Government's Next Move In The Aadhaar Game Of Chess Is A 'No'

The government has rejected the opposition's demand to extend the sitting of the Rajya Sabha by two days in the first phase of the Budget session, nipping the latter's plan to corner it over the Aadhaar Bill, controversially passed by the Lok Sabha last week. 

The opposition had in a rare move sought that the Upper House sit for two days extra before breaking for a 39-day recess on Wednesday, March 16. 

In a chess-like move, strategically timed, the BJP-led government used its brute majority in the Lok Sabha to pass the Aadhaar Bill as a "money bill" last Friday. This means that the Rajya Sabha, where the government is in a minority, can only discuss the bill, but cannot make changes to it. If it recommends changes, the Lok Sabha can choose not to accept them. 

Also, the Rajya Sabha must discuss a money bill within 14 days of it being officially received by the house, or it will be "deemed passed."

The bill was "officially received" in the Rajya Sabha today, only two days before the House breaks for the recess.

"The Aadhaar Bill proves how the government, facing heat in the upper house, has decided to bypass it completely," alleged CPM leader Sitaram Yechury. 

The opposition had demanded an extension at the last three meetings of the business advisory committee or BAC which is made up of leaders of all parties, attempting to ensure that the bill is discussed in the Upper House so that it can record its objections to certain clauses and to the bill being presented as a money bill. 

There is little time. Much of Tuesday will be devoted to farewell speeches by retiring members. The Rajya Sabha also has to conclude its debate on the Rail Budget by today evening and then take up the Union Budget. 

The Aadhaar Bill 2016 seeks to give legal sanction to the unique identification number programme or Aadhaar as a single window to distribute subsidy and other direct benefit transfers.