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Parliament’s most productive monsoon session since 2000 ended Friday

Published

8 years ago

August 10, 2018

The monsoon session of the Parliament drew to a close on Friday, August 10, as the ‘most productive’ one since the year 2000, according to a report by PRS Legislative Research (PRS).

The session had 18 scheduled sittings (July 18, 2018 to August 10, 2018), out of which one day was cancelled for a festival and another was adjourned after the obituary was read for Mr. Karunanidhi.

For the first in the 16th Lok Sabha, a no-confidence motion against the government was moved and discussed. This was the 27^th no-confidence motion. The motion was discussed for 12 hours by 51 members, at the end of which the motion was defeated.

The election of the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha was also held with Mr. Harivansh Narayan Singh becoming the Deputy Chair.

During the session, Lok Sabha worked for 110% of its scheduled time, while Rajya Sabha worked for 66%. So far in the 16th Lok Sabha, the average productivity of Lok Sabha is 86% and that of Rajya Sabha is 67%. This was the most productive Monsoon Session of Lok Sabha since 2000. However, Rajya Sabha lost time due to disruptions (including on account of protests against Assam’s draft National Register of Citizens).

Nearly half the session time spent on legislative business: the highest in 16^th Lok Sabha. Both Lok Sabha (50%) and Rajya Sabha (48%) spent the highest portion of their time on legislative business. This is the highest amount of time spent on legislative business by both Houses in the 16th Lok Sabha, second highest since 2004.

In this session, 20 Bills were introduced, of which 11 were passed by at least one House of Parliament. Out of the total Bills introduced, six were to replace Ordinances. These included Bills related to anti-trafficking, amendment to insolvency law, and change in punishment for rape. So far in the 16th Lok Sabha, 39 ordinances have been issued, i.e., an average of nearly 10 ordinances per year.

Fewer Bills are being referred to Parliamentary Committees (26%), as compared to the 15th Lok Sabha (71%) and the 14th Lok Sabha (60%). In this Session, the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2018 were referred to parliamentary committees.

In the 16th Lok Sabha, highest number of government Bills were introduced by the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In the 15th Lok Sabha, highest number of Bills were introduced in Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice.

Of the 68 Bills pending in the 16th Lok Sabha, the highest number of Bills were introduced by the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. These include the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, and the National Medical Commission Bill, 2017.

The session also saw one of the most productive Question Hours of the 16^th Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha functioned for 84% of its scheduled Question Hour time while the Rajya Sabha functioned for 68% of its scheduled time.

The monsoon session also had highest number of Private Member Bills (999) introduced in Lok Sabha since 2000. Though nearly 1000 Bills were introduced in the 16^th Lok Sabha, less than 10 were taken up for discussion, for a total of 50 hours. No Private Member Bill has been enacted into law since 1970.

Rajya Sabha discussed issues related to the misuse of social media to spread violence, the final draft of the National Register of Citizens in Assam, and the non-implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Re-organization Act, 2014.

Lok Sabha discussed the flood and drought conditions in the country. In addition, the Supplementary Demands for Grants 2018-19 were discussed in Lok Sabha.

The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was introduced in Lok Sabha on Friday. It amends several existing Acts such as the Divorce Act, 1869, the Hindu Marriage Act,1955, and the Special Marriage Act, 1954. The Bill amends these Acts to remove leprosy as grounds for divorce.

The Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill was passed in Lok Sabha. The Bill amends the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. It includes provisions to establish an independent body called Arbitration Council of India (ACI) to promote arbitration, mediation and provide a redressal mechanism.

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India offers forensic DNA support to identify Nepal flood victims

India will make forensic laboratory facilities available for DNA profiling of first-degree relatives of people missing after Nepal’s August 26 flash floods.

Published

4 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has offered forensic laboratory support to help identify people who remain missing after the devastating flash floods in Nepal.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said central and state forensic laboratories in India will make their DNA profiling facilities available for first-degree biological relatives of people missing after the August 26 flash floods in Nepal.

DNA samples can be provided by relatives in India

According to the MEA, first-degree biological relatives living in India can have their biological samples collected and DNA profiles prepared.

The relatives can include a person’s father, mother, son, daughter or sibling. DNA profiling can be carried out at Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs), State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), laboratories of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and NABL-accredited laboratories with DNA profiling capabilities.

The initiative is intended to support Nepal’s ongoing process of identifying mortal remains recovered after the flash floods.

DNA profiles to be compared with unidentified remains

The MEA said the DNA profiling may use Autosomal STR DNA profiling, as advised by Nepal Police, subject to the technical requirements communicated by the Nepali authorities.

Once prepared, DNA profiles and the preliminary information required by Nepalese authorities can be sent to Nepal Police by email for comparison with DNA profiles obtained from unidentified mortal remains.

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also facilitate coordination, with copies of the DNA profiles to be shared with the embassy for this purpose.

Nepal flood death toll rises

The death toll from the flash floods has risen to at least 1,259, according to Nepalese authorities, after rescue workers recovered additional bodies from affected areas.

More than 12,000 people have been rescued, while around 5,000 people remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.

The flash floods, which followed an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, caused extensive destruction across towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

India News

PM Modi hails ISRO after successful GSLV-F17 launch, calls it proud moment

PM Modi congratulated ISRO after GSLV-F17 successfully launched EOS-05, calling the achievement a proud moment for India.

Published

9 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after the successful launch of the GSLV-F17 rocket carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the nation.

The GSLV-F17 lifted off at 2:55 a.m. IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The EOS-05 satellite was subsequently placed into its designated sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit.

PM Modi praises ISRO’s growing capabilities

In a post on X, PM Modi said the successful mission reflected the excellence, innovation and expanding capabilities of India’s space sector.

Yet another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a proud moment for our nation.

The successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05, India’s first-ever imaging satellite from Geosynchronous orbit is a reflection of the excellence, innovation and growing capabilities that define… https://t.co/fXzwnSmwAF
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2026

He also highlighted the growing partnership between ISRO and Indian industry, saying it was strengthening India’s space programme and expanding capabilities across the wider space ecosystem.

The prime minister described the successful launch of GSLV-F17 carrying EOS-05 as another outstanding achievement by ISRO and a matter of national pride.

EOS-05 strengthens earth observation capabilities

According to the report, EOS-05 is India’s first-ever imaging satellite from geosynchronous orbit. The satellite is designed to provide continuous observation of the country from an altitude of nearly 36,000 km above Earth.

The mission is expected to strengthen India’s earth observation capabilities and support advanced imaging and observation applications.

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan expressed satisfaction with the mission, saying the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit.

Mission Director Thomas Kurian described the launch as a significant milestone for the GSLV programme. He said it was the 19th flight of the GSLV and noted that EOS-05 is the heaviest satellite the launch vehicle has placed into a geosynchronous transfer orbit or sub-GTO orbit.

GSLV-F17 launch vehicle details

The GSLV-F17 stands 51.7 metres tall and has an approximate liftoff mass of 420.5 tonnes.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team following the successful mission. He described EOS-05 as a state-of-the-art Earth observation satellite capable of advanced imaging across visible, infrared, multispectral and hyperspectral bands.

India News

Nagaland Assembly urges Centre to withdraw Protected Area Permit regime

Nagaland Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the Protected Area Permit regime, citing concerns over tourism, investment and international engagement.

Published

9 hours ago

September 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Nagaland Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in the state, arguing that the restrictions are affecting tourism, investment, international engagement and economic opportunities.

The resolution was moved by Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Yanthungo Patton and was adopted through a voice vote.

PAP regime was reimposed in 2024

The Protected Area Permit regulates the entry of foreign nationals into notified areas. The regime had been relaxed in Nagaland in 2011 but was reimposed on December 17, 2024.

During the Assembly discussion, Patton said Nagaland had emerged as a peaceful destination for tourism, culture, investment, entrepreneurship and international engagement. He said these sectors were increasingly contributing to employment and livelihood opportunities, particularly for young people.

The resolution also highlighted events and initiatives such as the Hornbill Festival and the “Land of Festivals” initiative, saying they had helped showcase Nagaland and India’s cultural diversity internationally while generating economic opportunities for local communities and entrepreneurs.

Assembly links PAP restrictions to economic concerns

The state government argued that the return of the PAP regime has complicated efforts to expand international tourism, business and investment.

The Assembly resolution said the regime was creating difficulties for international tourism, business and investment, along with cultural exchanges and overseas partnerships.

However, the state maintained that relaxing the permit regime would not mean compromising national security.

The resolution assured the Centre that foreign nationals could continue to be registered, regulated and monitored through technology-based and institutional mechanisms in coordination with central agencies.

Neiphiu Rio backs review of PAP regime

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also participated in the debate along with Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along, Industries and Commerce Advisor Hekani Jakhalu and MLA Naiba Konyak.

The legislators maintained that Nagaland’s present circumstances warranted a different approach, stressing that the state was peaceful and seeking greater opportunities in tourism, investment and other sectors.

Rio linked the demand to Nagaland’s economic aspirations and the need to create more opportunities for young people while maintaining the state’s commitment to national security.

“Security and development can go together,” Rio said.

The resolution further argued that regulations that have outlived their developmental relevance should not become barriers to employment, economic activity and Nagaland’s participation in the wider national and global economy.