RS adjourned sine die, Naidu voices concern on disruptions, rues missed opportunities for debate

New Delhi, Apr 6: The Rajya Sabha was on Friday adjourned sine die with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu voicing his concern over disruptions and ruing the missed opportunities for debate during the second half of the Budget session.

Soon after the laying of papers, the Chairman, giving his speech on the concluded second half of the Budget session, said, 'The House has failed to fulfill its responsibility towards the people.'
On the occasion, he lauded the contribution of the retiring Deputy chairman of the House P J Kurien in running it amid bedlam and uproar on various issues.
Thereafter, he adjourned the house sine die.
In his statement, Mr Naidu, referring to the logjam that had paralysed functioning of the House, told members 'I am pained to note that it turned out to be an eminently forgettable one on account of the utter disregard of this important Parliamentary institution and its responsibilities and the missed opportunities.
While it is customary for the Chairman on this day to give a brief account of what has been done and delivered by the House, today I am compelled to reflect on what could not be done during such an important session, which is the longest in the year with about 30 working days. This is a sad commentary on the functioning of our Parliamentary institutions, reiterating the perception that they are on the decline.’’
The Chairman said, 'No legislative work was transacted except passing of the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill, 2028 and that too without any discussion even as several important Bills awaited your consideration.’’
Expressing concern that the House failed to discuss issues of public concern like the Supreme court order on the SC/ST Act, the weaknesses in the management and monitoring of the public sector banks, the issues of concern for people of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Mr Naidu said that while he had admitted discussion on all issues of concern, it was beyond his comprehension why this could not be discussed.
‘’Members and leaders are aware that I have admitted discussions on all the issues of concern to various sections of the House. It is beyond my comprehension as to why the house could not take up any of these issues which were of larger public concern,’’he said.
Mr Naidu said, 'All were losers, including the Opposition and Government”.
‘’At the end of such a long session what is that we can show to the people of our country is as our contribution towards addressing their concern and furthering their genuine aspirations? I am afraid nothing. As a result we are all losers. This includes the opposition, the ruling party the government and most importantly, the people and the nation. All of you need to now reflect on how we all together end up in such a loose-loose situation when it could have been a win win situation. It is time to wake up and look at the way forward,’’ Mr Naidu said. UNI