LS session ends, ‘most productive’ since ’52

New Delhi, August 6

The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha came to an end today with the House being adjourned sine die after transacting record business.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha was the most productive since 1952. “This has been a golden session, the most productive since 1952,” said Birla as he delivered his valedictory address.

The LS session, which began on June 17, had 37 sittings and worked for 280 hours, with the debate on Union Budget 2019-2020 lasting for over 17 hours—- the highest for any government business in the session.

The second highest debate time (13 hours) was invested in discussing the budget for the Railway Ministry followed by a nine-hour discussion on rural development, seven hours for the budget of the Road Transport Ministry, and four hours for the Youth and Sports Ministry. “A record 1,086 matters of public importance were raised by members and 183 starred questions answered,” said Birla who set his own rules to run the House, even taking up Zero Hour for over four hours a day.

Birla said the maximum legislations passed by any LS since 1952 have been in this session. “As many as 36 Bills were passed. This is the maximum since 1952.” Among major Bills passed were the Bill to bifurcate J&K and anti- triple talaq Bill. — TNS

Parliament logbook

37 Sittings (Session began on June 17)

280 hrs Total working duration

36 Bills cleared by the Lower House

17 hrs Budget discussed (highest ever)

1,086 Public importance matters raised

183 Starred questions answered