New Delhi, Aug. 12: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by a voice vote after an hour-long discussion, while Opposition parties walked out of the House following protests demanding the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the debate.
The Bill, which seeks to amend the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962, was taken up after Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh informed the House that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had requested members to prioritise its consideration. Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol replied to the discussion before the legislation was approved.
The proceedings witnessed repeated interruptions as Opposition members raised slogans over the Ram temple donation theft issue and demanded the Home Minister’s presence in the House. After several minutes of protests, Opposition members staged a walkout and did not participate further in the debate.
Earlier, when the Rajya Sabha reconvened following an adjournment, BJP member Sushmita Dev addressed allegations regarding her purported derogatory remarks against CPI(M) member John Brittas. Referring to the controversy surrounding the alleged use of the term “lungiwala”, she said that if Brittas expected her to speak to him, she would be happy to do so, adding that she had affection for the people of Kerala, the Northeast and Karnataka.
Leader of the House J.P. Nadda suggested that the members concerned meet in his chamber to resolve what he described as a misunderstanding.
When Deputy Chairman Singh called Mamata Thakur to participate in the debate, she instead questioned the absence of the Home Minister. The Chair did not permit her to continue and invited Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to speak. Kharge also insisted that the Home Minister should be present because the Bill was in his name. The Deputy Chairman declined to allow further discussion on the issue and asked Nadda to respond.
Nadda said the government was prepared to discuss any issue but urged the Opposition not to withdraw from the debate. The House then proceeded with discussions on the Bill.
Members participating in the debate included Ramrao Sakharam Wadkute (BJP), K.R.N. Rajesh Kumar (DMK), Sulata Deo (BJP), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK), Sanjay Kumar Jha (JD(U)), Rajendra Hiralal Jain (NCP), Vijaya Chintakayala (TDP), Ravi Chandra Vaddiraju (BRS), Amar Pal Maurya (BJP) and M. Dhanapal.
During the discussion, Sulata Deo argued that the proposed legislation would shift powers from village cooperatives to the Central government. She contended that such changes could create opportunities for middlemen and move farmers from dependence on moneylenders to corporates, increasing their distress.
In contrast, Thambidurai supported the Bill, while Sanjay Kumar Jha endorsed the legislation and highlighted the contribution of Bihar’s cooperative sector under the JD(U) government.
Following the passage of the Bill by voice vote, the Deputy Chairman took up the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, for consideration.
