RS productivity 27% in Winter Session

Rajya Sabha functioned for only 27% of its allotted time during the Winter Session as the Modi government and the Opposition could not reach a consensus on the business to be taken up in the House.

The Lok Sabha fared a tad better as it functioned for 47% of its allotted time and approved key legislations such as the bills to replace the Ordinances on triple talaq, Indian Medical Council Act and the Companies Act. However, the bills were stalled in the Rajya Sabha that remained disrupted for most of its time.

According to an analysis by PRS Legislative Research, productivity of Parliament during the Winter Session was the "third lowest" in the 16th Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspended 49 members — mostly of the AIADMK and the TDP — for causing repeated disruptions in the House and not heeding to requests from the chair to maintain decorum.

Lok Sabha, which had 17 sittings spread over a period of 29 days, was adjourned sine die on Tuesday, while Rajya Sabha, which had 18 sittings over a period of 30 days, was adjourned sine die on Wednesday.

During the session, 17 bills — 12 in Lok Sabha and five in Rajya Sabha — were introduced.

Five bills were passed by both Houses of Parliament and four pending bills were withdrawn in Rajya Sabha.

Out of the 17 sittings, the Lok Sabha was adjourned before its scheduled time on 14 days. The Rajya Sabha saw early adjournments for 16 out of the 18 days it functioned.

The extra sitting of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday triggered a slanging match between the government and the opposition, which claimed that it was not consulted on the extension of the Winter Session by a day.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel rejected the Opposition charge saying the issue was discussed during the Business Advisory Committee meetings.