Budget session: 113% productivity in Lok Sabha, 97% in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: With the first phase of the Budget session ending today, the government said the productivity of Lok Sabha during this phase was 113 per cent, while for Rajya Sabha it was 97 per cent.

The session also saw the passage of the crucial bill on demonetisation.

Expressing satisfaction over the performance of both the Houses during the session, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said opposition parties cooperated in running the Parliament.

The first phase of the Budget session started on January 31.

"The session yielded a total of 7 sittings of Lok Sabha and 8 sittings of the Rajya Sabha," the minister said.

Highlights of the session are the Presidential Address and Union Budget, besides the five bills --Finance Bill, Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill, IIM Bill and Repealing and Amending Bill, which were introduced in Lok Sabha.

Out of these five, Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill was passed by both the Houses, while Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities) Bill being a money bill, is deemed to be passed by both the Houses on expiry of 14 days from receipt of bill in Rajya Sabha.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the discussion on the Presidential Address has been concluded in both the Houses.

Similarly, the discussion on Union Budget has been concluded in Lok Sabha, while in Rajya Sabha, it will be resumed after the recess, he said.

The second phase of the Budget session will be from March 9 to April 2.