Trinamool Congress MP Nadimul Haque voices strong opposition to the Jan Vishwas Bill in Rajya Sabha, citing concerns over its impact on public health, the undermining of legislative spirit, and the allocation of federal funds to West Bengal.
Key Points
- TMC MP Nadimul Haque opposes the Jan Vishwas Bill, criticising the government's 'blend and butcher' approach to amending 79 central laws.
- Haque raises concerns about the bill's potential negative impact on public health and environmental safety due to the replacement of criminal liability with monetary penalties.
- The MP highlights the issue of pending funds of over Rs 2 lakh crore owed to West Bengal by the Centre under various schemes, including MNREGA.
- Haque criticises the government for allegedly dismissing recommendations from the Select Committee regarding public health concerns within the Jan Vishwas Bill.
- The TMC leader claims the people of India have no faith in the BJP, referencing the deletion of names from electoral rolls in West Bengal.
Trinamool Congress MP Nadimul Haque on Thursday said in the Rajya Sabha that the people of the country have no faith in the BJP as he questioned the intent of the government in amending 79 central laws through a single law -- The Jan Vishwas (Amendment and Provisions) Bill, 2026.
Opposing the bill, he criticised the NDA government's "blend and butcher" approach in amending several laws together and by doing so, it has undermined the legislative spirit.
On Wednesday, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, was passed in the Lok Sabha with a voice vote. The bill seeks to amend 784 provisions in 79 central laws for decriminalising and rationalising minor offences to further improve the country's business environment.
Concerns Over Legislative Process and Public Health
In his speech, Haque of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) said this one bill is amending nearly 80 central acts.
"Why have all the criminal provisions been merged into one law? Every act serves a different purpose and context. What is this? What is this blend and butcher approach by the government? Once again, the government has done what it does best, undermine legislative spirit and intent," he said.
Haque also attacked the government for not accepting many suggestions of the Select Committee.
"A major concern in the bill is that the bill replaces criminal liability with monetary penalties in a sweeping manner, creating a class bias in enforcement. Many offences classified as minor are embedded in the regulatory framework governing public health, environmental safety, et cetera," he said.
The select committee has expressed concerns about removing criminal provisions on public health issues, but the government did not consider this, the TMC member said.
"Either the government does not send bills to committee, or when they are forced to, they dismiss all recommendations," he alleged.
Economic Disparities and West Bengal's Model
Haque said the government has brought this bill to improve the ease of doing business.
"But what is the reality of business in India. India ranks 63rd in the ease of doing business index. The top 10 per cent here earn 58 per cent of the national income, while the bottom 50 per cent get only 15 per cent. The truth is, four out of five Indians earn less than Rs 171 per day," he said.
The TMC leader said the Centre should learn the ease of doing business from West Bengal.
Dispute Over Funds and Electoral Rolls
During his speech, Haque raised the issue of pending over Rs 2 lakh crore fund to West Bengal from the Centre under various schemes, including MNREGA. He also raised the issue of Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in West Bengal.
"You have named this bill Jan Vishwas. I must tell you that Jan has no Vishwas in you," Haque said.
The TMC leader said that Rs 2 lakh crore is owed to Bengal, of which Rs 52,000 crore is under MNREGA alone and over Rs 53,600 crore under various disaster schemes.
"So why would we have any Vishwas in you? Jan Vishwas was murdered when nearly 200 people lost their lives because of SIR, when 60 lakh names were deleted, and another 60 lakh voters were placed under adjudication. The people of Bengal will give the answer of this misdeed on May 4, 2026," Haque said.
Before concluding his speech, the TMC leader said the Union Home Minister Amit Shah should stop political tourism.
Haque said his party has demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, and his party members are staging a walkout in protest.
