NEW DELHI: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee had reasons to be more than satisfied with the just-concluded monsoon session of Parliament, for as they pointed out on Tuesday 16 Bills were passed by both Houses and 23 were introduced, 14 in the Lok Sabha and nine in the Rajya Sabha.

"It was a very successful monsoon session," Mr. Azad noted, pointing out that this Government had always maintained that it was willing to discuss any issue provided rules of parliamentary procedure permitted this. He said that although "normally" an adjournment motion (that can lead to the fall of a government if passed) is taken up perhaps "once in six months or a year". But in this session two adjournment motions moved by the Opposition were discussed and defeated in the Lok Sabha, he said, adding that this had "busted the myth that the supporting parties of the United Progressive Alliance would not stand with it." They [UPA's allies] will support the Government for full five years, he added.

Mr. Azad suggested that the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Bill be brought "in the next session" as the Government was trying for a consensus. Although he did not spell this out, it is known that the Left is opposing this.

On the Women's Reservation Bill, he said, the Government would now have to decide since the exercise of consulting all parties was over. He would not commit himself on bringing the Bill next session, saying, "we do not want violent scenes in the House." Even on the Bill related to pensions, he said the Government wanted a consensus not only within the UPA and its allies, but also possibly with the Opposition parties. He pointed out that four important Bills in this session, the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Bill, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, were all passed with the support of all sections.

The Speaker said his decision to hold daily meetings with party leaders ahead of the start of the day's proceedings had been very useful and resulted in cooperation from all sides. "I am thankful to all sections of the House for the wonderful cooperation I have received," he said, addressing reporters after the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die, ending the session that started on July 25.

He pointed out that he had been trying to accept as many calling attention motions as possible as under this rule "members can get a response from the Government" and that emphasises executive accountability, forcing the Government to be prepared and "to answer". A record 25 calling attention motions were taken up in this session and 49 statements were made by different Ministers covering a number of issues. He also noted that although 10 hours and 19 minutes were lost during the session due to unscheduled adjournments, the House worked for an extra 36 hours and 12 minutes.

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