Sravasti Dasgupta 
New Delhi: In an attempt to end the ongoing impasse during the winter session of parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met floor leaders on Monday (December 2) and agreed to conduct a discussion on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, even as both houses cumulatively functioned for only 30 minutes before being adjourned for the day.
While the Lok Sabha functioned for 13 minutes, proceedings in the Rajya Sabha continued for only 17 minutes on Monday.
Following the meeting, Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said that it had been collectively decided that parliament will function from Tuesday and a discussion on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution will be held in both houses from December 14-17.
“Since a few days there has been a deadlock in the Parliament, everyone has expressed their concerns over it. We have also said that all elected representatives come to the Parliament of India to express their views. The non-functioning of Parliament for so many days, wasting public money is not good. Everyone accepted this,” said Rijiju to reporters after the meeting.
The meeting comes after the first week of the winter session saw the the Lok Sabha function for only 54 minutes and the Rajya Sabha for 75 minutes, as opposition members’ demand for discussions on the bribery allegations against the Adani Group and violence in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal, among other issues, were not allowed. This led to repeated disruptions followed by adjournments.
Once again on Monday similar notices were submitted in both Houses but discussions were not allowed. Rijiju said that at the meeting, the Speaker had said that notices can be submitted for a discussion on any issue without obstructing parliament.
“The Speaker also said that if anyone wants to raise an issue, there is a rule for it. You can submit a notice for it but creating a ruckus in parliament and obstructing the functioning of parliament is not good. Everyone has accepted this. It is good that everyone has accepted that discussions will be held from tomorrow. We will pass the first Bill tomorrow after discussions in Lok Sabha. In Rajya Sabha too, listed business will take place,” said Rijiju after the meeting.
In the Rajya Sabha, while disallowing notices demanding discussions on the bribery allegations against the Adani Group, violence in Sambhal and Manipur among others, chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar pointed to Murphy’s Law.
“Honourable members, you all are undoubtedly cognisant of the Murphy’s Law and they indicate, ‘anything that can go wrong will go wrong’. It appears that there exists a deliberate algorithm to actualise Murphy’s Law in this august House, consequently impeding the proper functioning of Parliament,” he said.
“We find ourselves achieving precisely the antithesis of what our Constitution ordains. In reverence to the framers of our Constitution and the innumerable patriots who made the supreme sacrifice, I implore this House to permit me to proceed with the business listed on today’s agenda. Honourable members, what we are doing is a spectacle to people’s absolute disdain. Nothing is going on record. I appeal to you in the name of framers of the Constitution, people of this country, allow the Parliament to function. Don’t make it dysfunctional,” he added before adjourning the House till noon.
When the House reconvened at noon it functioned for only two minutes before being adjourned for the day.
In the Lok Sabha, while statements were laid on the table of the House, it functioned for eight minutes before being adjourned till noon and for an additional five minutes when it reconvened before being adjourned for the day.
After the meeting with the floor leaders, Rijiju said that it has also been decided that a proposal from the Business Advisory Committee to hold a discussion on the 75th year of the adoption of the Constitution had been accepted. The discussion will be held on December 14 and 15 in the Lok Sabha and on December 16 and 17 in the Rajya Sabha.
“I appeal once again to all opposition MPs and leaders that all agreements that have happened today – we should run the Parliament smoothly.. I am hopeful that this will happen from tomorrow for the remainder of the session,” he said.