Winter Session of Parliament lasted 38 days, passed 17 Bills

New Delhi, Dec 30 (ANI): A total of seventeen Bills were passed by both the houses of Parliament in the winter session that concluded on Thursday night.

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources Pawan Kumar Bansal told a press conference here that the winter session, which commenced on November 22, provided 24 sittings spread over a period of 38 days.

During the Session, Supplementary Demands for Grants (General and Railways) for 2011-12 and their related Appropriation Bills, were discussed and passed by the Lok Sabha. Thereafter, the Rajya Sabha considered and returned the Appropriation Bills.

In Lok Sabha, Adjournment Motion moved on December 14, BJP leader L.K. Advani, on "situation arising out of money deposited illegally in foreign banks and action being taken against the guilty persons" was discussed for about 6 hours. The motion was negatived by voice vote.

One Bill replacing the Ordinance, namely, the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Ordinance, 2011 which was promulgated by the President, was considered and passed by both the Houses of Parliament during the Session.

In the Lok Sabha, two short duration discussions under Rule 193 were held on Inflation situation in India and threat posed to the very existence of river Ganga and Himalayas due to their ruthless exploitation.

In the Rajya Sabha, two short duration discussions under Rule 176 were held on unprecedented rise in prices of food and other essential commodities, agrarian crisis resulting in suicide by the farmers in the country. Besides, 3 Calling Attentions on Non-revision of wages of employees of IDBI Ltd., adequate safety measures to protect the life of Safai Karmacharis (Sewer Cleaner), and Spread of Encephalitis and Brain Fever in various parts of the country, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar, were discussed in Lok Sabha.

During the Session, 30 Bills (27 in the Lok Sabha and 3 in the Rajya Sabha) were introduced. The Lok Sabha passed 18 Bills and the Rajya Sabha passed 18 Bills during the session. Total number of Bills passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Session is 17. (ANI)