11.03 hrs.
Title: References made on the conclusion of the Tenth Session of the Thirteenth Lok Sabha, commenced on 15th July 2002.
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members may recall that in my opening remarks at the commencement of the current Session, I had stressed upon the need for self-restraint and strict observance of and adherence to rules to ensure smooth and orderly conduct of the business of the House. I had also assured that it would be my earnest endeavour to make available to hon. Members sufficient opportunities to raise important issues on the floor of the House.
It is with some satisfaction that I can say that from 15th July to 2nd August, 2002, only seven hours and 22 minutes of the time of the House were lost due to interruptions which is mere 6.10 per cent of the total time as compared to 30.04 per cent during the previous Session.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members would appreciate that it is a marked improvement over the previous Session. We, more than, made up for this loss by sitting late on nine days.
… (Interruptions)
SARDAR BUTA SINGH (JALORE): Who is responsible? … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I will find out who is responsible.
During this period, the House passed 12 Bills and the Supplementary and Excess Demands for Grants (General) and held Short Duration Discussion on four important matters.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down.
As many as four subjects were raised through Calling Attention in just 15 sittings because this was the demand of the Members that Calling Attention notices should be taken up.
The percentage of Starred Questions answered on the floor of the House also increased from 8.68 per cent during the previous Session to 11.50 per cent during this Session.
Unfortunately, the House was rocked on 5th August, 2002 by the issue of allotment of petrol pumps etc. in the country.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI A.C. JOS (TRICHUR): It is not our fault. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I am mentioning the issue.
The House has been unable to transact any business in an orderly manner since then.
… (Interruptions)
SARDAR BUTA SINGH : The Government is responsible for that. … (Interruptions)
SHRI PRIYA RANJAN DASMUNSI (RAIGANJ): Sir, we are not responsible for this; the Government is responsible. … (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I have tried to resolve the deadlock by holding meetings with Leaders of Parties and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Please sit down.
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: I also requested the Leaders of the ruling and the Opposition Parties to sit together and find a mutually agreeable solution to the impasse. Any solution, however, seems to have eluded the leaders.
As the House is aware, I have repeatedly expressed my willingness to allow a discussion on this issue on the floor of the House under any parliamentary device. However, the major Opposition Parties have taken a stand that unless the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas resigns, it would not be possible for them to extend their co-operation in the smooth functioning of the House.
I am in no position to comment upon the merit of this stand. I am, however, concerned at the national waste caused by the adjournment of the House day after day without transacting any business.
I am left with only two alternatives under these circumstances.
… (Interruptions)
11.05 hrs
(At this stage, Shri Kantilal Bhuria and some other hon. Members came
and stood on the floor near the Table.)
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Either, I continue with the ritual of all of us meeting here for two more days up to 14th of August and adjourn the House on both these days without transacting any business.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदय: मैं किसी को ब्लेम नहीं कर रहा हूं।
… (Interruptions)
MR. SPEAKER: Alternatively, I can adjourn the House sine die today to enable the hon. Members to, at least, go back to their respective constituencies and do some constructive work for their constituents.
When it has become almost impossible to run the House in this manner, I am inclined to adjourn the House sine die in the sanguine hope that the interregnum would provide all of us an opportunity to ponder over the matter dispassionately so that this issue would not spill over to the next Session and we would all come back for the Winter Session in a more constructive frame of mind.
… (Interruptions)
11.05 1/2hrs
(At this stage, Shri Kantilal Bhuria and some other hon. Members
went back to their seats.)
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11.06 hrs.
NATIONAL SONG
MR. SPEAKER: May I request all of you to stand since the National Song is going to be played now?
(The National Song was played.)
MR. SPEAKER: The House stands adjourned sine die.
11.07 hrs
The Lok Sabha then adjourned sine die.
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