Budget session: 99% of allotted time used

NEW DELHI: The first half of the Budget Session, which began with opposition parties boycotting the President’s address to Parliament and saw protests and disruptions over three farm laws, was able to utilise about 99% of its allotted time, according to official records.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Saturday, ending the first phase of the Budget Session, which witnessed 13 privilege notices filed by MPs. Parliament will reconvene on March 8 after recess.

The recess allows department-related standing committees to examine demands for grants of various ministries.

The Rajya Sabha proceedings ended on Friday, while the Lok Sabha sat on Saturday morning to complete the discussion on the Union Budget. Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu said that the Upper House clocked 99% productivity, with a net time loss of only 30 minutes due to disruptions.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that the Lower House utilised 99.5% of its time by sitting for longer hours after four consecutive days were washed out over demand for an exclusive debate on three farm laws.

Parliament cleared two bills — The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021— during the brief first half that was cut short by two days from its original schedule.

“We still have to go for the second part. I only appeal to the members not to miss any Standing Committee meeting. Please see to it that you attend all the Standing Committee meetings and make contribution also,” Naidu said. Birla, in his speech, said: “49 women MPs participated in the vote of thanks on the President’s address and discussion on the budget”.