RS session need not have ended in chaos

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha session called to discuss the Lokpal Bill need not have ended in chaos on the midnight of December 29. It is the prerogative of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to decide if the session should continue or not and if Mohammad Hamid Ansari had accepted the suggestions of the Opposition MPs, the session could have continued till all the amendments and the Bill were voted upon.

According to Chapter IV of Rules of procedure and conduct of business in the Council of states (Rajya Sabha):

10.Sitting of Council when duly constituted

A sitting of the Council is duly constituted when it is presided over by the Chairman or (a member) competent to preside over a sitting of the Council under the Constitution or these rules.

11. Commencement of sitting

A sitting of the Council shall commence at such hour as the Chairman may direct.

12. Days of sittings

The Council shall sit on such days as the Chairman, having regard to the state of business of the Council, may from time to time direct.

13. Conclusion of sitting

A sitting of the Council shall conclude at such hour as the Chairman may direct.

Chapter 6 of Sessions of Rajya Sabha says, "The power to adjourn the House from time to time or sine die vests in the Presiding Officer. He does so at a fixed hour or at such other hour as he may determine after taking the sense of the House. The Chairman may, if he thinks fit, call a sitting of the House before the date or hour to which it has been adjourned or at any time after the House has been adjourned sine die but before it is prorogued by the President."

From the above clauses it is clear that the session could have continued even after the December 29 midnight notwithstanding that UPA government's claims that the extension was for only three days from December 27 to 29.

So the session after impassioned speeches and some late night drama may not have ended in the disgraceful way showing the UPA government and the MPs in a very poor light. The orchestrated strategy implemented by the government with the help of a few MPs in the Rajya Sabha saw RJD MP Rajniti Prasad tearing up the papers and his party colleagues joining him in protesting against the Lokpal Bill.

With the session ending amidst chaos and slogan shouting, the wait for a strong Lokpal continues.