Lawyers must be aware of SC/HCs mentioning about "intention" of legislature while interpreting law.
I wonder how intention is gauged in these circumstances:
NEW DELHI: It's a record of sorts: five bills concerning crucial and controversial areas like the judiciary,trademarks, and perks and salaries
of ministers, were adopted by the Lok Sabha on the last day of the winter session without even five minutes of discussion.
The first on the list of legislative business was a Bill "to provide for the constitution of a Commercial Division in the High Courts for adjudicating commercial disputes". Moved by law minister Veerappa Moily, the Bill was passed by a voice vote without the slightest discussion.
Within minutes came home minister P Chidambaram's Bill with a proposal to amend the civil defence Act. Then, the home minister again stood up pleading that the salaries and allowances of ministers Act be amended.
Then it was the turn of minister of state for consumer affairs K V Thomas to move that the Bill to "establish and enforce standards of weights and measures" be adopted by the House. This Bill had already been passed by the Rajya Sabha. The House obliged without seeking any discussion.
And finally, commerce minister Anand Sharma proposed that the Bill amending the trademark Act be taken into consideration.
Thus, in a matter of minutes the House of people adopted five legislations without even some pretension of discussion. In a hurry to end the session, the government rushed the Bills through as soon as they were introduced.
Pushed to a corner, Congress blamed the Opposition for what happened. "For three days, the Lok Sabha had been obstructed and ultimately adjourned sine die; the Opposition has to do a lot of explaining," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said.
Pointing to the government's compulsion, he said that "certain legislations brook no delay".
The fact, however, remains this was not the only time that such a sprint of legislative business was visible. Just two days ago, on Wednesday, two Bills were passed in the same manner.
Urban development minister Jaipal Reddy proposed that the national capital territory of Delhi laws (special provisions) Bill be passed. Soon after him, labour minister Mallikarjun Kharge moved that the Bill to amend the payment of gratuity Act be taken into consideration. Both legislations were passed without any discussion.
