Session Curtailed: Both House of Parlmt Adjourned Sine Die

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) The loss due to forced adjournments of more than 70 working hours notwithstanding, Parliament called an end to Part II of Budget Session 2007 three working days ahead of schedule abruptly adjourning sine die today.

The post-recess Budget Session -- which commenced April 26 -- saw members agitated over various issues including the Nandigram police firing, Gujarat fake encounters, and Maharashtra building a dam on Godavari river.

All resulted in pandemonia every other day forcing the respective Presiding Officers to adjourn -- initially briefly and finally for the day.

Listed Business was transacted in cursory fashion -- with most Bills passed in both Houses often without discussion. This fact was bemoaned by the respective Presiding Officers as well as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in end of session remarks.

In the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regretted that many of the codes of conduct had been forgotten by members.

''Members must reflect on what has happened... everything is not right in the parliamentary system'', Dr Singh said.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee expressed displeasure over the loss of 73 hours of business of the House due to forced adjournments.

The second phase of the Budget Session was scheduled to last till May 22.

Budget Session 2007, which began on February 23, was marked by passage of the General Budget, the Finance Bill, Railway Budget and various Appropriation Bills.

Eds: Here please pick up as desired from related series.

UNI