In the Seventeenth Lok Sabha, not only the time for discussion on matters related to law making and public interest has increased, but the level of dialogue has also increased. Om Birla has completed three years as the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He took over on June 19, 2019. On this occasion, he said these things in a special conversation with the public.
Birla said that the maximum work in 18 years was done in the first three years of the 17th Lok Sabha. The productivity of the 14th Lok Sabha was 86 percent between 2004 and 2009, while the productivity of the 15th Lok Sabha between 2009 and 2014 was 71 percent. From 2014 to 2019, 95 percent work was done in the Lok Sabha. Productivity touched 106 per cent in the first three years of the 17th Lok Sabha. He said that it would be considered a big achievement because two years out of three years were affected by COVID.
Lok Sabha Speaker said that we ensured strict adherence to health safety rules in the circumstances of Corona, due to which 167 percent work was done in the fourth session of the 17th Lok Sabha during the worst phase of Corona, which is the highest in the 70-year history of Lok Sabha. Not only this, the attendance of MPs in this session was more than the sessions held under normal circumstances.
He said that for the first three years of the 17th Lok Sabha, discussion and dialogue were visible in the House. In the first eight sessions of the 14th Lok Sabha, discussions were held for 929 hours in the House, 798 hours in the 15th Lok Sabha, 929 hours in the 16th Lok Sabha and 995 hours in the 17th Lok Sabha. During these eight sessions, the House worked for 254.46 hours more than the stipulated period. During the 17th Lok Sabha, there were several occasions when the proceedings of the House went on till 12 o’clock in the night. It was pleasant that the MPs also showed active participation in the conduct of the proceedings late at night.
Birla said that in the direction of making laws in the interest of the country and the people, there was more activity and participation in the 17th Lok Sabha. In the 14th Lok Sabha, 107 bills were introduced while 120 bills were passed. 114 Bills introduced and 95 Bills passed in 15th Lok Sabha, 96 Bills introduced and 94 Bills passed in 16th Lok Sabha.
At the same time, 139 bills were introduced and 149 bills were passed during the 17th Lok Sabha. Compared to the 15th and 16th Lok Sabha, one and a half times more bills were passed, but the time for discussion on each bill also increased. During the 14th and 15th Lok Sabha, where on an average each bill was discussed for 87 and 85 minutes, on an average, each bill was discussed for 123 minutes in the 16th Lok Sabha and 132 minutes in the 17th Lok Sabha.
The number of members who discussed the Bills was also almost double that of the 14th, 15th and 16th Lok Sabha.
The work of the new Parliament building will be completed on time
Birla said that if the new Parliament House is handed over to us by October 30, 2022, then we will be in a position to hold this year’s winter session in the new building after necessary tests. He said that the building work was running behind the target by just five to seven days which would be completed soon. The work on the dome of the building is in progress and is likely to be completed in 10 to 15 days. Birla said that this new building will be a ‘green building’ in which all arrangements have been made for environmental and energy conservation.
There will be a multimedia screen in front of the seat of every member, through which they will be able to vote in the house, register attendance and request for an opportunity of expression in the house.
Record participation of women MPs
Birla said that during the 17th Lok Sabha, women MPs have done a record participation. During this, women MPs have actively participated in Zero Hour, Question Hour and various discussions as compared to the first Lok Sabha. During the winter session of Parliament last year, on December 9, during the Zero Hour, 50 per cent women MPs were allowed to raise matters of their constituencies.
Showing placards and sloganeering in the house is not right
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha said that the House runs on a stipulation and certain traditions. MPs should take care of these limits. He said that people have sent members to the House to raise their issues and discuss those issues. But some members forget this and wave placards and raise slogans in the House, which is not right. Any problem can be resolved through dialogue. Therefore, dialogue and discussion should be given priority.