Deadlock in Parl's Dec session casts worry over nxt session

The Winter Session was yet another disappointing one with the Parliament passing only 10 Bills in 20 sittings. The controversial Goods and Services Tax (GST) didn't even see the light of the day due to ruckus in the Lower House over various issues like the National Herald Case and DDCA.With the second washout Session, doubts are now being raised over the potential outcome of the Budget Session. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, AK Bhattacharya, Editor of Business Standard says that the Parliament needs a new template to engage the Opposition.BJP, while it is a majority party in the Lok Sabha, falls short of members to form majority in the Rajya Sabha. The ruling party will need to work on this to ensure easy passage for Bills in the coming session, Bhattacharya adds. Echoing the view, BJP spokesperson, Nalin Kohli says that the party had tried reaching out to the Opposition, but events both outside and inside the Parliament created disruptions. Countering the argument, Tom Vadakkan, Congress Spokesperson says that the ruling party needs to take Opposition in confidence while making policy and reforms decisions, which is not the case. He adds that issues like raids on the Delhi government and Dalit incidents needs to be taken up in the Parliament.BJP is of the opinion that monsoon as well as winter session were not completely waste as the Lok Sabha did function.While the parties continue to blame each other for less than expected performance, Bhattacharya says that the Parliament’s time is wasted when just ten bills, of which two are appropriations, are passed in the session. The move to pass Bankruptcy Bill to pass as a money bill does not set right presidency, he adds. A money bill is required to be passed only in the Lok Sabha and not Rajya Sabha. Watch videos for the full interview.