MPs should debate, discuss, not disrupt, says LS Speaker Om Birla

New Delhi, December 22

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today said the construction of new Parliament building was going on full swing and every effort was being taken to ensure that it was ready by the winter session next year.

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Government, opposition spar over House disruptions

Interacting with mediapersons following the adjournment of a much-disrupted seventh session of the 17th Lok Sabha, Birla said agreements and disagreements on issues should be reflected in debates and not through disruption. The 18 sittings of the Lok Sabha recorded 83 hours and 20 minutes of work. It lost 18 hours and 48 minutes to interruptions. The House sat late for 18 hours 11 minutes to complete listed Business during the session. The productivity of the House during the session was 82 per cent. Productivity during the first seven sittings of the session was 102 per cent, Birla said.

The performance of the House on December 2 was in fact 204 per cent, Birla said.

The Speaker also said Opposition leaders, including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi were given an opportunity to speak during Zero Hour without any notice. Rahul Gandhi was given an opportunity to ask questions during Question Hour but he started speaking on some other issue, he added — TNS