Birla, Harivansh flag poor productivity, slam Opposition for disruptions as Monsoon Session ends
Follow Parliament Monsoon session Day 21 highlights
The session began with the abrupt resignation of Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21 and ended with Union Home Minister Amit Shah moving a resolution to appoint a joint select committee to study crucial amendments to the Constitution proposing automatic cessation of office if a Prime Minister or a Chief Minister spends 31 days in custody.
Throughout the session, the Opposition protested, demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the alleged 'vote theft' in the Lok Sabha and recent Assembly elections. The demand for adjournment motions on the issue was rejected, leading to disruptions in both the Houses.
The Upper House functioned for only 41 hours and 15 minutes, while the Lok Sabha could work only for 37 hours this session. In their concluding remarks, Mr. Birla and Mr. Harivansh criticised the Opposition members for their behaviour. 'Despite the best efforts of the Chair to facilitate meaningful and disruption-free discussions on the listed business, this session was regrettably marred by repeated disruptions, leading to frequent adjournments. This not only resulted in the loss of precious parliamentary time but also deprived us of the opportunity to deliberate upon several matters of public importance,' Mr. Harivansh said.
The Deputy Chairman said the productivity of the Monsoon Session stood at 38.88%, something that calls for serious introspection. 'Members had the opportunity to raise 285 Questions, 285 Zero Hour submissions, and 285 Special Mentions. However, only 14 Questions, seven Zero Hour submissions, and 61 Special Mentions could actually be taken up,' he said, adding that while these contributions are of value, they represent only a fraction of what this House is capable of achieving when it functions to its full potential.
During the Session, the Rajya Sabha passed or returned as many as 15 Government Bills. Lok Sabha saw the introduction of 14 Bills of which 12 were passed. Both the Houses discussed Operation Sindoor and the Lok Sabha debated the achievements of India's space programme.
Mr. Birla said the members had all decided at the beginning of the session that the House will have 120 hours of discussion and dialogue. 'The Business Advisory Committee also agreed to this. But due to continuous deadlock and planned disruptions, we could barely work for 37 hours in this session,' he said in his valedictory address. In this session, 419 starred questions were included in the agenda, but due to disruptions, only 55 questions could be taken up for oral answers.
Mr. Birla said that 'as public representatives, the entire country watches our conduct and functioning'. 'The public has great expectations from us that we have serious and meaningful discussions on their problems and issues of wider public interest, on important Bills, in accordance with the decorum of Parliament,' he said.
'It is the responsibility of all of us to cooperate in building healthy traditions in the House. In this dignified House, we should avoid sloganeering and disruption and take forward serious and meaningful discussions. As Members of Parliament, we should set an example before the country and the world through our work and behaviour. Our language in the House and the Parliament premises should always be restrained and decent'.
'Agreement and disagreement are a natural process of democracy, but our collective effort should be that the House runs with dignity, decorum and decency. We have to think about what message we are sending to the citizens through the country's highest democratic institution. I am sure that all the political parties and honourable members will seriously think and introspect on this issue,' he said.
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