Parliament's Monsoon Session Adjourned Sine Die Amid Chairman-Oppn Tussle In Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha Logs 130% Productivity
The Parliament's Monsoon Session adjourned early after a session marked by Opposition protests and a rebuke from Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met with leaders of all parties including PM Modi and LoP Rahul Gandhi.
The Parliament was adjourned sine die on Friday, a day ahead of its scheduled conclusion, after a tumultuous session marked by an Opposition walkout and a stern rebuke from Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar over the conduct of Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan. The Upper House was originally slated to function until 12th August.
In his closing remarks before adjourning the House, Chairman Dhankhar urged members to engage in introspection, emphasising the need to utilise the parliamentary platform for the public good and contribute optimally to national welfare. He reflected on the session, noting that the Rajya Sabha witnessed the rare distinction of seeing the seventh consecutive budget presented by Nirmala Sitharaman, the country’s first full-fledged woman Finance Minister, for a government in its third term after six decades.
The Union Budget 2024-25 was a significant focus of the session, with discussions spanning 21 hours and 48 minutes. Overall, the House functioned for 90 hours and 35 minutes, during which it addressed issues related to the Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Housing and Urban Affairs, and New and Renewable Energy.
However, the day was marred by repeated adjournments and a face-off between the Chairman and Samajwadi Party member Jaya Bachchan. The House was adjourned three times in the post-lunch session, following a heated debate over remarks made by BJP member Ghanshyam Tiwari against Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.
Expressing his displeasure, Chairman Dhankhar criticised the conduct of Opposition members, accusing them of using intemperate language and spreading misleading narratives through the media. He stated, "If truth takes wings, the nation blossoms. If untruth, something far distanced from truth, gains traction, it is bothersome." He also underscored the importance of ensuring that the sacred precincts of the Rajya Sabha are not used to destabilise democracy.
Dhankhar further urged the Opposition to introspect and reflect on their duty to the nation, taking into consideration their constitutional oath. He also called on ruling members to reach out to their Opposition counterparts to ensure that the Upper House could address issues of national importance in a bipartisan manner.
ALSO READ | Another Jaya Bachchan-Jagdeep Dhankhar Spat Creates Furore In Rajya Sabha. WATCH
Lok Sabha Adjourned Day Ahead Of Schedule, Logs 130% Productivity
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was also adjourned sine die on Friday, a day ahead of schedule. Speaker Om Birla announced that the House's productivity had exceeded 130 per cent. During this session, the Lok Sabha passed several key pieces of legislation, including the Finance Bill, 2024, and the Appropriation Bill, 2024, both crucial for the Union Budget.
The session also saw the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2024, and the Indian Aircraft Bill, 2024. Additionally, a Bill to amend the Wakf Act, 1995, was introduced and subsequently referred to a joint committee of Parliament, despite protests from Opposition members over its provisions.
Speaker Birla highlighted the achievements of the session, noting that the Lok Sabha held 15 sittings over a total of 115 hours. The general discussion on the Union Budget 2024-25 engaged 181 members in a debate that lasted 27 hours and 19 minutes. Throughout the session, the House addressed 400 matters of public importance and answered 86 starred questions.
A total of 1,345 papers were laid on the table, and the House heard 30 statements from ministers, including three suo motu statements under Rule 372. The session also included discussions on India's preparations for the Olympic Games and the devastating impact of landslides and floods across the country.
However, the discussion on a private member's resolution concerning the regulation of airfare, introduced by Shafi Parambil, remained incomplete. Speaker Birla expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and members of various parties for their cooperation in ensuring the smooth conduct of the session.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also met with leaders of all parties including PM Modi and LoP Rahul Gandhi after the conclusion of the Monsoon session.
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