During the last parliament session, both the houses had less than 40 per cent each productivity. As the winter session began, the houses witnessed disruptions on the first on the same issue as the last session – Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Since last time, many things have changed. When the monsoon session was on, the SIR was being conducted only in Bihar, preparing to go to polls. The government did not agree for discussion and the Opposition persisted with protests. The ruling dispensation went on to win the Bihar polls, and allegations about SIR did not find any resonance in the state.
Now, four months later, SIR is being conducted in several states including those going to polls – Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. These Opposition-ruled states are witnessing protests and the Opposition want discussion in the parliament. It is an issue that may bring all the non-NDA parties on the same page.
The first day of the Winter Session saw sustained disruptions on Monday as Opposition parties in both Houses pressed for an immediate debate on the SIR.
The government has lined up heavy legislative agenda for which it wants to the House to function. The government indicated that it was open to a discussion but refused to accept a timeline set by the Opposition.
In the Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government was “not averse” to taking up SIR and broader electoral reforms but asked the Opposition to allow space for scheduling. He was responding to repeated demands from opposition members for an immediate debate. Unhappy with the response, members of several parties walked out.
Rijiju said the matter was under consideration and noted that some parties had also raised issues unrelated to SIR. He reminded members that the government had not rejected their demand but urged them not to impose conditions on timing. Earlier, Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan had disallowed notices from nine opposition MPs seeking discussions under rule 267, prompting protests.
In the Lok Sabha, the session opened with similar scenes. Proceedings were adjourned twice during Question Hour and finally for the day as Opposition MPs trooped into the Well demanding a debate on SIR.
Rijuju has a given a ray of hope to the Opposition that the discussion will be taken up. In coming days, the exact topic for discussion will have to be firmed. But the Opposition is likely to persist with protests till it is allowed.
Before the houses assembled, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took potshots at the Opposition saying the high voter turnout in Bihar strengthened democracy and warned parties against allowing electoral setbacks to dominate parliamentary functioning. He termed the protests as drama before polls.
This winter session is a short one with 15 sittings, so the government’s assertion that it was open to debate SIR, has given a hope that house may witness an increased productivity than the last one.