Lok Sabha works only for 20 hours, Speaker Om Birla expresses anguish

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday expressed anguish over the disruptions in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, as he announced that the Lower House functioned only for 20 hours 14 minutes out of scheduled 96 hours.

As the Session was adjourned sine die two days ahead of schedule amid continuing protests, the Speaker said that the productivity of the House was only 22 per cent. The House passed 20 Bills.

"The House could not function as per our expectations, I am deeply anguished by that. The stalemate continued, and could not be resolved," Mr Birla said.

"I share people's pain that their issues could not be discussed in the House," he said.

After the House was adjourned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, along with interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and leaders from other Opposition parties including Trinamool Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, BJD, YSRCP, and others met the Speaker.

Mr Birla urged all leaders to encourage debate and discussions instead of disruptions.

As the House witnessed protests, sloganeering, and placards were used, Birla stressed that it was against the traditions of Parliament, and MPs should maintain the dignity of the House.

While the Lok Sabha functioned only for a fraction of its allocated time, 20 Bills were passed. Apart from The Constitution (One Hundred Twenty Seventh) Amendment Bill, which restores States' power to have their own OBC lists, all other Bills were passed in din.

Taxation Laws Amendment Bill to nullify retrospective tax, Tribunal Reforms Bill to abolish as nine appellate tribunals, The Essential Defence Services Bill which bars employees of ordnance factories to go on strike, are among some of the Bills passed.

While the Opposition has protested against passage of bills in din, the Speaker said "Opposition has made statements outside the House, but in the House, they demand debate on Bills, but don't participate in the debate. My intention is always to allow maximum time for debates".

Over 74 hours were lost to protests in Lok Sabha in this session.

Asked about the new Parliament building under construction, the Speaker said it would be complete by next year.

"The building will be ready before 15 August, 2022. We are looking forward to celebrating the next Independence Day in the new Parliament," he said. (UNI)