message that since the panel does not have a quorum the meeting should be ended.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Ulaka said due procedure was followed and the list of witnesses was circulated in advance to all the members. If they had objections, they should have raised it before the meeting. The Speaker's office too was informed about the witnesses as part of the usual procedure. 'It is unfortunate that NDA members did not want to even listen to them. The standing committee reports are not binding on the government. And neither can the chairman force a report. The standing committees provide a platform to hear everyone. Stalling such interactions can be grievous to democracy,' he said.
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