NEW DELHI: Rajya sabha president M Venkaiah Naidu On Wednesday he said that it is “extremely unpleasant” that the bills are passed amid a boycott of the proceedings by some sections of the House, but that not taking on the legislative work in such a situation can legitimize his action as an “instrument. blocking legislation “.
He spoke before suspending the Upper House session sine die, eight days ahead of schedule, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rajya Sabha passed 15 bills in the last two sessions with opposition Parties boycotted proceedings to protest the suspension of eight members on Monday for their “rebellious” behavior in the House during the passage of two key farm bills.
“Although it is not the first time that some members are suspended and bills passed when some sections of the House boycott the proceedings, I find it extremely distasteful.
“This kind of situation should be avoided by all means,” Naidu said in his comments on the conclusion of the 252nd session of Rajya Sabha.
Expressing concern about the conduct of some of the members, he said it was “deeply painful” and that they all need to “collectively reflect” on these issues.
Naidu, who has been associated with the Upper House for the past 22 years, said he is distraught every time bills are passed amid the noise.
On the suspension of the eight members, Naidu said the House rules provide for such action when it becomes unavoidable.
“If the legislative work is not taken up during the boycott by some sections of the House, it can legitimize the boycott as an effective instrument to block the legislation,” he said.
Naidu said the Chamber had to hold 18 sessions, but only 10.
“We have to conclude this session eight sessions before the 18 scheduled sessions, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to challenge humanity around the world even after nine months of its outbreak,” he said.
The president also said that for the first time in the history of the Upper House a motion to remove the vice president has been delivered, which was rejected by him.
“The events in the House surrounding this unprecedented measure have been deeply painful for all those who hold the stature and dignity of this august House in their hearts,” he said.
Most of the opposition, including Congress, the left-wing parties, the TMC, the Samajwadi Party and the NCP, had decided to boycott the House proceedings in protest at the suspension of the eight deputies.
Calling it a “nasty turn of events”, Naidu appealed to members to ensure that “such unseemly behavior is not repeated.”
“Naturally, it hurts me more to see that happen as president of this august House. It hurts more when the president is helpless by the turn of events and has to forcibly take action against the members according to the rules,” he said. Naidu.
Earlier in the day, the House passed key bills, including three on labor reforms, two appropriations bills, and the foreign tax (regulation) amendment.
Naidu said the 10-day session was productive with up to 25 bills passed and six introduced.
“The productivity of the Chamber during this session has been 100.47 percent. Compared to the scheduled available time of 38 hours and 30 minutes, the real time of operation of the Chamber has been 38 hours and 41 minutes, ”said Naidu.
Although the Upper House has lost three hours and 15 minutes due to interruptions, it remained seated for an additional three hours and 26 minutes.
“The new normal of high productivity seen during the last three sessions has continued during this session as well,” he said, adding, “As a result, the overall productivity of the last 4 sessions reaches a commendable 96.13 percent. This high productivity for four consecutive sessions he is the best for the last 5 years. ”
In this 252nd session, the Upper House has spent 22 hours and 3 minutes discussing the government’s legislative proposals during these 10 sessions, representing a record 57 percent of the House’s total functional time during this session.
In addition, the government responded in writing to 1,567 questions without an asterisk.
“The members raised issues of urgent public importance through 92 Zero Hour and 66 Special Mentions in which a total time of four hours and 15 minutes was dedicated, which represents 10.99 percent of the Chamber’s total functional time “, said.
Despite the pandemic, 198 members participated in the discussion of various bills
During the session, Rajya Sabha had readjusted the seating patterns to maintain social distance. It operated from six different locations, including the chambers of both Houses: Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and four galleries of the upper house.
“We are living in extraordinary times that justify various adjustments that force us to live a new normal life,” he said.
The monsoon session had started on September 14.
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