RS adjourned sine die after stormy Monsoon session

New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian
Parliament) was adjourned sine die on Thursday after a stormy
Monsoon session with Chairman Hamid Ansari expressing
disappointment over the frequent interruptions resulting in
loss of 53 business hours.
The session, however, created history by adopting a motion
for removal of Calcutta High Court Judge Soumitra Sen on
charges of misappropriation of funds.
Another hallmark of the six-week long session was the
discussion on the issue of Lokpal (anti-corruption ombudsman).
"On both the occasions, the House witnessed a very high
quality of debate," Ansari said in his valedictory remarks.
Significantly, the Rajya Sabha secretariat said the
discussion on the Lokpal on August 27 culminated with the
House unanimously adopting a resolution for a strong Lokpal
Bill.
"The discussion lasted for about seven hours after which
the House unanimously adopted a Resolution for a strong Lokpal
Bill," it said.
Earlier, the government had stated that both Lok Sabha
(upper house of Parliament) and Rajya Sabha conveyed "sense of
the House" to the Standing Committee scrutinising the Lokpal
Bill.
Expressing indignation over the frequent disruptions,
Ansari said, "It being the Monsoon session, (the House) has
lived up to its appellation with stormy proceedings... Many
matters of public importance remained unattended. This is a
sad commentary on the right and duty of the Members who
participate meaningfully in the proceedings of the House. It
calls for introspection..."
The interruptions by members of different political
parties were on account of issues related to corruption, price
rise, land acquisition in Uttar Pradesh , "indictment" of
Delhi Chief Minister by CAG in its report on Commonwealth
Games and on Anna Hazare's agitation, the secretariat said.
Towards the end, the House could not transact normal
business as BJP protested against the appointment of Lokayukta
in Gujarat and demanded recall of the Governor.
The House sat for 85 hours and 53 hours were lost due to
interruptions/adjournments. 14 hours could be made up by late
sittings and skipping lunch recess. The Question Hour could
not be held on 14 occasions due to interruptions. PTI SSR
MNS