The productivity of Rajya Sabha fell to 16.49 per cent during the second week of the Monsoon session from 26.90 per cent during the first week as the House witnessed repeated interruptions, adjournments, and suspension of 23 Opposition members.
Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed disappointment saying “obstruction is the destruction of parliamentary democracy”.
The cumulative productivity of the House for the first two weeks of this session has been a low of 21.58 percent, according to RS officials.
During the 10 sittings so far, the Rajya Sabha functioned for 11 hours 8 minutes out of the scheduled 51 hours 35 minutes, losing 40 hours 45 minutes due to disruptions and forced disruptions, the RS Secretariat said.
No Bill could be passed and discussion on the Weapons of Mass Destruction Bill has still to conclude. Similarly, no Zero Hour submissions could be made and there were no Special Mentions for eight days. The question Hour could not take place on six days during the first two weeks, they added
During the inaugural session of the Orientation program of new RS members, Naidu on Saturday stressed that a sense of mutual respect and accommodation would ensure discipline that enhances the dignity of the House. “Disruptions only hurt the interests of the parliamentarians”.
The concluding day session on Sunday was chaired by Deputy Chairman Harivansh.
Noting that members rushing into the Well of the House and showing placards is not graceful to parliamentary democracy, Naidu said there were two opinions on showing the same to the people through live telecast.
Both Houses of Parliament have witnessed unruly scenes during this Monsoon session with Opposition members trying to corner the government over multiple issues including price rise, Goods and Service Tax, the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme, and the alleged misuse of Central agencies. Over two dozen Opposition MPs were suspended from both the Houses for their alleged “misbehaviour”.
Expressing concerns over the massive disruption in the proceedings of the Parliament, Harivansh stated that apart from the expenses incurred in running the house, disruption in Parliament has an adverse impact on the life of common man.
During the second day of the orientation event, Harivansh said legislature is the most important organ and considered as the ‘Light House’ in a democracy.
He further added that the legislature should discharge its duties in a proper manner and the Government should be mindful of its accountability to the Parliament. Parliament can abdicate its responsibility only at its own peril. Continued interruption in Parliament can give way to lack of executive accountability and judicial overreach.
The second day of the programme began with a session on ‘Parliamentary Privileges’ delivered by Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Derek O’ Brien engaged the attention of the Members through his unique interaction full of practical tips as guidance on the subject ‘Raising Matters of Public Importance’.