Oppn members press for early formation of Parliamentary panels

Opposition members in Rajya Sabha on Monday demanded early constitution of Parliamentary standing committees so that key bills can be scrutinised by them.

The issue was raised after a motion on allowing bill to be passed in Rajya Sabha without being referred to standing committee was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan.

The minister told the House that the process of constituting the parliamentary standing committees is underway, after members expressed their concern.

The minister said that the government does not want to bypass standing committees and this is an emergency situation which was also witnessed in 2006, 2009 and 2014.

Congress leader P Chidambaram asked, "When would the committees be constituted?"

The minister said that it is a process which involved members of all parties.

TMC leader Derek O'Brien said that more than seven bill were passed without being referred to standing committees. Congress Member Jairam Ramesh was among