New Delhi, August 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by voice vote after more than an hour of debate, amid Opposition protests and a walkout over demands for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s presence in the House.
Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol replied to the debate before the legislation was put to vote. Opposition members, who had been raising slogans and demanding Shah’s presence, walked out and did not participate further in the discussion.
The Bill seeks to further amend the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962, and had already been passed by the Lok Sabha.
At the beginning of the proceedings on the legislation, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh informed members that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had requested that the NCDC Bill be taken up first.
The debate was preceded by a dispute involving BJP member Sushmita Dev and CPI(M) member John Brittas. Brittas had raised an allegation that Dev used the term “lungiwala” against him. Dev subsequently clarified her remarks, saying she would be happy to meet Brittas if he felt such a discussion was necessary and expressing her affection for people from Kerala, the Northeast and Karnataka.
Leader of the House JP Nadda suggested that the two members meet in his chamber to resolve what he described as a misunderstanding.
Meanwhile, Opposition members continued their protest over the alleged theft of donations related to the Ram temple and demanded Shah’s presence in the Upper House.
When Mamata Thakur was called to speak on the Bill, she raised the issue of the Home Minister’s absence. Kharge also questioned why Shah was not present, arguing that the legislation was in his name. The Deputy Chairman did not allow the issue to derail the proceedings and asked Nadda to respond.
Nadda said the government was prepared to discuss any issue but urged the Opposition to participate in the debate rather than walk out.
Several members took part in the discussion. BJP member Ramrao Sakharam Wadkute, DMK’s KRN Rajesh Kumar and BJP member Sulata Deo were among those who spoke.
Deo opposed aspects of the legislation, arguing that it could shift powers from village-level cooperative institutions to the Centre. She said the proposed changes could create greater scope for middlemen and leave farmers vulnerable to corporate interests after moving away from traditional moneylenders.
The Bill also received support from AIADMK member Dr M. Thambidurai, JD(U) member Sanjay Kumar Jha and others. Jha highlighted the achievements of the JD(U) government in Bihar through the cooperative sector.
Rajendra Hiralal Jain of the NCP, Vijaya Chintakayala of the TDP, Ravi Chandra Vaddiraju of the BRS, BJP member Amar Pal Maurya and Dr M. Dhanapal also spoke in favour of the legislation.
Following the conclusion of the debate, the Bill was passed by voice vote. The Deputy Chairman subsequently took up the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026.
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