The Hindu : National : Members concerned over short sessions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 01, 2007
ePaper

National

National

Members concerned over short sessions

Special Correspondent

Parliament is being bypassed: Dasgupta
Major issues could not be discussed

NEW DELHI: As members, cutting across party lines, on Friday expressed concern over the reduced number of sittings of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said he was willing to convene a meeting of party leaders to find a solution to the issue.

“I am deeply touched by your concern, but will it translate into action,” he observed during zero hour when Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) raised the issue, saying Parliament was being bypassed and all members and leaders needed to indulge in introspection.

Mr. Dasgupta regretted that entire Parliament was being made “irrelevant” as the sessions were being shortened every year and the current winter session was being held only for 11 days.

“It seems Parliament is becoming too much inconvenient for the government which comes to power,” he said. The CPI leader said at least 100 sittings should be held a year.

Pointing out that earlier Parliament used to have 120 to 128 sittings, he said it had now come down to 65 to 80. The present session was the shortest in the last nine years. Major issues such as price rise and suicides by farmers could not be discussed due to disruptions but he did not want to blame anybody, he said.

Government’s view

Disagreeing with Mr. Dasgupta, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.R. Dasmunsi asserted that Parliament had not been rendered irrelevant. Without naming any member, he said the government always wanted to find a solution to the problem. “In fact, more the sittings of Parliament, it is better for the government to remain accountable to Parliament,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National