Currently the representative house for the world's largest democracy & the second largest internet market in the world is considering - for the 1st time - a data protection bill. MPs have rised in concern & opposition in the Lok Sabha to the bill that the Union Govt has proposed
After opposition by MPs, Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad reveals the Government's plan. Instead of letting it be referred in the normal process to the Standing Committee on IT, Minister Prasad is trying to push for it to be referred to a specific select committee formed for this.
For context, the current Standing Committee to the Indian Parliament on IT is coordinated by the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and chaired by an Indian National Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
DIVISION! A vote has been called in the Lok Sabha on the Government's motion to refer the Indian Data Protection Bill to a joint select committee (an extraordinary process) rather than the Standing Committee on IT.
Roars of outrage in the telecast from the Lok Sabha. Unclear if the Lok Sabha Speaker has moved on to the next item.
Appears that the Lok Sabha Speaker (OM Birla) has ruled in favour of the Union Government with less than 10 seconds of deliberation.
[Oye]
[Oye]
Speaker Birla, your conduct is troubling for our Republic. Democracy isn't about what is most convenient for the Ministry of Parl Affairs & Dept of Legislative Affairs. Call a debate honestly. Be clear to citizens. Letting process be bulldozed is an insult to our freedom fighters
Today Ravi Shankar Prasad's ministry- & the Union Government - revealed how insecure & afraid they are. Rather than letting a standing committee chaired by an opposition MP independently studying & issueing a [non-binding] report, preferred rubberstamping it to a select committee
