Parliament productivity highest in decade: Venkaiah Naidu

Hyderabad, March 23 (IANS) Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday claimed that the productivity of Parliament during the first phase of the current budget session was the highest in a decade.

He told reporters here that he was extremely happy over the way the proceedings were conducted in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. He termed it as a rare achievement and complimented all MPs belonging to all parties.

"It's not because of one party or the government but because of collective wisdom and effort by all parties that we were able to achieve this," he said.

Naidu quoted a study by PRS Legislative Research to say that 121 percent productivity in parliament was the highest in a decade.

"As per my information, it is 123.5 percent in Lok Sabha and 106 percent in Rajya Sabha. They say the average is 121 percent, which is the highest," he said.

The minister said despite disruptions and adjournments, three crucial and historic bills relating to economic reforms were passed by both houses of Parliament. He claimed that these bills will speed up economic development.

He said Insurance Bill was pending for seven years. Coal Mines Bill brought transparency in coal block auction and fetched the government a revenue of Rs.2.09 lakh crore, benefiting the states. He claimed that Mines and Minerals Bill will also similarly benefit the states.

Naidu said that out of six ordinances promulgated by the government in the inter-session period, five were translated into Acts. Parliament also passed the Motor Vehicles Bill and Indian Citizenship Bill.

He hoped that in the coming days, parliament will also pass three other crucial legislations, including the land acquisition bill. He said the GST Bill would bring revolutionary changes in the tax system, arrest leakages and end harassment of traders while another bill proposes strong measures to control black money.

Naidu termed as 'regrettable' and 'condemnable' the statement by Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh that the parties which supported mines and minerals and coal bills compromised with the government "for other reasons".

He said the states which have mineral deposits are either ruled by the BJP or non-Congress or regional parties who supported the bills as the legislations will benefit the people of their states.