The Saptagiri Ulaka Committee Head of the Ulaka said that the appropriate procedure was followed and the list of witnesses was sent in advance to all members. File | Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
The session of the Parliamentary Permanent Committee for Rural Development, led by the leader of the Saptagiri Ulala Congress, which reviewed the implementation of the right to obtain land on Tuesday (1 July 2025), suddenly ended due to the “lack of quorum”
The committee met with rural development officials, environmental and climate change and ministry for tribal affairs along with 10 other civil society experts, including actor Prakash Raj. He reviewed the implementation of “Rights to fair compensation and transparency in land acquisition, rehabilitation and relocation, 2013”.
The protests began soon after Mr. Ulaka read the list of witnesses. The NDA deputies described an activist who led Narmad Bachao Andolan in Gujarat and elsewhere, as “anti-national and anti-Rescue” and should not be allowed to present their views. According to sources, the ruling party deputy even asked whether the panel would continue to call Pakistani Prime Minister.
There were eight NDA deputies and seven opposition deputies. When Mr. Ulala and other members of the opposition were of the opinion that the meeting should continue, and because witnesses are already here, they must be heard. At this point, the NDA deputies organized Walkout. Although the remaining members were considering what to do next, the speaker’s office sent a message that since the panel did not have a quotum, the meeting should be terminated.
In an interview with Hindu, Mr. Ulala said that the appropriate procedure was followed and the list of witnesses was sent in advance to all members. If they had objections, they should raise them before the meeting. The speaker’s office was also informed about witnesses within the usual procedure. “It is unfortunate that NDA members did not want to listen to them. Permanent reports of the committee are not binding on the government. And even the chairman cannot force the report. Permanent committees provide a platform to hear all of them.
Published – 1 July 2025 9:14 IS IS
