The Winter Session of Parliament, which began on November 25 and concluded on December 20, saw the Lok Sabha losing over 70 hours to disruptions, resulting in a productivity rate of just 52%, according to PRS Legislative Research. The disruptions, fueled by protests and heated debates, cost taxpayers an estimated ₹97.88 crore.
Breakdown of Hours Lost
Official reports indicate that the Lok Sabha lost:
- 5 hours and 37 minutes in its first sitting,
- 1 hour and 53 minutes in its second sitting,
- 65 hours and 15 minutes in its third sitting.
The disruptions stemmed from protests by Congress over issues such as the Prime Minister’s alleged ties with industrialists Gautam Adani and George Soros, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s controversial remark referring to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a “fashion.”
Debate Hours in the Lok Sabha
Despite the disruptions, the Lok Sabha managed:
- 34 hours of debate in its first sitting,
- 115 hours of debate in the second, and
- 62 hours in the third sitting.
Bills Passed During the Winter Session
Among the legislative activity, four major bills were passed:
- The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2024
Bills Introduced:
- In the first sitting, no bills were introduced.
- In the second sitting, 12 bills were introduced, with four passed.
- In the third sitting, five bills were introduced, of which four were passed.
Key Bills Introduced in the Third Sitting:
- The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
- The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
- The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024
- The Appropriation (No. 3) Bill, 2024
Issues Raised Under Rule 377
Rule 377 allows members to bring specific matters to the Speaker’s attention for discussion, provided prior approval is secured. During this session:
- 41 issues were raised in the first sitting,
- 358 issues in the second, and
- 397 issues in the third sitting.
Kiren Rijiju Blames Congress
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Congress for the disruptions, holding them responsible for the reduced productivity of the Lok Sabha.
“Repeated protests and unruly behavior have not only hampered the legislative process but have also caused significant financial loss,” Rijiju said.
