TRAI amendment passed in Lok Sabha; Mamata, Maya to support in RS

The bill was passed in Lok Sabha by voice vote on Monday where ruling BJP has overwhelming majority unlike in the Rajya Sabha, enabling Misra to continue in office.

Bill was passed in Lok Sabha without protest.

Mayawati of BSP also assured to support the government in Rajya Sabha so that the PM can choose his own principal secretary, leaving Congress alone in opposing the bill.

TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhaya said it will act as a responsible Opposition party and support the bill.

"The TMC is a responsible party. The PM can choose any officer whom he thinks fit for the post. Everyone should allow the office to function smoothly," said Sudip Bandyopadhyay.

Mayawati said "it is the PM's prerogative to choose his secretary" and they would not come in the way of a good official's appointment.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also supported the government. Its leader Majid Memon said they will not oppose it just for the sake of opposition.

Amid ruckus and objections, the government on Friday had introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to clear hurdles in the appointment of former TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra, who joined as principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi more than a month back.

A bill to amend Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act was needed.

The bill replaces an ordinance brought by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, to amend the act which prohibited its chairman and members from taking up any other job in the central or state governments after demitting office.

Slamming the oppositions for objections over the appointment, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said Modi has the right to choose his staff.