Lok Sabha has acted as a shock absorber: Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI) Describing the Lok Sabha as a "great shock absorber", Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said the house has been able to resolve many problems.

Addressing a special sitting of the Lok Sabha to mark 60 years of Parliament, Mukherjee "Many momentous decisions, including redrawing the boundaries of states, were taken in the lower house. It has functioned as a great shock absorber."

He also said that the laws passed by parliament should not be taken lightly by the judiciary.

Referring to his own experience in parliamentary politics, Mukherjee said he was not very old in the Lok Sabha, but had been a member of the Rajya Sabha for many years.

Mukherjee said despite his limited experience, he was a devoted student of parliamentary practices.

Referring to frequent adjournments in the house, Mukherjee said "disturbance in proceedings impinge on the right of the silent majority. Let us try to avoid disruptions".

Bonhomie also prevailed in parliament on Sunday, when a smiling Mukherjee said: " I am notorious for (making) long speeches, but I promise to keep this short. Today, is special."

Members laughed while Sonia Gandhi flashed a smile in response.

The Parliament is having a special sitting on Sunday to mark 60 years of the first session of the Lok Sabha.

Two living members of the first Lok Sabha Reishang Keishing and Resham Lal Jangde will be hounoured on the occasion. Ninety-one-year old Keishing, a member of the Rajya Sabha, was a member of the first and third Lok Sabhas, while Jangde was member of first, second and ninth Lok Sabhas.

President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil will address members of both Houses in the Central Hall of Parliament at 5.30 p.m.

She will also release five-rupee and 10-rupee coins and publications of the secretariats of both the Houses on the auspicious occasion.

A cultural programme featuring Santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Sitarist Debu Chaudhuri, Carnatic vocalist Maharajapuram Ramachandran, versatile singer Shubha Mudgal and Iqbal Khan will light up the evening.

India became a Republic on November 26, 1949, but the first general elections were only held in 1951-52. Constituted on April 17, 1952, the Lok Sabha held its first session from May 13, 1952. (ANI)