New Delhi: After general elections for the 18th Lok Sabha, the first session of Lok Sabha and 264th session of Rajya Sabha, which were respectively called from June 24 and 27, 2023, concluded today. While the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die yesterday, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die today.
However, before the conclusion, the Opposition walked out when the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House, Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to intervene in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on the Constitution in the course of his speech in Rajya Sabha in response to the discussion on Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. “…the Constitution given by Baba Saheb Ambedkar has given opportunities to people like us,” he said.
At this point, Kharge sought to make a point of order and intervene in the speech but Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar ignored his demands, prompting the Opposition to raise slogans, “LoP ko bolne do (Let the Leader of Opposition speak)”.
Modi went on to add, “I remember when I said in the Lok Sabha on behalf of our government that we will celebrate 29th November as Constitution Day. So I am surprised, that those who today keep jumping with a copy of the Constitution, keep waving it in the world, those people had protested that it is 26th January so why should they bring Constitution Day…”
Kharge wanted to intervene here too, but he was not allowed by the Chairman, which led to the INDIA bloc parties walking out of the Rajya Sabha along with the Biju Janata Dal.
Modi continued his speech for another hour, and then, after the Motion was adopted, the Upper House was adjourned sine die.
In his valedictory remark at the conclusion of the 264th Session of the Rajya Sabha today, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar said it was” extremely painful” to notice that even the Leader of Opposition walked into the well of the House and that was a “disgrace to Parliamentary conduct and propriety”.
He said he expected Rajya Sabha Members “to exemplify their conduct so that this becomes a temple of deliberation, discussion, dialogue and debate”. He added: “They walked away from their constitutional ordainment and that has sent a dangerous precedent, antithetical to democratic values.”
Dhankar said that the House lost 43 minutes due to forced adjournments, the shortfall of which was made up by continuing discussion during the lunch break and sitting beyond the scheduled time. “Due to extended sitting, the total duration of business was finally extended by three hours beyond the scheduled time and therefore we scored more than 100% in our productivity,” he said.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here today, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju gave the details of the proceedings of this session of the Parliament. The first two days in Lok Sabha were devoted exclusively to the purpose of Oath/Affirmation of newly elected Members of the 18th Lok Sabha. During the Session in total 539 out of 542 Members took Oath/Affirmation.
For facilitation of Oath/Affirmation, the President of India appointed Bhartruhari Mehtab as Speaker Protem under Article 95(1) of the Constitution and Suresh Kodikunnil, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, TR Baalu and Sudip Bandyopadhyay, persons before whom Members may make and subscribe Oath/Affirmation under Article 99 of the Constitution.
On June 26, 2024, the election of Speaker of Lok Sabha was held and Om Birla, Member of Lok Sabha was elected as the Speaker through voice vote. On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced his Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha.
On June 27, 2024, the President addressed both Houses of Parliament assembled under Article 87 of the Constitution, giving details of past achievements of the government and also detailing out roadmap for the future development of the nation.
On June 27, 2024, the Prime Minister introduced his Council of Ministers to the Rajya Sabha.
Discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address was scheduled to commence on June 28, 2024, in both Houses.
In Lok Sabha, due to interruptions, debate on the subject could be initiated only on July 1, 2024. Anurag Thakur, MP, initiated the debate while Bansuri Swaraj, MP, seconded the discussion in Lok Sabha. In total 68 Members took part in the debate while more than 50 Members laid their speeches on the Table of the House. The debate was replied to by the Prime Minister after a discussion of more than 18 hours on July 2, 2024.
There were 7 Sittings of about 34 hours in Lok Sabha and the productivity despite one day’s washout has been 105%.
In Rajya Sabha, a discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address was initiated by Sudhanshu Trivedi, MP which was seconded by Kavita Patidar, MP, on June 28, 2024. In total 76 Members took part in the debate of more than 21 hours which was replied to by the Prime Minister on July 3, 2024.
– global bihari bureau
