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Title: Mr. Speaker made on observation regarding the business transacted by the House during the week ending the 25th April, 2008.
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, for your information, I want to briefly recapitulate the main items of business transacted by the House during the last week.
During Question Hour, out of the 99 starred questions which were listed, only 25 could be answered orally. The replies to the remaining Starred Questions along with the replies to 999 Unstarred Questions for the same period were laid on the Table.
As regards, Financial and Legislative Business, the House discussed the Demands for Grants relating to the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Rural Development and Information and Broadcasting, for about 6 hours and 28 minutes, 5 hours and 36 minutes, 8 hours and 26 minutes and 3 hours and 55 minutes respectively and the demands relating to these Ministries were voted in full.
The Outstanding Demands for Grants (General) 2008-2009 of the remaining Ministries were submitted for vote of the House and were voted in full on 24 April, 2008 and the related Appropriation Bill was passed.
The House also discussed the Finance Bill, 2008 for about 2 hours and 37 minutes and the Bill remained part-discussed.
One Calling Attention regarding subsidence of land in entire coal belt in Asansol, Jharia and Raniganj and action taken by the Government in this regard was raised by Shri Basudeb Acharia. The Minister of State for Coal made a Statement and replied to the clarifications.
As regards the Private Members’ Business, 23 Bills were introduced. One Private Member’s Bill, viz., the Electoral Reforms Commission Bill, 2006 moved by Shri C.K. Chandrappan was further discussed for over 2 hours and 30 minutes and remained part discussed.
Five Statements were made by the Ministers on important subjects in the House.
During the last week, Members raised as many as 57 matters of urgent public importance. Also, 43 matters were raised under Rule 377.
The Departmentally Related Standing Committees presented ten Reports during the week.
We lost 9 hours and 9 minutes due to interruptions and adjournments last week. The House sat late for 1 hour and 49 minutes to compensate very partially the lost time.
Though we have lost some valuable time of the House, yet I take this opportunity to convey my sincere thanks to the Hon. Members for the co-operation and support generally extended to the Chair in smooth conduct of the proceedings.