Consensus needed for parliamentary functioning

The just-concluded Winter Session of Parliament was unproductive and the least effective in over a year.

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It ran from November 25 to December 20 and saw frequent disruptions, including protests and arguments.

The opposition wanted to discuss the Adani issue, which is a matter of significant public interest due to its implications. Also, it asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah to apologise for his comments about Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a highly respected figure in Indian history.

During this session, the Lok Sabha lost 65 hours and 15 minutes, the highest in 2024. Many requests for adjournment motions were made in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, but none were accepted. This rule allows the House to pause its scheduled business to address urgent matters.

With a productivity of merely 40.03 per cent during the Winter session.

Lok Sabha saw the introduction of five bills and passed four of them. Rajya Sabha approved three bills.

Over Rs 97,87,50,000 of taxpayers' money was spent during the Winter Session, a stark reminder of the high cost of unproductive governance. The cost of running a Parliament session is over Rs 2.5 lakh per minute, which should raise eyebrows and prompt a re-evaluation of our parliamentary practices.