Parliament Adjourned Sine Die

 New Delhi: The Monsoon Session of Parliament, marred by frequent disruptions over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, was on Thursday adjourned sine die. The session had commenced on July 21. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh regretted that repeated disruptions deprived Parliament of meaningful discussion on matters of public importance.

However, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju described the session as "fruitful and successful" for the country and the government but "unsuccessful and damaging" for the opposition. Rijiju said the government got all its business transacted and the session had a “success rate of 100 per cent”, insisting that the treasury benches were forced to pass the bills amid the din as the Opposition refused to pay heed to their request to allow discussion.

The Lok Sabha lost 84 hours and five minutes due to interruptions and forced

adjournments. Twelve bills were passed by the Lok Sabha and 15 by the Rajya Sabha. Both the Houses also held a discussion on Operation Sindoor.

"In this session, 419 starred questions were listed (in the Lok Sabha), but due to continuous and deliberate disruptions, only 55 could be taken up for oral answers. At the beginning of the session, we had agreed to devote 120 hours for discussion and debate. Due to continuous deadlock and disruptions, we could barely work for 37 hours," Speaker Birla said.

Observing that sloganeering, displaying placards in the Lok Sabha or the Parliament premises and disruptions harmed the dignity of parliamentary proceedings, Birla said that the public had great expectations from the representatives and they should utilise their time in the House for serious and meaningful discussions on problems and issues of public interest and on important legislation. He said that the kind of

language and behaviour witnessed in the Monsoon Session was not in keeping with the decorum of Parliament.

Before being adjourned sine die, the Rajya Sabha approved a motion for reference of three bills, including for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and ministers arrested on serious criminal charges for 30 days, to a joint committee. The motion was moved by home minister Amit Shah amid din in the House. The Upper House also passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, without debate.

In his valedictory address, Deputy Chairman Harivansh lamented that the session was marred by repeated disruptions, and members could not get an opportunity

to raise meaningful issues despite the best efforts of the chair. "This not only results in the loss of precious Parliamentary time but deprives us of the opportunity to deliberate on several matters of public importance," he said.

Harivansh said the House functioned for only 41 hours and 15 minutes. "The productivity of this session stood at a disappointing 38.88 per cent, something that calls for serious introspection," he noted.

The Deputy Chairman said that the members had the opportunity to raise 285 questions, 285 Zero Hour submissions, and 285 special mentions. However, only 14 questions, 7 Zero Hour submissions, and 61 special mentions could actually be taken up. "While these contributions are of value, they represent only a fraction of what this august House is capable of achieving when it functions to its full potential," he said.

Rijiju said that the Opposition could not prevent the government from working, with its protests. "The government has to discharge its duties to people in the national

interest," he said.

In a swipe at the Opposition parties, especially the Congress, he said their floor leaders and whips at times came to an informal understanding with the government during the session, but could not implement it in the two Houses. "They might be under pressure," he said, suggesting that their leadership was determined to obstruct Parliament's proceedings.

"How will the new MPs of the Congress learn? Their leader does not learn," he said, referring to the need for the members to participate in debates and discussions to grow as a parliamentarian.