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Budget session comes to an end

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The budget session of Parliament ended on Friday and both Houses adjourned sine die.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar expressed strong “displeasure” over the disruptions caused by the members and subsequent adjournments. The Opposition parties disrupted the proceedings of both Houses on the Indian Premier League issue, rise in the prices of essential commodities, phone tapping, the Shashi Tharoor controversy, demand for caste-based census, the Women's Reservation Bill, the 2G spectrum issue and demand for sacking Communications Minister A. Raja, and the nuclear liability Bill.

Mr. Ansari expressed anguish over the lowering of the “image of the legislature” in the eyes of the public due to disruptions and adjournments. “Rules for the conduct of business were sought to be flouted with disturbing frequency. The question hour became its principal victim and could not be conducted on 13 of the 31 scheduled sittings.”

Ms. Kumar said it was a matter of concern that the House did not function on many days. “Parliamentary democracy can survive only if members allow the House to function. Disruption will gradually render this institution irrelevant.”

Later the Speaker told journalists that she would speak to all parties on whether question hour needed to be shifted (from its 11 a.m. slot). “Very few questions were asked. Since the government is accountable to Parliament, it is vital that questions are asked,” she said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal said the Lok Sabha lost 70 hours of its scheduled proceedings (36.6%) due to disturbances, and the Rajya Sabha lost 45 hours (28%). Questions could not be answered for four days in the Lok Sabha and seven days in the Upper House. He criticised some members of the ruling party for disturbing the proceedings.

Earlier, Ms. Kumar told the Lok Sabha that for the first time in the history of Parliament cut motions on the demands were treated as moved and were negatived.

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