Lok Sabha productivity drops to 22 percent, 76 hours lost to disruptions in Rajya Sabha in Monsoon Session

The Lok Sabha functioned for 21 hours and 14 minutes against the stipulated time of 96 hours during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, speaker Om Birla said on August 11.

The business productivity of the House was 22 percent and 20 Bills were passed during the sittings, he said.

Similarly, Rajya Sabha recorded a business productivity of 28 percent as the House functioned for 28 hours and 21 minutes while 76 hours and 26 minutes were lost due to disruptions, officials said. Nineteen Bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha;s 17 sittings, they said.

The Lower House was adjourned sine die on August 11, two days before the scheduled conclusion of the session.

“House functioned for only 21 hours and 14 minutes. Out of the quorum of 96 working hours, work couldn't be done for 74 hrs and 46 minutes. Total productivity was 22 percent. A total of 20 Bills were passed, including the OBC Bill which was passed with the unanimous consent of all parties,” Birla said expressing sadness at the disruptions during the functioning of the House.

Read: "I spent sleepless night," says Rajya Sabha Chairman as he breaks down while condemning Opposition's ruckus

The Session that began on July 19 was marred by ruckus and uproar with Opposition members stalling proceedings in both the Houses demanding discussions on the Pegasus Project Report, farmers' agitation, and price rise. The Session was scheduled to end on August 13.

"Productivity of this Lok Sabha session didn't go as per my expectations. In last 2 years, the House achieved 122% productivity. I always try to maintain a high level of productivity of the House. The deadlock affected the functioning in this session," Birla said.

In Both the Houses, most of the Bills were passed within minutes and without any discussions. The exception, however, was the Constitution (127th Amendment) Bill, 2021, which saw orderly discussion during its passage in Lok Sabha as the Opposition paused their protests on August 10.

Last year’s Monsoon Session, held amid COVID-19 in September, saw 167 percent business productivity in Lok Sabha and 100.47 percent productivity in Rajya Sabha. The session was curtailed due to the pandemic was the shortest but the most productive in two decades. At least 25 Bills were passed in the 18-day session, curtailed by eight days.

In the Budget Session of Parliament held in February-March this year, the business productivity of Lok Sabha was 114 percent.  The first part of the Budget session was productive with business being transacted even beyond midnight on certain days.

Lok Sabha has adjourned sine die today with 114% productivity during #BudgetSession. Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji, Leaders of all parties & Hon'ble Members extended their support. Members further strengthened the tradition of meaningful dialogue by late-night participation.

— Lok Sabha Speaker (@loksabhaspeaker) March 25, 2021

Also, read : Parliament Monsoon Session: Opposition blames Centre for deadlock, seeks debate on Pegasus in both Houses

The Rajya Sabha witnessed chaotic scenes on August 10 during the discussion on farmers’ issues with at least two leaders from the Opposition climbing atop the reporters’ table, one waving a black cloth and another throwing a file at the chair after the House was adjourned. While the Rajya Sabha television did not show the scenes of ruckus, Opposition MPs recorded the events and posted them on their Twitter handles.

Repeat of September 2020, in Rajya Sabha today. ALL opposition parties call out Govt bluff. #FarmerProtests on the streets, MPs inside #Parliament

Govt running away from #Pegasus

Govt running away from repealing Farm Laws. Oppn MPs VIDEO pic.twitter.com/Q8sJSUqFnS

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) August 10, 2021

The Opposition, however, blamed the government for not allowing discussions on important issues.

“Lok Sabha has been adjourned sine die, as opposed to its scheduled date August 13. The government took the sudden decision to adjourn it; there was no discussion on important issues. It only wants to paint Opposition in a bad light,” Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha said.