Both Houses of Parliament prorogued

NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament were prorogued today, almost a month after being adjourned sine die, ending the possibility of an extension of the Monsoon session in the face of continued stand-off between government and opposition.

"The Rajya Sabha, which was adjourned sine die on August 13, has been prorogued by the President on September 10, 2015," a communique from the Upper House said.

In a message, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said "Lok Sabha which commenced its fifth session July 21 has been prorogued by the President on September 10."

Government had refused to recommend proroguing of the two Houses so far to keep open the option of reconvening the Monsoon session for passage of the crucial GST bill. However, it decided to prorogue both the Houses as it failed to take Congress on board on GST bill.

The Monsoon Session that started on July 21 and ended on August 13 was a near washout, with an unrelenting Congress stalling a number of legislations including the GST bill.

Congress has said that calling a special session will serve no purpose unless its demands on GST are met.

With no signs of support coming from main opposition Congress, the government had on Wednesday recommended proroguing of both the Houses.

"Keeping the political reality in mind, at the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs it was decided that we will recommend to the President to prorogue the Monsoon session," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had told reporters after a meeting of the Union Cabinet and CCPA.