The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which concluded on Thursday, 13 August, passed 12 bills but recorded deeply disappointing productivity figures — just 19 per cent in the Lok Sabha and 39 per cent in the Rajya Sabha — according to Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who briefed the media after both Houses were adjourned sine die.

What the Numbers Say

Rijiju described the session as a tale of two outcomes. 'We view the Monsoon Session from two angles. In terms of business, it was a very successful session — we passed a total of 12 bills. However, from the perspective of debate and discussion, it was not as successful,' he said.

The Lok Sabha managed substantive debate on only one bill — the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, which targets paper leaks and was passed by both Houses after deliberation. The remaining legislation moved through with minimal floor discussion, drawing concern from political observers and constitutional experts alike.

Opposition Blamed for Disruptions

Rijiju squarely blamed Opposition parties for the productivity shortfall, accusing them of repeated disruptions, walkouts, and deliberate derailment of proceedings. 'This is the first time I have seen the Opposition shying away from debate. In a democracy, they seek answers from the government, and the government is bound to provide them. Yet, we witnessed a scenario where the government itself was forthcoming on discussion, but the Opposition kept making excuses to avoid. This is not healthy for the parliamentary democracy,' he stated.

He further said that ministers offered to respond to Opposition queries but were met with neither participation in debate nor willingness to hear replies — a pattern he called antithetical to democratic norms.

Congress in the Crosshairs

Rijiju reserved particular criticism for the Indian National Congress, expressing what he described as genuine sympathy for the party's newer members of Parliament, who he said were denied speaking opportunities by their own party's disruptive conduct. He characterised the Congress's approach as one where members arrive at Parliament primarily to raise slogans, wave placards, and engage in name-calling rather than legislate.

Notably, several MPs and constitutional experts had separately raised alarm over the passage of significant legislation without adequate debate — a concern Rijiju acknowledged indirectly by admitting the session 'didn't live up to people's expectations.'

What Was Passed and What Was Lost

Of the 12 bills cleared during the session, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act was the only one to receive substantive floor debate in the Lok Sabha. The bulk of legislative business was conducted amid disruptions, raising questions about the quality of parliamentary scrutiny. This is not the first Monsoon Session to be marred by low productivity — similar concerns were raised in 2023 and 2022, pointing to a structural pattern of Opposition-Treasury standoffs that erode floor time.

What Comes Next

Rijiju expressed hope that the atmosphere would improve when Parliament reconvenes for the Winter Session, though he stopped short of specifying a date. The legislative agenda deferred during this session — including bills that did not see debate — is expected to carry over, adding pressure on the next sitting.