Parliament adjourned sine die, Chairman laments below potential functioning of House

The ongoing winter session of Parliament, which began on November 29, concluded on Wednesday, a day prior to its scheduled conclusion on December 23.

New Delhi: The winter session of Parliament has come to an end with both houses being adjourned sine die, a day ahead of its scheduled conclusion on December 23, with Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu lamenting that the Upper House functioned much below its potential due to repeated disruptions.

"I urge all of you to...reflect and introspect if this session could have been different and better. I don't want to speak elaborately on the course of the session that would lead me to make a very critical view," the Chairman said.

He further stressed that rulings, regulations and procedures have to be followed and said precedents, decency and decorum has to be maintained by members in the House.

"We should all work towards a constructive and positive atmosphere for the larger interest of the country," he stated, and wished MPs a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, and also conveyed his greetings for Makar Sankranti, Pongal and other upcoming festivals.

The session, which started on November 29, was scheduled to conclude on December 23.

Earlier on Tuesday, the upper house had passed the bill to link Aadhaar with voter ID, a day after the reform was approved in the Lok Sabha, through a voice vote amid opposition protests.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed severe disruptions during the ongoing winter session over the suspension of 12 opposition MPs due to alleged misconduct during the last monsoon session.

There has been considerable ruckus in the Parliament over the Lakhimpur Kheri incident also.

Opposition members also protested on the Special Investigation Team's report regarding the October 3 Lakhimpur Kheri violence in Uttar Pradesh and farmers' issues, among others.

Despite disruptions and loss of business hours, the Rajya Sabha had passed several key bills, including those related to electoral reforms and surrogacy.