Winter Session of Parl ends; eight Bills cleared amid fierce debate

Parliament's Winter Session ended on Friday after 19 days of often intense and lengthy proceedings, during which both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha pushed through major legislative proposals, heard extended debates on national themes, and witnessed protests that briefly disrupted business.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

The session, which began on December 1, ended with both Houses being adjourned sine die, wrapping up discussions that collectively stretched over roughly 92 hours in each chamber and saw the passage of eight Bills in each House.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla used his brief valedictory remarks to report that the Lower House recorded 111 per cent productivity over its 15 sittings, with members remaining in the chamber late into the evening on several days to complete legislative work. As he spoke, some members raised "Mahatma Gandhi ki jai" slogans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present when the House was adjourned. The Lok Sabha clocked a total of 92 hours and 25 minutes of business during the session.

The Rajya Sabha also closed its 15-day sitting with Chairman C P Radhakrishnan expressing both satisfaction over the output and concern over disturbances seen during one key debate. He noted that the Upper House had registered 121 per cent productivity, with sittings sometimes extended past midnight. For Radhakrishnan, who recently assumed office, this was his first term presiding over a full session. "The warmth and affection in your felicitations proved a source of great encouragement for me as I sat down discharging my constitutional responsibility," he told members while thanking the prime minister, Leader of the House JP Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.