Post-pandemic monsoon sessions have been the least productive

Monsoon session productivity has dipped post pandemic

The monsoon session of Parliament began on a stormy note on July 21, with both houses meeting briefly on Day 1. A rocky monsoon session, typically held during July-September period, has almost become a norm lately. Average productivity of the Lok Sabha during monsoon sessions dropped sharply to 51.5 percent between 2021 and 2024 from 91.8 percent in 2015–2019, a Moneycontrol analysis of PRS Legislative Research data shows.

The Rajya Sabha saw a marginal improvement but remained low at 56.8 percent post-pandemic from 50.4 percent in the pre-pandemic period.

In contrast, budget and winter sessions have been more productive. The Lok Sabha recorded an average productivity of 99.5 percent during the budget sessions from 2021 to 2024, up from 89.8 percent in the five years preceding the coronavirus pandemic. Winter sessions productivity rose to 72.8 percent post-2020 from 69.6 percent during 2015–2019.

The Rajya Sabha followed similar pattern. Budget session productivity rose 81.4 percent in the post-pandemic period (2021–24) from 78.6 percent, while that of winter session increased to 64.3 percent from 48.2 percent during 2015–2019.

Productivity is measured by the number of working hours in both houses, the bills passed, questioned asked and debates held during a parliamentary session.

This monsoon session is likely to remain tense, with the Opposition expected to raise special poll revision exercise in Bihar, the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor among other issues.

“I am the Leader of Opposition; it is my right. I am never allowed to speak,” said Rahul Gandhi after a Lok Sabha adjournment on July 21, calling it a “new approach”.