Stormy Monsoon session ends: No SIR discussion, low productivity

In his valedictory address at the conclusion of the fifth session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Birla said: “The public has great expectations 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.”

The Monsoon Session, which commenced on July 21, saw the introduction of 14 Bills and the passing of 12 of them. The first day of the session also saw the surprise resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice-President.

For large parts of the session, the Opposition held vociferous protests demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision of rolls (SIR) in Bihar. However, the government maintained that the House cannot discuss matters related to the Election Commission, citing a previous ruling by the Chair.

A special discussion was held on Operation Sindoor on July 28 and 29. This was the only full fledged-discussion in the House which saw the participation of the Opposition. Another special discussion, on the achievements of India’s space programme on August 18, ended abruptly amid Opposition protests.

Thursday was no different as Opposition members raised slogans during Birla’s address. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the House.

“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.

“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,” he said.

Birla later adjourned the House sine die. He had initially adjourned the House till noon, soon after it assembled at 11 am, following protests by the Opposition members over the SIR exercise.

In Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the disruptions had brought down the productivity of the House.

“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 15 Government Bills were passed or returned during the session.

Sixty-four members participated in the two-day discussion on Operation Sindoor, Harivansh said.

“The House also benefited from a suo motu statement by the 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.

The Deputy Chairman later adjourned Rajya Sabha sine die.