The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die on Friday after working for only 22 hours during the entire winter session that was marred by repeated disruptions.Vice President Hamid Ansari, the Chairman of the upper house, voiced anguish over the washout sessions."Continuous disruptions characterised the session," he told the members before adjourning the house.
He said members repeatedly breached rules by shouting slogans, displaying posters and obstructing proceedings by leaving their assigned places.Ansari said that the unruly conduct deprived members of the "opportunity to seek accountability of the executive through questions and discussions on matters of public interest".The 241st session of the Rajya Sabha had 21 sittings from November 16. It worked only for 22 hours as most of the time was wasted in adjournments.Only one government bill -- the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014 -- stipulating punishment for those discriminating against the differently-abled could be passed.
More than 86 hours were lost due to bedlam over demonetisation and some other issues including farmers distress and the AgustaWestland chopper deal.The discussion on demonetisation was taken up by suspending the business for the first day, under Rule 267. Fourteen members belonging to various parties took part in the debate which continued for more than six hours but was inconclusive.No private member's bill and resolution could be discussed.During the Session, 116 reports/statements of various Parliamentary Committees including those of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees were presented or laid in the house.Only three matters of public importance could be raised. Only one Special Mention on Matters of Public Importance could be made during the session.A total of 330 Starred Questions and 3,517 Unstarred Questions were admitted and answered. Of these, only two Starred Questions could be orally answered.