First Session of 18th Lok Sabha and 264th Session of Rajya Sabha Conclude Successfully
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/5th July 2024
After the general elections for the 18th Lok Sabha, the inaugural session of the Lok Sabha commenced on June 24, 2024, followed by the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha on June 27, 2024. The Lok Sabha adjourned sine die on July 2, 2024, while the Rajya Sabha followed suit on July 3, 2024.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, addressed a press conference in New Delhi, providing a detailed overview of the parliamentary proceedings. The initial two days of the Lok Sabha session were exclusively dedicated to the oath-taking and affirmation of the newly elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha. Out of the 542 members, 539 took their oaths during this period.
To facilitate the oath-taking process, the President of India appointed Bhartruhari Mehtab as the Speaker Pro Tem under Article 95(1) of the Constitution. Additionally, Suresh Kodikunnil, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, T. R. Baalu, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay were designated as the officials before whom the members could make and subscribe their oaths or affirmations under Article 99 of the Constitution.
The election for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha was held on June 26, 2024, resulting in Om Birla’s election through a voice vote. On the same day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced his Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha, setting the stage for the upcoming legislative activities.
On June 27, 2024, the President addressed a joint session of both Houses of Parliament under Article 87 of the Constitution. In this address, the President outlined the government’s past achievements and laid out a comprehensive roadmap for the nation’s future development.
Following the presidential address, the Prime Minister introduced his Council of Ministers to the Rajya Sabha, continuing the formal introductions across both houses of Parliament.
The discussion on the Motion of Thanks for the President’s address was slated to begin on June 28, 2024, in both Houses. However, in the Lok Sabha, interruptions delayed the initiation of the debate until July 1, 2024. The debate was started by MP Anurag Thakur and seconded by MP Bansuri Swaraj. Throughout the discussion, 68 members actively participated, while over 50 members submitted their speeches to the House. After more than 18 hours of discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi provided a comprehensive reply on July 2, 2024. The Lok Sabha held seven sittings totaling about 34 hours, achieving a productivity rate of 105%, despite one day’s disruptions.
In the Rajya Sabha, the discussion on the Motion of Thanks commenced on June 28, 2024, initiated by MP Sudhanshu Trivedi and seconded by MP Kavita Patidar. The debate saw participation from 76 members, spanning more than 21 hours. Prime Minister Modi responded to the debate on July 3, 2024. The Rajya Sabha’s productivity during this session exceeded 100%.
The successful conclusion of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha and the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha marks a significant milestone in the functioning of India’s parliamentary democracy. The productive discussions and legislative activities underscore the government’s commitment to addressing national issues and driving forward the country’s development agenda.
