The government on Saturday described as “successful” the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which saw the passage of the landmark Food Security as also the Land Acquisition Bills. However, it failed to see through its plan to scrap the collegium system of appointment of judges, as Lok Sabha did not pass the Constitutional Amendment Bill before it was adjourned sine die late Friday evening.
Parliamentary affairs minister Kamal Nath said “substantive work” was done in the month-long session, which had also witnessed the passage of a key economic reform legislation, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, which was hanging fire for nearly a decade due to political differences.
“We had a successful session and passed about 16 Bills in Lok Sabha, besides introducing about eight bills in Rajya Sabha,” Mr Nath said. Members in the Lower House had rushed through legislative business, clearing four crucial bills on a single day on Friday, but did not take up the Constitution (120th) Amendment Bill and the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, 2013.
, which defines the establishment of the proposed body to appoint judges. The Judges Appointment Bill has been passed by Rajya Sabha.
“Some very heavy bills — the Food Security and the Land Acquisition Bills have been passed — and both Houses on several days sat till night. So, substantive work has been done in the Monsoon Session of Parliament,” the minister told reporters outside Parliament House.
Mr Nath, however, rejected suggestions that there had been a “goof-up” in the Constitution Amendment Bill regarding appointment of judges to higher courts. He said that the Constitution (120th Amendment) Bill, 2013, passed by Rajya Sabha, would come to Lok Sabha in the Winter Session of Parliament.
The first two weeks of Monsoon Session were marred by frequent disruptions over several issues, including the decision on a separate Telangana state as also the alleged land deals of Robert Vadra, Chinese incursions, killing of five Indian soldiers at the LoC and the fuel price hike.
The Session also saw the suspension of 12 members from Andhra Pradesh for resorting to “grave disorder”.