The 17th Lok Sabha, spanning a significant chapter in Indian parliamentary history, concluded its tenure on Saturday, marking the end of an eventful session highlighted by pivotal legislative decisions and notable occurrences. From the abrogation of Article 370 to the inauguration of the new Parliament building, the journey of this parliamentary term was laden with significant milestones and challenges.


Key Legislative Achievements


Throughout its tenure, the 17th Lok Sabha witnessed the enactment of several landmark legislations, including the granting of 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and legislative assemblies, and the passage of three bills aimed at reforming the country's criminal justice system — the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act. The contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, which sparked widespread protests, particularly in northeast Delhi, and the subsequent rollback of the controversial farm bills were among the major legislative debates that unfolded during this period.


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Transition to New Parliament Building


A significant transition occurred during the tenure, marked by the shift of parliamentary proceedings to the newly inaugurated Parliament building from the historic old structure, now named 'Samvidhan Sadan.' The transition was celebrated with a special session, during which the women's reservation bill was passed, a move hailed as a significant step towards gender equality in governance.


Parliament Security Breach And Mass Suspension Of MPs


However, the tenure was not without its share of challenges. A significant security breach occurred on December 13, reminiscent of the 2001 Parliament terror attack anniversary, when intruders breached the premises and disrupted proceedings. This incident prompted a review of security measures within the Parliament complex. Additionally, the suspension of 100 members over a span of four days due to unruly conduct underscored the challenges faced in maintaining decorum within the House.


Despite disruptions, the 17th Lok Sabha exhibited commendable productivity, with the passage of 222 bills and a total of 274 sittings. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla noted that the House exceeded its scheduled time by 345 hours, reflecting a total work productivity of around 97 per cent, the highest among the last five Lok Sabhas.


Women's Reservation And Final Session On Ram Temple Construction


Despite the achievements, some legislative initiatives remain pending implementation. NCP-SCP leader and Lok Sabha member Supriya Sule expressed hope for the expeditious implementation of the women's reservation bill, emphasising the government's responsibility in fulfilling its commitments.


"The government has signed the cheque, but has not put a date on it. We hope it will be implemented soon," she said, as per news agency PTI.


The concluding session of the 17th Lok Sabha saw deliberations on the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, culminating in the passage of a resolution affirming the same.


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