This refers to the editorial, “Wasted Winter Session” (December 25). Despite the pro-active intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, by inviting Congress president Sonia Gandhi for high-tea, all hopes of transactions were dashed due to an obstinate Congress. Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari did his best to infuse decorum in the upper House. He was successful in convincing the leaders to allow smooth functioning of the House for the last three days. Mr Ansari was able to get the contentious juvenile justice Bill passed.
However, much to the Government's dismay, the Goods and Services Tax Bill did not receive even a cursory glance from the Opposition. The wasted discussion time and question hours in the Rajya Sabha begs for a prudent mechanism to be put in place so that crucial Bills do not lie in limbo due to party and political considerations. It is high time that both Houses of Parliament are strengthened to make them forums for analysing and dissecting people's problems for public betterment.