The monsoon session of Parliament concluded on Tuesday and both the upper and lower Houses adjourned sine die. But not before Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar expressing concern over the frequent disruptions and adjournments forced by some members affecting precious hours of parliament business and discussions on other important matters.
The disturbances, due to which business in the Rajya Sabha could not be conducted on five days, “tramples on the rights of individual members, detracts from the dignity of parliament, and has invited public criticism,” said Dr. Ansari in his concluding remarks. When the rules for the conduct of business were drawn up decades back, it was not visualised that perceived concerns or grievances would be articulated through disruption of proceedings.
Ms. Kumar, in her speech in the Lok Sabha, pointed out that 45 hours of the House were lost in the monsoon session due to interruptions and forced adjournments. The session, which began on July 26, had 26 sittings and the House functioned for 136 hours and 10 minutes. “Parliament is meant for debates and discussions...But the trend of disrupting the proceedings days on end is alarming and if not checked, will lead to unforeseen consequences.”
