New Delhi:
As the 15th Lok Sabha began its final sitting today with the disquieting distinction of being the most unproductive ever, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said he "doubted that any law would be passed" in this session.
In the last five years, the government has managed to pass only 165 bills. It begins its last two-week session today with 126 bills pending clearance; 72 of these are in the Lok Sabha, which means they will lapse when the house's term expires this year. General elections are due by May.
Mr Chidambaram said at a college event today, "We are our own enemy. We are our own opposition. We our own obstacles. ...Beginning today you will see Parliament will meet but I doubt whether they will pass any law. We have to go through the ritual for attending Parliament everyday then coming back empty-handed."
So far, the Lok Sabha has lost 723.7 hours due to disruptions. With battle-lines drawn over the Telangana Bill, this last sitting could go much the same way, an apprehension voiced by Leader of Opposition in the house Sushma Swaraj this week.
Ahead of the session, the Prime Minister said, "I sincerely hope that Parliament, in its wisdom, will transact the essential business which is the primary concern of a legislature in a parliamentary democracy."
And Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath pleaded, "All efforts should be made to make this a historic session." He also pointed out, "The 15th Lok Sabha has seen the maximum disruptions."
"Congress MPs have been disrupting (houses) over Telangana, so the party should not give us sermons," retorted Ms Swaraj of the BJP. In session after chaotic session, the government and opposition benches have blamed each other. The BJP accuses the Congress-led UPA government of being "incompetent."
The Telangana issue is expected to dominate the sitting. The government is also keen to push six anti-corruption bills that Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi says form the framework of his fight against corruption and also wants to bring for vote the long-languishing women's reservation bill.
Also listed is the prevention of communal violence bill.