The tumultuous Winter session of Rajya Sabha came to an end today but not before passing 12 bills during the course of its 22 sittings, while 62 hours were lost on account of disturbances over various issues.
"Two government bills were withdrawn, one was introduced, two were referred to select committee of Rajya Sabha and 12 bills were passed/returned during the session," Chairman Hamid Ansari said before adjourning the House sine die.
Bills which were passed during the session include Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Amendment Bill, Apprentices (Amendment) Bill and Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bills.
The House sat for over 76 hours, while over 62 hours were lost on various issues such as renaming of Rajiv Gandhi airport in Hyderabad, derogatory speech by a Union minister and bringing back black money to the country.
Money held in foreign bank accounts by Indian citizens and business entities in violation of law and prevailing agrarian crisis in the country were cumulatively discussed for over nine hours.
V Hanumantha Rao (Cong) was directed to withdraw from the House on December 17 for willfully obstructing the proceedings by coming into the Well and shouting slogans.
During the session, 380 starred and 3,470 unstarred questions were admitted and answered. Question Hour could not be taken up on 14 days due to pandemonium and interruptions in the House over some issue or the other.
