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Title: The Speaker made valedictory reference on the conclusion of the 5th session of 15th Lok sabha.
MADAM SPEAKER: Hon. Members, the fifth session of the Fifteenth Lok Sabha, which commenced on 26th July, 2010 is coming to a close today.
During the Session, we had 26 sittings spread over 136 hours and ten minutes
The Session saw the disposal of important Financial, Legislative and other Business. Discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) for 2010-11 lasted for 3 hours and 27 minutes before the demands were voted and the related Appropriation Bill was passed.
A discussion on Supplementary Demands for Grants in respect of the State of Jharkhand 2010-11, lasted for 1 hour and 21 minutes before the demands were voted and the related Appropriation Bill was passed.
Discussion on the Supplementary Demands for Grants (Railways) 2010-11 was held on 19th August, 2010. The debate lasted for over 2 hours and 40 minutes, and the Demands were voted and the Appropriation Bill was passed.
During the Session, 18 Bills were introduced and 20 Bills were passed. Some of the important Bills passed were the Securities and Insurance Laws (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2010; the State Bank of India (Amendment) Bill, 2010; the Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2010; the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2010; the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2010; the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2010; the Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2010; the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2010; the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010; the Educational Tribunals Bill, 2010; the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill, 2010; Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2010; and the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2010.
During the Session, 460 Starred Questions were listed, out of which 46 Questions could be answered orally. Thus, on an average, about 1.91 Questions could be answered per day. Written replies to the remaining Starred Questions along with 5,283 Unstarred Questions were laid on the Table. Unfortunately, the Question Hour was disrupted on 11 days and Questions listed on those days could not be answered by the concerned Ministers orally.
One half-an-hour discussion was raised by Shri Rudra Madhab Ray on the availability of Fertilizers and the Minister replied thereto.
About 314 matters of urgent public importance were raised by the Members after the Question Hour and by sitting late in the evening. Hon. Members also raised 276 matters under Rule 377.
The Standing Committees presented 45 Reports to the House.
The House also held six short duration discussions under Rule 193 on the subjects of urgent public importance.
Out of the six discussions, discussion concluded on the four discussions, namely, (i) the situation arising out of delay in preparation for Commonwealth Games, 2010; (ii) on Bhopal Gas Tragedy; (iii) Flood and drought situation in the country; and (iv) situation arising out of increasing atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the country. Two short duration discussions on the (i) illegal mining in various States; and (ii) on the Statement made by the Minister of Home Affairs in the House on 4th August, 2010 regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir remained part-discussed.
The House also held discussions on two Motions on important subjects, namely, (i) inflationary pressure on the economy and its adverse impact on the common man; and (ii) on the issues of Population Stabilization in the country
During the Session, seven matters were raised by way of Calling Attention, namely, (i) the situation arising out of recent spurt in the incidents of “Honour Killings” in the country; (ii) situation arising out of rampant adulteration of food and edible substances in the country; (iii) the situation arising out of economic blockade by Naga Organisations on the National Highway Nos. 39 and 53 in Manipur; (iv) rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamil Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS); (v) the need to include Bhojpuri and Rajasthani languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution; (vi) situation arising out of recent attacks on Indian Fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy; and (vii) the situation arising out of rejection of 40 lakh tonnes of rice variety PAU-201 by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India citing provisions of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 and Food Safety Standards Act, 2006. In response to these Calling Attentions, the Ministers concerned made Statements and also replied to the clarifications sought by Members.
As many as 57 Statements were made by the Ministers on various other important subjects and four Statements were made by Hon. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs on Government Business.
Coming to the Private Members’ Business, 24 Private Members’ Bills were introduced during the Session. Discussion on a Bill, the Compulsory Voting Bill, 2009 seeking to provide for compulsory voting in elections to the House of the People or Legislative Assemblies by every eligible citizen of the country, which had remained part-discussing during the last Session, was further discussed on 13th August, 2010 and was withdrawn by leave of the House by Shri J.P. Agarwal, the Member-in-charge of the Bill. Another Bill, namely, the Child Welfare Bill, 2009 seeking to provide for various measures for welfare of children moved by Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on 13th August, 2010 remained part-discussed.
Discussion on Private Members’ Resolution regarding identification of families living below poverty line and welfare measures for them moved by Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh on 21st April, 2010 during the last Session continued on 6th and 21st August, 2010. The Resolution was withdrawn by Dr. Raghuvansh
Prasad Singh on 21st August, 2010. Another Resolution regarding special status to the State of Bihar, moved by Dr. Bhola Singh on 21st August, 2010, remained part-discussed.
Hon. Members, we lost 45 hours of time due to interruptions and forced adjournments. Parliament is meant for debates and discussions. Any matter permissible under the Constitution and Rules of Procedure can be discussed here. But the trend of disrupting the proceedings days on end is alarming and, if not checked, will ultimately lead to unforeseen consequences. Political parties and individuals should seriously ponder over the irreparable damage being done to parliamentary democracy by such disruptions. We are sitting here today because of the sacrifices of countless patriotic Indians. The institution of Parliament is the magnificent legacy of the glorious struggle for independence. It is the sacred duty of successive generations to preserve and protect this institution. I call upon all concerned to resolve to preserve the sanctity of Parliament. Let informed debates and discussions take place inside the Chamber at all time instead of slogans and mock discussions.
I would like to thank the hon. Deputy Speaker and my colleagues in the Panel of Chairmen for their help and cooperation in the completion of Business of the House. I am extremely grateful to the hon. Prime Minister, Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, Chairperson of UPA, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Leaders of various Parties and Groups as well as the Chief Whips apart from the hon. Members for their cooperation. I would also like to thank, on behalf of all of you, our friends in the Media. I take this opportunity to compliment the Secretary-General for his competent and expert assistance. I thank the officers and staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat for their dedicated and prompt service to the House. I also thank the allied agencies for their able assistance in the conduct of the proceedings of the House.
Members may now stand up as Vande Mataram would be played.
17.22 hrs.
NATIONAL SONG
(The National Song was played.)
17.23 hrs.
The Lok Sabha then adjourned sine die.