Parliament’s Monsoon Session passed 12 bills but recorded only 19 per cent productivity in the Lok Sabha, with disruptions and walkouts affecting debate and discussions. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Opposition, saying repeated disruptions prevented meaningful parliamentary debate and raised concerns over legislative scrutiny and democratic functioning.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament concluded with the government highlighting significant legislative achievements while acknowledging that the overall productivity of the two Houses remained unsatisfactory. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that Parliament passed a total of 12 bills during the session, but disruptions and repeated adjournments significantly reduced the time available for debate and discussion.
Addressing the media after both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned sine die, Rijiju assessed the session on two parameters — legislative business and parliamentary productivity. According to him, the session was successful from the perspective of the number of bills passed, but fell short when measured by the quality and duration of debates.
Rijiju said the Lok Sabha recorded only 19 per cent productivity in relation to the total time allotted during the session. Productivity in the Rajya Sabha was comparatively higher at 39 per cent, although disruptions, protests and walkouts by Opposition parties affected proceedings in the Upper House as well.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister attributed the low productivity primarily to repeated disruptions by Opposition members. He alleged that Opposition parties adopted tactics that resulted in the stalling and derailment of parliamentary proceedings instead of using the available opportunities to debate legislation and raise issues before the government.
The assessment has also prompted concerns among political observers and constitutional experts regarding the passage of important legislation without sufficient debate and discussion. Some Members of Parliament have similarly expressed concern over the diminishing opportunity for detailed scrutiny of bills, particularly when major legislative measures are being considered.
Rijiju acknowledged that the Monsoon Session did not meet the expectations of the people, but placed the responsibility for the disruption on the Opposition. He argued that the government was prepared to participate in discussions and provide answers to questions raised by Opposition members.
“This is the first time I have seen the Opposition shying away from debate,” Rijiju said, arguing that parliamentary democracy requires the Opposition to seek answers from the government while also participating constructively in discussions.
According to him, the government and the ministers concerned were ready to respond to issues raised in the House, but Opposition members frequently chose not to participate in debates or listen to ministerial replies. He described the situation as unhealthy for the functioning of parliamentary democracy.
The minister also criticised the Congress party over what he described as disruptive behaviour inside Parliament. He expressed particular concern for newly elected Congress MPs, claiming that many of them were unable to get adequate opportunities to speak because of the disruptions created by their own party.
Rijiju alleged that Congress had adopted a political approach centred on slogans, placards and protests rather than parliamentary debate. He said that members should be able to participate in discussions, raise questions and present their views on legislation instead of allowing proceedings to be repeatedly disrupted.
His remarks underline the continuing political divide between the government and Opposition over the functioning of Parliament. While the government has emphasised the number of bills passed as evidence of legislative productivity, the Opposition and other critics have raised concerns about whether legislation receives adequate scrutiny when disruptions limit the time available for detailed discussion.
The session therefore ended with a mixed assessment. On one hand, the government pointed to the passage of 12 bills as evidence of substantial legislative business. On the other, the Lok Sabha’s 19 per cent productivity and the Rajya Sabha’s 39 per cent productivity highlighted the extent to which disruptions affected parliamentary proceedings.
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The Parliamentary Affairs Minister expressed hope that the political atmosphere would improve when Parliament reconvenes for the Winter Session. He said the Opposition’s approach should change so that MPs can focus on debate, discussion and legislative scrutiny.
The conclusion of the Monsoon Session has once again brought parliamentary productivity into focus, with the balance between legislative efficiency, Opposition protest and detailed democratic debate remaining a key issue for the functioning of Parliament.
