Winter Session of Parliament: 179 hours wasted, less than 20 per cent of business conducted

The Winter Session of Parliament witnessed disruptions and chaos as the Opposition raised the issue of demonetisation in both the Houses. Congress now faces the blame for the disruptions that resulted in less than 20 per cent of business being conducted in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

Since the Winter Session of Parliament in 2013, when the Opposition and the Congress-led UPA was in the treasury benches while the BJP was in Opposition, this session has recorded maximum number of hours lost.

Lok Sabha lost 91.80 hours (85 per cent), while Rajya Sabha 86.33 hours (81 per cent) of available time, according to PRS legislative research figures. This resulted in an almost total washout of Parliament so far.

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Only 3 days are left in the session and it is yet to witness a full working day. If both the Houses of Parliament sit for 100 days in a year, the amount spent on parliamentary proceedings costs the state exchequer Rs 10.01 crore per day.

The Parliament sessions during PM Narendra Modi’s regime had so far been highly productive in terms of time. 

Time Lost:

Lok Sabha: 91.80 hours (85 per cent)

Rajya Sabha: 86.33 hours (81 per cent)

*Figures are only for the Winter Session of Parliament
*PRS Legislative Research