Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 13: The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded on Thursday, was successful in terms of legislative business but remained unsatisfactory in terms of productivity, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said.

Addressing the media after both Houses were adjourned sine die, Rijiju said the session needed to be assessed from two perspectives — legislative business and debate and discussion.

“We view the Monsoon Session from two angles. In terms of business, it was a very successful session -- we passed a total of 12 bills. However, from the perspective of debate and discussion, it was not as successful,” he said.

In the Lok Sabha, only 19 per cent productivity was recorded against the total time allotted, while the Rajya Sabha registered 39 per cent productivity, Rijiju said, attributing the low figures to disruptions and walkouts by Opposition parties.

The Lower House saw debate on only one Bill, relating to paper leaks and their prevention.

The ‘Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act’ was passed by both Houses after deliberations and discussion, he said.

The passage of key legislations without adequate debate or discussion has drawn concern from political watchers and constitutional experts, with some MPs also raising questions over the seriousness of the issue.

Rijiju held the Opposition responsible for the disruptions during the Monsoon Session, accusing it of repeatedly stalling proceedings and “running away” from debate.

Admitting that the session did not live up to people's expectations, he said the Opposition's conduct resulted in repeated disruptions and adjournments of both Houses.

“This is the first time I have seen the Opposition shying away from debate. In a democracy, they seek answers from the government, and the government is bound to provide them. Yet, we witnessed a scenario where the government itself was forthcoming on discussion, but the Opposition kept making excuses to avoid. This is not healthy for the parliamentary democracy,” he said.

Rijiju further alleged that the government and the minister concerned were ready to respond to issues raised by the Opposition, but Opposition members neither participated in debates nor stayed to hear the Minister's response.

Lamenting the Congress party's disruptive conduct, Rijiju said he felt sorry for its MPs, particularly newly elected members, who he claimed failed to get an opportunity to speak and instead became “victims” of the uproar created by their own party.

He alleged that the Congress had adopted a mindset under which its members' role was reduced to arriving at the Parliament complex, raising slogans, engaging in name-calling and creating disruptions.

Rijiju said Congress MPs had been reduced to raising slogans, waving placards and creating ruckus, and expressed hope that their approach would change when Parliament reconvenes for the Winter Session.