The 269th session of the Rajya Sabha concluded on Friday, with Chairman and Vice-President of India CP Radhakrishnan delivering his valedictory address. The winter session, he noted, was particularly significant as it marked his first time presiding over the House.
“I thank the Prime Minister, Ministers, J.P. Nadda, Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and all Members for their felicitations. Your encouragement is a source of great motivation,” he said, expressing gratitude for the support he received during the session.
The Chairman acknowledged the cooperation of Members, highlighting their willingness to work late and skip lunch recess on five occasions to complete business. “This session witnessed an unprecedented number of Zero Hour Notices, averaging over 84 per day, a 31% increase compared to previous sessions,” he said, adding that matters raised during Zero Hour averaged more than 15 per day—nearly a 50% increase from earlier sessions.
“We must keep up the good work, keeping in mind that the people of this great nation look up to us as custodians of democracy,” Radhakrishnan added.
The session featured several high-profile debates. A two-day discussion commemorating the 150th anniversary of the National Song Vande Mataram saw participation from 82 Members, while a three-day debate on Election Reforms involved 57 Members. “You have all positively responded to my call to spend every day, every hour, every minute, every second of our time in the House to strengthen our democracy by meaningful debates and discussions,” the Chairman said.
Legislative business included the passage or return of eight Bills and adoption of a Statutory Resolution regarding the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Act, 2024, with 212 Members taking part. Private Members’ Business also remained active, with 59 Bills introduced and one Bill and one Resolution discussed by 22 Members.
Over the course of the session, the House met for approximately 92 hours, achieving a productivity rate of 121%. During this period, 58 Starred Questions, 208 Zero Hour submissions, and 87 Special Mentions were addressed. The Chairman also recognized the support of the Deputy Chairman, the Panel of Vice-Chairpersons, the Secretary-General and staff, as well as the media for their coverage.
Radhakrishnan, however, expressed concern over unruly conduct by some opposition Members in the previous day’s sitting, citing shouting, displaying placards, and throwing papers in the well of the House. He urged Members to maintain decorum in future proceedings.
Concluding his remarks, he extended greetings to all Members and their families for Christmas, New Year, and upcoming harvest festivals, including Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu.
Simultaneously, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla concluded the ongoing session of the 18th Lok Sabha after 15 sittings. He highlighted the active participation of Members, productive debates, and legislative business, noting that the House achieved a productivity rate of 111%.
The Speaker also thanked Members for their cooperation and stressed that meaningful discussions are essential to strengthening India’s parliamentary democracy.