Stating that “sloganeering, displaying placards, and planned deadlock” in the House hurts parliamentary decorum, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Thursday that the language and conduct seen during the Monsoon Session were "not in accordance with the dignity of Parliament". In his valedictory address at the conclusion of the fifth session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Birla said, "Honourable Members, 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." "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. The Monsoon Session commenced on July 21, and saw the introduction of 14 Bills, and the passing of 12 of them. Two special discussions were held on Operation Sindoor on July 28 and 29, and on the achievements of India’s space programme on August 18. "In this session, 419 starred questions were included in the agenda, but due to continuous planned disruptions, only 55 questions could be taken up for oral answer. We had all decided at the beginning of the session that we would 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," Birla said. When Birla was speaking, the opposition members were raising slogans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the house. Later, Birla adjourned the House sine die. Earlier in the day, when Lok Sabha assembled at 11 am, Birla adjourned the House till 12 pm, following an uproar created by the Opposition members over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned sine die. Addressing the Upper House on the last day of 268th Session of Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said, “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.” “Overall, the House functioned for only 41 hours and 15 minutes. The productivity of this Session stood at a disappointing 38.88 per cent 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, 7 Zero Hour submissions, and 61 Special Mentions could actually be taken up,” he said. “While these contributions are of value, they represent only a fraction of what this august House is capable of achieving when it functions to its full potential,” the Deputy Chairman said. The Deputy Chairman informed the House that as many as 15 Government Bills were passed or returned during the session. The House also held a special discussion on India’s strong, successful, and decisive Operation Sindoor, undertaken in response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam a matter of great national importance, he said, adding that the discussion saw the participation of 64 Members over two days and was replied to by the Minister of Home Affairs. “The House also benefited from a suo motu statement by the Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry on India–US Bilateral Trade, which provided valuable insights into India’s expanding economic engagement. In addition, the House was duly apprised of the vacancy in the office of the Hon’ble Vice-President of India,” he said. “I hope the lessons of this Session will guide us towards more constructive and purposeful deliberations in the future,” the Deputy Chairman said. Later, the Deputy Chairman adjourned Rajya Sabha sine die.
