JD(U) supports call for more parliamentary speaking time for SC and ST MPs

The Janata Dal (United) has supported Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s call for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe members of Parliament to receive more time to speak during legislative proceedings. JD(U) national general secretary Shyam Rajak said Dalit representatives should have adequate opportunities to raise issues affecting their constituents. He was responding to Manjhi’s letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, which raised concerns about the participation of SC and ST MPs in debates on important Bills.

Rajak said the request should apply not only to discussions on legislation but also to other parliamentary issues. He said representatives of Dalit communities should not feel inferior or different from other members because they were unable to obtain sufficient floor time. Manjhi’s letter, dated September 16, referred to concerns raised at a meeting of National Democratic Alliance MPs held at his residence on August 5.

According to the letter, BJP MP Gajendra Singh Patel, who represents the reserved tribal constituency of Khargone in Madhya Pradesh, had said SC and ST MPs were not receiving adequate time during important debates. Manjhi asked the Speaker to take steps to ensure that members from the two communities could contribute sufficiently to parliamentary proceedings. Speaking from Gaya, he later said he might have addressed the letter to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju because the allocation of debate time falls within that portfolio.

Manjhi explained that each government minister chairs a group of about 14 or 15 NDA MPs. Such groups meet regularly, he said, and concerns raised by parliamentarians are referred to the relevant ministries and departments. Rajak’s endorsement adds support within the NDA for Manjhi’s request.

The material does not indicate whether the Speaker or the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has responded to the demand.