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o:p> Title: Consideration of the Represenation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2003 (Not concluded).

15.28 hrs. REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2003* MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: We will now take up the next item, item No.15. Shri Arun Jaitley has to move it. Since he is not here, Shri P.C. Thomas is to move.

SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE (BOLPUR): Sir, has he given notice?

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Yes.

SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : Please check up. Mr. Minister, you take it for granted. This is the respect shown to the Lok Sabha.… (Interruptions)

          Sir, he can take the leave of the House now. I do not mind it. But this casualness should be resented. Mr. Minister, you can ask for leave. I can understand it. I am happy to infer that you are piloting it. But I wanted to accuse him.… (Interruptions)

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI P.C. THOMAS): Sir, Shri Arun Jaitley is now engaged in a matter concerning some discussion. Some foreign delegates have come to meet him. So, I seek the permission of the Chair to move this Bill.

MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: Yes. It is true that he ought to have given information to the Lok Sabha. It may please be taken note of. The hon. Minister of State Shri P.C. Thomas will move it.

SHRI P.C. THOMAS: Sir, I beg to move:

"That the Bill further to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as passed by Rajya Sabha, be taken into consideration. "

          This Bill, which was passed by the Rajya Sabha, seeks to amend Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act and also Sections 59, 94 and 128 of the said Act. This is mainly with regard to these two aspects that the Bill has been * Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section-2, dt.6.8.2003.

SHRI P.C. THOMAS: If the House so feels, it can be considered.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : You are a young, dynamic and courageous Minister. I desire that you should bring it.

SHRI P.C. THOMAS: Sir, if the House so feels, we will consider that aspect also.

SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE : His senior Minister has fled.

SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI : That is why, his senior Minister has left the job to him.

SHRI P.C. THOMAS: Sir, though this aspect appears to be very simple, it is very serious and as has been commented upon by the hon. Members from the Opposition, this Bill has to be seriously considered by the House. The absence of Shri Arun Jaitley, as I have already observed, is only because he had to urgently go for some discussion relating to the WTO with some foreign delegates. So, I was asked to be present here. In fact, he was also trying to come, but he could not reach in time. Since you have allowed me, I am proceeding further.