JOIN USAs many as seven bills were introduced and seven were passed in the month-long winter session from Nov 22-Dec 20, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said while adjourning the lower house of parliament sine die Thursday.
Among the important bills passed were the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012, the Companies Bill, 2012, and the Constitution (One Hundred-Eighteenth Amendment) Bill, 2012 (Insertion of new article 371J), said the speaker.
During the session, the house sat late for 11 hours and 27 minutes but lost over 59 hours due to interruptions followed by forced adjournments.
The session also approved Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2012-13 and passed the related Appropriation Bill.
During the session, three important matters were raised by way of Calling Attention -- spread of dengue and chikungunya, plight of coconut growers of Tamil Nadu and dilution of Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use) Act, 1987.
The bill promising reservation to Dalits and tribals in job promotions could not be passed despite several adjournments as the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the BJP members disrupted proceedings.
The Rajya Sabha was also adjourned sine die after it too passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012.