With the ruling dispensation failing to bring the opposition on board during the month-long Winter Session that ended in a washout, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar today lambasted the Congress for its "disjointed strategy" in Parliament.
"The Winter Session couldn't function because of the opposition, especially the Congress Party's 'disjointed strategy. Their strategy with regards to demonetisation in Lok Sabha and in Rajya Sabha did not sync at all. They could have discussed under Rule 137 during the Supplementary Bill, they could have discussed during the Income Tax Amendment Bill which is one of the instruments of November 8 decision. They could have moved an amendment in Rajya Sabha where they have majority," he said.
Kumar's outburst against the opposition came as the Winter Session, which commenced on November 16, was able to provide only 21 sittings out of a period of 31 days.
During the Session, the productivity of work done in Lok Sabha was 17.39 percent and that of Rajya Sabha was 20.61 percent respectively.
A total of 10 bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha out of which only four bills were passed while the Rajya Sabha managed to pass just one bill.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016, was passed by both the Houses of Parliament.
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One Bill namely the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, was deemed to have been passed by both the Houses of Parliament.
Two more Bills namely the Appropriation Bill, 2016 and the Appropriation Bill, 2016 was passed by Lok Sabha and transmitted to Rajya Sabha for its recommendation, have not been returned to Lok Sabha within the period of fourteen days from the date of their receipt in Rajya Sabha.
In Lok Sabha, one Short Duration Discussion under Rule 193 was initiated on 'Demonetization of currency notes to weed out black money' by A.P. Jithender Reddy, a Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP, on December 5 and the same could not be concluded.
In the Rajya Sabha, discussion under Rule 267 was held on' Demonetization of currency' which remained inconclusive.
Briefing the reports after the conclusion of the Session, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anantha Kumar criticised the Opposition parties, especially the Congress, for adopting a "disjoint strategy" because of which the Winter Session could not function properly.
Both the Houses of Parliament have been adjourned sine die with the passage of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016.