R S adjourns indefinitely after 17 sittings in Winter Session

New Delhi, Dec 7 (UNI) The 212nd Winter Session of the Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die today after 17 sittings and 84 hours of work.

The House lost 18 hours on issues on situations like Nandigram violence in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh serial bomb blasts, protest over All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bill, Draft National Mineral Policy and Babri Masjid demolition.

The House approved President's rule in Karnataka and dissolution of the House while it also saw the Government deferring of the Bill concerning Post Graduatue Medical Education and Research Bill.

However the House made up the loss by 26 hours by sitting late or skipping lunch to complete legislative and other important businesses, Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari announced on the concluding session of the House.

Violence in Nandigram, Indo-US nuclear deal and misuse of Central funds under the NREGP consumed more than 21 hours in the form of short duration discussions.

The House saw the joining of Mr Ambeth Rajan of the Bahujan Samaj Party while the House condoled the death of its sitting MP K Jana Krishnamurthy of the BJP and three former MPs Dr L M Singhvi, S R Bommai and Mr J P Mathur.

There were 12 suo-motu statements by the ministers either made or land on the table of the House on issues including National Policy for farmers, violence by adivasi students in Assam, stay of controversial Bengali writer Taslima Nasreen, status of National Rural Employment Guarantee, the plight of Malaysian Hindus of Indian origin and Schedule Tribes and traditional forest dwellers Act.

There were over 80 special mentions on matters of public importance while 91 reports of various Parliamentary Committee were laid on the table of the House.

UNI