PRESS RELEASE

The Monsoon Session, 2005 of Parliament which commenced on Monday, the 25^th of July, 2005, has concluded today, the  30^th of August, 2005.  The Session provided 24 sittings of both the Houses of Parliament spread over a period of 37 days. 

2.         During the Session, two Adjournment Motions moved in the Lok Sabha were discussed and negatived. The first one  was moved on 26.7.2005 by Shri L.K. Advani, the Leader of the Opposition, on the failure of Government to protect the eastern borders against illegal immigration. The second Adjournment Motion was moved on 10.8.2005 by Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa on failure of the Government to take action against the persons indicted by the Nanavati Commission.

3.         In the Rajya Sabha, Motion regarding ‘Action taken Report on the Justice Nanavati Commission of Inquiry’ moved by Shri Rajnath Singh under Rule 168 was also discussed and negatived on 11.8.2005.

4.         Supplementary Demands for Grants (General) and (Railways) for 2005-06 and the Demands for Excess Grants (General) and (Railways) for 2002-03, and their Appropriation Bills were discussed and passed by the Lok Sabha during the Session. Thereafter, the Rajya Sabha considered and returned these Appropriation Bills.

5.         The General Discussion on the Budget (Bihar) for 2005-06 was also held in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the Session.  The Demands for Grants on Account in respect of the State of Bihar for 2005-06 and the related Appropriation Bill were considered and passed by the Lok Sabha.  The Appropriation Bill, as passed by the Lok Sabha, was considered and returned by the Rajya Sabha.

6.         Besides, the two Houses of Parliament considered and adopted Statutory Resolution regarding continuance in force of the President’s Rule in the State of Bihar beyond 6^th September, 2005. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha also passed a Resolution regarding recommendation of the Railway Convention Committee relating to rate of dividend to be payable to the Central Revenues.

7.         During the Session, 23 Bills  (14 in the Lok Sabha and 9 in the Rajya Sabha) were introduced.  16 Bills each were passed by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha during the session.  Total number of Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Session was also 16.

8.         Bill replacing one Ordinance namely; the Citizenship (Amendment) Ordinance, 2005, which was promulgated by the President, was also considered and passed by both Houses during the Session. 

9.         Besides  the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2005, some of the important Bills passed during the Session were:-

(i)     the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, 2004;

(ii)    the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill, 2005;

(iii)   the High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service)Amendment Bill,

        2005;

(iv)   the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Bill, 2005;

(v)    the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2005;

(vi)   the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Amendment Bill, 2005; and

(vii)  the Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2005.

10.       A number of statements were made by Ministers in both Houses of Parliament, including the one made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister regarding his recent official visit to the United States of America. 

11.       In the Lok Sabha, Short Duration Discussions under Rule 193 were held on :

(i)     Natural Calamities in the Country;

(ii)    statement made by the Prime Minister regarding his recent official visit to the United States of

        America;

(iii)   terrorism in the country including attack on Ram Janam Bhoomi Complex at Ayodhya ; and

(iv)   rise in prices of essential commodities including hike in petroleum prices.  

12. In the Rajya Sabha, Short Duration Discussions under Rule 176 were held on:

(i)     drought and floods in various parts of the country;

(ii)    increasing incidents on cross border terrorism and terrorist acts in the country particularly with

        reference to the recent attack in Ayodhya;

(iii)   statement made by the Prime Minister regarding his recent official visit to the United State of

        America;

(iv)   statement made by the Defence Minister regarding ‘New Framework for the US – India Defence

        Relationship’;

(v)    striking down of the IMDT Act by the Supreme  Court; and

(vi)   state of agriculture, poverty and unemployment in the country in the light of mid-term appraisal

        of the Tenth Five Year Plan.

13.       A statement showing the ‘Facts at Glance’ in respect of Business transacted during the Monsoon Session, 2005 vis-a-vis the Monsoon Sessions held during the last four years is enclosed.  A list of Bills introduced/passed is also enclosed.

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FACTS  AT A GLANCE – MONSOON SESSION, 2005 VIS-A-VIS MONSOON SESSIONS HELD DURING 2001-2005

 Fifth Session of Fourteenth Lok Sabha and 205^th Session of Rajya Sabha

(FROM: 25-07-2005 TO 30-08-2005)