The monsoon session of parliament ended earlier than scheduled on Wednesday, setting a new benchmark for productivity even as various parties were not involved in much of the legislative process, revealing increased acrimony among the government-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). for the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress. Directed opposition.
The session, which was held with unprecedented social distancing rules, also opened up a new political front in the form of protests by farmers and reinforced the danger posed by Covid-19, as 32 members (including two ministers) tested positive. , and finally they reduced the Session already truncated by eight more days.
Both Chambers approved a total of 25 bills, including three controversial agrarian liberalization and three labor reforms, in the face of protests, strikes, and boycotts by opposition parties that accused the ruling side of denying them their parliamentary rights by promoting legislation without review. .
The Lower House recorded 167% productivity in session, the highest in Parliament’s history (and broke the 1967 record of 163% productivity in the fourth Lok Sabha), according to President Om Birla, who also announced that the September 21, when the Chamber worked until 12.35 in the morning, productivity stood at 234%, another record.
Certainly, both Houses were allocated four hours a day instead of the normal seven-hour schedule, as they had to meet in two different shifts in the morning and in the afternoon due to social distancing rules in view of the pandemic of coronavirus.
Birla said 370 MPs could participate in the Zero Hour and Under Rule 377, and that this level of participation was almost double that of the 15th and 16th Lok Sabha.
While question hour was suspended, the Lok Sabha saw 2,300 written responses, while the Upper House saw 1,567.
“The situation was extraordinary. We are also a great Parliament, in numbers. But the way the Chambers were led by both the President of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha was outstanding. The political situation was also very tense, ”said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi.
Congressional Leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, said: “We are amazed to see how bills are passed since this government came to power in 2014. No bills are sent to a committee. standing or a select committee for further scrutiny. This is not good for democracy ”.
Bitterness was evident even on the last day of the session with leaders of 18 opposition parties visiting President Ram Nath Kovind and asking him to withdraw the agricultural bills, even as Rajya Sabha pushed for labor reforms without opposition to any activity. legislative.
Amid a boycott by opposition parties, Parliament passed the three key labor reform bills on industrial relations, social security and job security, and the Rajya Sabha approved them by oral vote.
The fierce protests led to nearly two days since Rajya Sabha disappeared, but the Upper House used 100.5% of its allotted time in what was its second shortest monsoon session since 1952. Instead of the 18 scheduled sessions , only 10 sessions were held between September 14 and 23.
The Rajya Sabha has consistently posted its highest productivity in the past four sessions and spent a record 58% of working hours approving invoices during the session, up from an average of 28% over the years.
But the ill-will that manifested itself between the treasury and the opposition seats bore witness to a growing rift in Indian politics, overshadowing the session and prompting the Opposition to claim that the productivity gains listed were meaningless.
One of the key points was the suspension of eight Rajya Sabha MPs for their rebellious conduct during the passage of two of the three crucial agricultural bills in the Upper House on Sunday. The members interrupted the vice president, tried to rip the microphones and break the rule books, and stood on the table.
On the last day of the session, members of opposition parties protested in different ways against the controversial agrarian bills, from staging a silent march on the Parliament compound to carrying bunches of rice harvest in their hands or rushing towards the House of the President.
They made a representation to President Kovind and asked him not to consent to the bills. The president was told that the passing of the bills in Rajya Sabha was “unconstitutional”.
The session, held after a six-month interval due to the coronavirus pandemic, was marked by several new initiatives such as both Houses working in shifts; Deputies of one Chamber sitting in the chamber of the other and in the galleries; members working on the weekend and talking while seated; and plexiglass sheets on each seat, as well as strict social distancing rules.
Rajya Sabha President Venkaiah Naidu said in his farewell address: “For the first time in the history of this august House, a notice of motion for the removal of the honorable Vice President has been served. It had to be rejected for the reasons I have explained in doing so. 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. “
Naidu also added: “I would like to remind all of you that in 1997 and 2012, this august Chamber resolved that all members will defend the dignity of the House by complying with the established Rules and Procedures. If we adhere to these resolutions, there will be order in the House and when there is order in the House, the House can function as the country expects it to function ”.
Afzal Amanullah, a former secretary for parliamentary affairs, said Parliament functioned during a very difficult time and proved once again that it can withstand any challenge.
“At the same time, the government should have walked another kilometer to make the Opposition trust in key issues and to guarantee a smooth process of parliamentary speech. The latter, unfortunately, did not happen, ”Amanullah said.
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