Parliament Winter Session: Productivity Fares Poorly In Ruckus-Filled Weeks

The winter session of Parliament fared poorly in terms of performance in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha as the government and opposition locked horns over contentious issues with neither side yielding.

The Rajya Sabha saw productivity of just 39% while the Lok Sabha did a little better at 52%, as per legislative think tank PRS India, compared to a 148% productivity in Lok Sabha and 137% in Rajya Sabha in the budget session.

The lower house was adjourned indefinitely on Friday amid protests by the opposition and the treasury benches over the alleged insult to BR Ambedkar and directions by Speaker Om Birla to members against holding demonstrations at any gate of Parliament.

Two key bills outlining the framework for holding simultaneous elections were introduced during the session and were referred to a joint committee of Parliament on Friday for further examination and broader consultations. The government has advocated strongly for the 'One Nation One Election' plan, which requires a Constitutional amendment.

Additionally, the Lok Sabha held a debate last week marking 75 years since the adoption of the Constitution, during which both the treasury and opposition benches engaged in a series of confrontational exchanges.

The Lok Sabha sat an extra day last week to discuss the workings of the Constitution. The Constitution was discussed for 16 hours in the Lok Sabha and 17 hours in the Rajya Sabha.

While several notices for adjournment motions were received in the Lok Sabha, none were accepted.

(With PTI inputs)