Lok Sabha Debates
Validictory Reference  On The Conclusion Of The 6 Th Session Of The 14 Th Lok Sabha. on 23 December, 2005
> Title : Validictory Reference on the conclusion of the 6th session of the 14th Lok Sabha.
MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, the Sixth Session of the Fourteenth Lok Sabha which commenced on 23 November, 2005 is coming to a close today. In all, as many as 23 sittings lasting for about 119 hours were held. On the first day, the House was adjourned after making Obituary References to the passing away of Shri K.R. Narayanan, former President of India and some sitting and former Members of the House. The House was also adjourned on 19.12.2005 after making Obituary Reference to the passing away of Shri P.M. Sayeed, Union Minister of Power.
During the Session, the House transacted substantial number of important items of legislative, financial and other business.
The Supplementary Demands for Grants (Railways) and General 2005-06 were voted by the House and the related appropriation Bills passed after discussions lasting for 4 hours 23 minutes and 3 hours 58 minutes respectively.
One Adjournment Motion, regarding failure of the Central Government to take proper action against the Indian entities and individuals allegedly involved as non-contractual beneficiaries of the United Nations `Oil-for-Food Programme’ in Iraq as reported in the report of United Nations Independent Inquiry Committee (Volcker Committee) and its efforts to cover up these serious crimes, was discussed in the House. The motion was negatived after a debate lasting for 5 hours and 50 minutes.
The House passed 14 Bills during the Session. Some of the more important Bills passed were the Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2005; Disaster Management Bill 2005; the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Bill, 2005 and the National Tax Tribunal Bill, 2004. The Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2005 seeks to provide reservation for the socially and educationally backward classes of citizens besides the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in matters of admission in private/unaided educational institutions also. The Disaster Management Bill, 2005 seeks to provide for the effective management of disasters at four different levels. I have no doubt that the passage of the Bill will bring about a paradigm shift in the efforts for tackling natural disasters and post disaster relief and rehabilitation measures. The Bill also came in for praise at the recently held Second India and Asia Regions Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference, 2005. The Commission for Protection of Child Rights Bill, 2005 provides for setting up of a National Commission at the Centre and State Commissions in various states for protection of child rights. The Bill also provides for setting up of child courts for speedy trial of offences of violation of child rights. Another important legislative measure, the National Tax Tribunal Bill, 2004 seeks to provide for speedy disposal of tax matters and also the goal of simplification of tax laws.
The House also had long and fruitful debates lasting over 14 hours and 55 minutes on five important matters of urgent public importance under Rule 193. These debates were on the statements laid on the Table of House by the Minister of State for Home Affairs regarding (i) Serial bomb blasts in Delhi on 29.10.2005, (ii) Terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir, (iii) Naxalite attacks that took place in Jehanabad, Bihar on 13.11.2005, and (iv) Naxalite attack that took place at the Home Guard Training Centre, Giridih, Jharkhand on 11.11.2005; Role of India in WTO with particular reference to the forthcoming Sixth Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong; need to improve the infrastructure at Airports in view of increase in passenger and cargo traffic; problems being faced by the agriculture sector and need to develop sports infrastructure in the country keeping in view the forthcoming sports events. Discussion on the last two matters was not concluded.
During the current Session 12 important matters were raised by way of Calling Attention in response to which the concerned Ministers made statements. In addition, as many as 49 statements were made by the Ministers on various other important subjects. The Prime Minister also made a statement regarding Volcker Committee Report.
As regards Private Members’ Business, as many as 16 Private Members’ Bills were introduced during the Session. One Bill namely the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2004 seeking to amend the Constitution by insertion of new article 47A seeking establishment of primary health centre in every village with all medical facilities remained inconclusive.
A Private Member’s Resolution urging the Government to recommend for granting of Special Economic Package for speedy completion of construction of – (i) National Highway No.- 215 between Panikoili and Rajamundra (ii) National Highway No.- 23 between Barahpal and Ranchi and (iii) Railway lines from Talcher to Bimlagarh and Daitari to Banspani, was discussed before being withdrawn by leave of the House. Another Resolution regarding the Regional imbalances created by the lack of development of different parts of the country remained part discussed.
During the Session, 460 Starred Questions were listed, out of which 86 questions could be answered orally. Thus, on an average, about 3.7 questions could be answered per day. In addition, two Half-an-Hour Discussions were raised. Written replies to 4643 Unstarred Questions were laid on the Table.
In this Session, the Departmentally Related Standing Committees preented 46 reports.
About 233 matters of urgent public importance were raised by the Members in the so-called `Zero Hour’ even by sitting late in the night. The new procedure of raising matters of urgent public importance, evolved during the Fifth Session has not only ensured timely taking up of legislative and other listed businesses, it has also provided an assured opportunity to Members to raise their matters. Besides, hon. Members also raised 265 matters under Rule 377[R73] .
In this Session, we lost over 27 hours and 20 minutes of time due to interruptions and adjournments. The Lok Sabha sat late during the Session for over 18 hours and 33 minutes on 12 days to compensate the loss of the time due to interruptions etc. and complete the listed business. This was made possible because of the wholehearted support and willing cooperation that I received from all sections of the House. I commend this collective commitment of the Members for effectively participating in the debates with sincerity and enthusiasm.
Now I have to mention some matters, you know, with great anguish.
I take the opportunity to once again express my great anguish over media reports regarding misconduct of some Members on 12th December, 2005 following news bulletin telecast on ‘Aaj Tak’ TV news channel regarding acceptance of money by ten Members of the Lok Sabha for asking questions/raising other matters in the House. I constituted a Committee to inquire into allegations of improper conduct after consultation with and consent of the Leaders. I also announced the same in the House. The report of the Committee was laid on the Table of the House on 22nd December, 2005. I thank the Committee for giving a considered report within the prescribed time.
Now, today, we have had the very sad experience, sad event that has taken place - I said in the morning also – that this House has decided to expel some Members.
Besides, following news bulletin over Star News channel on 19th December, 2005 regarding improper conduct of certain Members in the matters relating to implementation of MPLAD Scheme, I have constituted an Inquiry Committee comprising seven Members to go into the matter and submit the Report by 31st of January, 2005, after consultation with and consent of the Leaders, which I announced in the House.
These events have cast a shadow on an otherwise fruitful Session. I am extremely thankful to all sections of the House for their all-round and committed condemnation of all acts of corruption and I am sure that message will go down in the country and that people will realise that this House will never compromise with any act of corruption or misdemeanour.
Finally, I would like to thank all the hon. Members for the kind cooperation extended to me, to the hon. Deputy-Speaker and to my colleagues in the Panel of Chairmen in the completion of business in the House. I am extremely grateful to the Leader of the House, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leaders of various parties and groups as well as the Chief Whips for their unstinted cooperation and courtesy extended to me and my colleagues. I would also like to thank, on behalf of all of you, the Press and the Media. I take this opportunity to thank Secretary-General and the officers and staff of the Lok Sabha Secretariat for their dedicated service to the House. I also thank the allied agencies for their able assistance in the conduct of the proceedings of the House.
I wish all the Members a very happy Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.
__________ 17.28 hrs. NATIONAL SONG MR. SPEAKER : The hon. Members may now stand up as Vande Mataram would be played.
(The National Song was played.) MR. SPEAKER : The House stands adjourned sine die.
17.29 hrs .
The Lok Sabha then adjourned sine die.
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