AMID a noisy stand-off between treasury and Opposition benches, Lok Sabha onWednesday referred the controversial Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) amendment bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) and passed a bill to amend laws on mines and mineral development without any debate, before adjourning for the day on the penultimate day of the Monsoon Session.

 

After the Lok Sabha proceedings resumed at 2 pm, the Government proposed to move the FCRA amendment bill to a Joint Parliamentary Panel and the motion was passed by the House. This was despite the Opposition demanding withdrawal of the bill, alleging it was targeted against minorities. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dared the Opposition to show a single clause in the bill that was against the minorities. After a brief adjournment, the House again re-assembled at 3 pm, when it passed the Mines and Minerals Bill.