Disruptions damaged House dignity: Kiren Rijiju

The minister said that Constitution Day was celebrated on November 26 in the Central Hall to mark 75 years of the Constitution and a detailed discussion was held on December 13 and 14 in LS and on December 16 and 17 in RS. In LS, discussions spanning 15 hours and 43 minutes were held in which 62 members participated. Discussions in RS were held for 17 hours and 41 minutes, in which 80 participated.

Rijiju said that the productivity of the lower House was 54.5% and the upper House was 40%. “We are not satisfied with this…We should not have left any chance of serving the nation… But such activities…in Parliament caused a loss to the business and also damaged its dignity,” he said.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar too highlighted low productivity in his valedictory remarks and said, “The stark reality is troubling, this session’s productivity stands at a mere 40.03%, with just 43 hours and 27 minutes of effective functioning.” He also said it is time to choose between meaningful debate and destructive disruption.

Responding to a question related to low attendance of BJP MPs and absence of the Prime Minister during the voting on introduction of a Bill related to One Nation One Election in Lok Sabha, Rijiju said, “Introduction is a formality. The actual consideration and passing will be at the later stage after the receiving of the report from the JPC. Modi ji himself had said that the BIll should be referred to the JPC.”

Rijiju said that following the uproar during four days, leaders of all the parties had met in the Speaker’s chamber where they agreed to let the Houses run smoothly. “But suddenly… Congress spoiled the atmosphere by sloganeering, wearing jackets, black clothes. I will meet Congress leaders and appeal to them to not repeat that in future,” he added.