RS adjourns sine die after month-long session

Rajya Sabha was today adjourned sine die after a month-long session, which witnessed passing of 17 government bills and discussions on a range on issues, including the Liberhan report and price rise.

Among the bills passed were the Central Universities Amendment Bill and the Essential Commodities Bill.

The 218th session of Rajya Sabha, which commenced on November 19, saw heated discussions on the Liberhan Commission report on the demolition of Babri Masjid.

Situation arising out of price rise and internal security were the issues, which came up for short term discussions in the House.

Climate change deliberations, progress of disbursement of relief to the victims of 1984 riots and present status of WTO negotiations were some of the issues which were discussed during Calling Attention in the House.

Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari said that Question Hour was lost on five days due to disruptions.

"Members do need to think about this because questions in the House are an important instrument through which information is elicited and government accountability ensured," he said.

Ansari also said that during the session, a major achievement was the decision of the Rules Committee to streamline the Question Hour procedure, in order to ensure greater coverage of questions with wider opportunities to members to raise supplementaries.

References to first anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks and 25th anniversary of Bhopal gas tragedy were made in the House, while a suo motu statement on deliberations and results of Copenhagen summit came on the concluding day.

Three new members -- P Kannan (Congress), H K Dua and Ashok Ganguly (both nominated) joined the House during the session, which also saw passing of some important bills like Representation of the People (Second Amendment) Bill, The Workmen's Compensation (Amendment) Bill, The National Rural Employment Guarantee (Amendment) Bill and the NCT of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Amendment Bill.

One government bill was introduced and three government bills were listed for withdrawal, out of which one bill, namely the Lotteries (Prohibition) Bill, 1999, was opposed and therefore deferred.