The winter session of Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die on Tuesday after passing 18 legislations, including amendment bills on amend coal mines allocation and labour laws, in 22 sittings.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan announced the sine die adjournment soon after noon when the house re-assembled after an adjournment forced by a vociferous opposition which demanded a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of conversions.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge made a vain attempt to seek a response from the prime minister, who was present in the house, on the conversion issue.
"I will not allow anyone to speak. I not allow even the prime minister to speak," the speaker said.
When Kharge rose to speak after papers were laid, Mahajan said in a lighter vein "Aap kuchh achhi baat toh karte nahin (You don't say anything good)."
To that Kharge said "I will say something good" and wanted the prime minister to make a statement.
Apparently referring to the prime minister's 'Mann ki baat' programme on All India Radio, some Congress members were heard saying, "PM apni mann ki baat sadan ko bole (The PM should speak his heart out in the house)."
However, the speaker asserted that nobody would be allowed to speak. "Jab maine bola nahin, toh nahin (When I have said No, it is No)," she said.
After that she said, "I am happy to inform you that 18 legislations were passed during the session which is a record of sorts in the recent years."
Observing that almost three hours were lost due to disruptions and adjournments, the speaker said that during the 22 sittings of the winter session, the House unanimously adopted two resolutions condemning the massacre of innocent school children in Peshawar and the release on bail of 26/11 mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi by a Pakistani Court.
During the session which began on November 24, an attention motion was taken up on issues like abduction and harassment of Indian fisherman by Sri Lankan Navy adulteration in food items, rise in prices of life saving drugs and the spread of encephalitis in UP and other parts of the country, Mahajan said.
Issues of public importance like conversion issue, bringing back black money stashed away abroad, impact of natural calamities and dilution of MGNREGA were also taken up.
A special discussion was also held on the threat of plastics and problems relating to Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
The Speaker also referred to introduction of 68 non-official bills and discussion on private members' resolutions, including those on implementation of recommendations of the national farmers’ commission, to impart skills to the youth and achieve the objective of 'Make in India'.
The house, which met for a total of 129 hours, spent over 17 hours to dispose of financial and other important items, which is "laudable and I thank the members for this".
She also extended greetings to the members for Christmas and New Year expressing confidence that the new year would bring new energy to strengthen democracy and create a strong India.
Rajya Sabha passes 12 bills
The tumultuous Winter session of Rajya Sabha came to an end on Tuesday but not before passing 12 bills during the course of its 22 sittings, while 62 hours were lost on account of disturbances over various issues.
"Two government bills were withdrawn, one was introduced, two were referred to select committee of Rajya Sabha and 12 bills were passed/returned during the session," Chairman Hamid Ansari said before adjourning the House sine die.
Bills which were passed during the session include Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Amendment Bill, Apprentices (Amendment) Bill and Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bills.
Image: A scene in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi on the last day of the winter session. Photograph: PTI
