Rajya Sabha Passes MSME Development Amendment Bill Despite Opposition Protests

The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill amid persistent sloganeering and protests by Opposition members, who demanded the presence of the Home Minister and raised concerns over the alleged police action during recent student protests in Delhi.

The Bill amends the MSME Development Act, 2006, empowering courts to direct payment of at least 50 per cent of the awarded amount to MSME suppliers if an application challenging an order remains pending for more than six months.

The measure aims to ensure faster financial relief for small businesses involved in legal disputes.

After the House reassembled, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh asked MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi to move the Bill for discussion.

Opposition members immediately demanded that the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, speak first.

The Chair later allowed Kharge to address the House, but the Leader of the House, JP Nadda, urged members to continue the debate on the Bill.

Congress MP Ajay Maken then questioned the decision and raised the issue of the alleged police action against students.

The Chair asked Maken to confine his remarks to the Bill, while JP Nadda sought to expunge unrelated comments.

Kiren Rijiju accused Maken of straying from the subject as Opposition members continued demanding the Home Minister’s presence.

Despite repeated disruptions and attempts to raise issues related to student protests, the Deputy Chairman directed members to focus solely on the Bill.

Despite the continued disruptions and sloganeering, the Rajya Sabha passed the MSME Development (Amendment) Bill before adjourning for the day.

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