Winter Session: Parliament adjourned sine die, a week ahead of schedule

The Winter Session, which began on December 7, has seen stormy scenes and frequent adjournments.

New Delhi, Dec 23: The Winter session of Parliament ended on Monday four days ahead of schedule.

The Winter session of Parliament, which commenced on December 7, was to otherwise end on December 29. However, a decision was taken in the Business Advisory Committee -- chaired by the Speaker of Lok Sabha and comprising representatives of the government and various parties to curtail the session.

On this occasion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who was Presiding in the House, said that during the Tenth Session of the 17th Lok Sabha, 13 sittings were held and Lok Sabha sat for 68 hours and 42 minutes. The productivity of the House during the Session was 97 per cent and many important legislative businesses were transacted.

Birla also said that during the Session, 09 Bills were introduced and 07 Bills were passed. Some of the important bills which were passed during the Session are: The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill, 2019; The Appropriation (No.4) Bill, 2022; The Appropriation (No.5) Bill, 2022; The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth) Amendment Bill, 2022; and The Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022.

Supplementary Demands for Grants - First Batch for 2022-2023 and Demands for Excess Grants for 2019-2020 which were passed on 14th December, 2022 were discussed for 10 hours and 53 minutes.

Birla also noted that on 20 December, 2022, the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was referred to a Joint Committee of both the Houses of Parliament consisting of 21 Members from Lok Sabha and 10 Members from Rajya Sabha.

On 22nd December, 2022, The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2022 was referred to a Joint Committee of both the Houses of Parliament consisting of 21 Members from Lok Sabha and 10 Members from Rajya Sabha.

Mentioning about Question Hour, Birla said that 56 Starred questions were orally answered in the House during the Session. Answers to 2760 Unstarred Questions were laid on the Table of the House. Besides, 298 matters of public importance were raised under Rule 377. Members raised 374 matters of urgent public importance during Zero Hour.

The Speaker added that Standing Committees presented 36 reports to the House and 43 Statements, including 02 Statements of the Parliamentary Affairs on Business of the House, were made to the House during the Session. A total number of 1811 Papers were Laid on the Table of the House.

Mentioning about Short Duration Discussions, Birla said that two discussions were held under Rule 193 during the Session. Discussion on the "Need to promote sports in India and steps taken by the Government in this regard" concluded on 9th December, 2022 and the discussion lasted for 8 hours and 6 minutes against allotted time of 2 hours. Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur replied to the discussion. Discussion on "Problem of drug abuse in India and steps taken by the Government" concluded on 21 December, 2022 with reply of Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah. This was discussed for 7 hours and 13 minutes.

About Private Members' Bills, Shroi Birla informed that during the session, 59 Bills on various subjects were introduced by private members. Further, discussion on "The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (Insertion of new section 29AA)" by Gopal Chinayya Shetty continued on 9th December, 2022, which could not be completed. Similarly, the discussion on the resolution of beautification and modernization of railway stations by Reddeppa Nallakonda Gari continued on 16th December, 2022 and could not be completed.

Discussion on the resolution on Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers by Ritesh Pandey was held on 16 December, 2022 which was concluded with the reply of Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani.

Speaking on capacity building of Members, Birla said that as a step towards capacity building of the Members of Parliament, 03 Briefing Sessions were organized on various important Bills which were considered by the House.

Mentioning about other programmes, Birla said that during the Session, a series of sensitisation programmes on G-20 was organized for Members of Parliament by PRIDE during the Session.

Parliamentary Delegations from Zimbabwe also visited during the session. Parliamentary delegation from Zimbabwe National Assembly led by Speaker of the Assembly, His Excellency, Advocate Jacob Mudenda called on Lok Sabha Speaker on 8th December, 2022. Besides, an exhibition of Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) products organized by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was inaugurated in Parliament House Complex on 12th December, 2022. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the exhibition.

On the last day of the Session, interacting with the media in Parliament House Complex, Birla said that differences of views of political parties on several issues are natural in a functional democracy but they need to be reflected in the form of healthy debates. Agreements and disagreements on issues may be reflected in debates and not through disruption, noted Birla.

Noting that smooth conduct of the House is the responsibility of all stakeholders, the Speaker said that House must be run in accordance with the collective will and consensus. He appealed the Members not to resort to disruptive tactics in the House and participate in the House proceedings to highlight people's issues and to strengthen democracy.

Due to increase in number of Covid cases in other countries, Birla advised Members and the public to adhere to guidelines issued by the Government to prevent spread of the disease.