The Winter Session of Parliament: Plan vs Performance

The Winter Session of Parliament: Plan vs Performance

The Winter Session of Parliament was held between November 25 and December 20, 2024.  PRS has published a note that looks at the functioning of both the Houses during this period.  Along with this note, we have prepared a ‘Plan vs Performance’ note and a ‘Parliament Session Wrap’.

Some findings that you may find interesting:

• Parliament functioned for about half of its scheduled time.  Lok Sabha functioned for 52% of its scheduled time and Rajya Sabha functioned for 39% of its scheduled time.

• One Bill, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, was passed in the first six months of the 18th Lok Sabha’s term; lowest in the last six Lok Sabha terms.

• Functioning of Question Hour was significantly affected.  Question Hour did not function in Rajya Sabha for 15 out of 19 days.  In Lok Sabha, Question Hour did not function for more than 10 minutes on 12 out of 20 days.  Members use Question Hour to hold the government accountable for its policies and actions.

• No private members’ business in Lok Sabha; one resolution discussed in Rajya Sabha.  PMBs are used by MPs to highlight gaps in the regulatory framework, draw attention to matters of national concern, and to represent public opinion in the House.

• The 18th Lok Sabha has not yet elected a Deputy Speaker.  The 17th Lok Sabha did not elect a Deputy Speaker for its entire term.