Budget 2016: Opposition should play 'constructive role', says Naqvi

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that last monsoon and winter sessions were washed out due to the 'illogical ruckus'

Ahead of the Budget Session of parliament, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today asked opposition parties not to play a "disruptive" role and said that "dissent, disruption and disturbance" should not dominate "debate, discussion and decision-making".

With the key session set to kick off on February 23, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs sought the cooperation of opposition parties to ensure the passage of key Bills by parliament.

Addressing a programme at Amity University's Law School here, Naqvi said that debate and discussion are essential for any democracy and parliament is the most effective institution for raising and resolving issues that concern public welfare.

"Dissent, disruption and disturbance should not be allowed to dominate debate and discussion," he said, adding that it is the "constitutional duty of MPs and other elected representatives to fulfil the hopes of the common man.

Naqvi said several reform Bills, including Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2013, and the one concerning the Goods and Service Tax are pending due to disruptions in Parliament, especially Rajya Sabha.

The last monsoon and winter sessions were washed out due to the "illogical ruckus", he said.

About 73 hours and 7 minutes of Rajya Sabha were lost due to disruption during last monsoon session, he said.

"Upper House of Parliament registered productivity rate of just 9 per cent. During the two sessions, only nine Bills were passed or returned to Lok Sabha.About 34 hours and 32 minutes of Lok Sabha time was wasted," he said.

According to estimates, one hour of Lok Sabha proceedings costs about Rs 1.5 crore to the exchequer while for Rajya Sabha it comes to Rs 1.1 crore.

"Disruption during winter session resulted in loss of business of about 56 hours and 39 minutes in Rajya Sabha while for Lok Sabha it was about 8 hours and 37 minutes. The monsoon and winter sessions witnessed business loss of about 130 hours and 9 minutes for Rajya Sabha and about 43 hours for Lok Sabha. While ruckus in Rajya Sabha caused a loss of more than Rs 143.36 crore over the two sessions, disruptions in Lok Sabha led to a loss of more than Rs 64.03 crore," the minister said.

Naqvi appealed to Congress and all other opposition parties to play a "constructive" role by supporting the government in passing Bills necessary for the nation's development.

"The opposition should become a part of the nation's progress by playing the role of a constructive opposition instead of a disruptive opposition," he said.