The Second Session of the 18th Lok Sabha, which began on July 22, 2024, concluded on Friday.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla delivered the valedictory address, noting that the session included 15 sittings and lasted approximately 115 hours. He reported that the House’s productivity during this period was 136 percent.
Birla also highlighted that the Finance Minister presented the Union Budget for 2024-2025 on July 23, 2024. The general discussion on the budget lasted for 27 hours and 19 minutes, with participation from 181 Members. The Finance Minister responded to the discussion on July 30.
The Demands for Grants for selected Ministries and Departments were discussed from July 30 to August 5, and these grants were approved by the House. The Appropriation Bill was also passed on August 5.
During the session, 12 government bills were introduced, and four were passed. The passed bills include the Finance Bill 2024, the Appropriation Bill 2024, the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill 2024, and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak 2024.
Birla reported that 86 starred questions were answered orally, and Members raised 400 matters of urgent public importance during Zero Hour. Additionally, 358 matters were addressed under Rule 377.
The session saw 25 Statements made under Direction 73A, and a total of 30 Statements were presented, including two by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs related to parliamentary business and three suo motu Statements by Ministers. A total of 1,345 papers were laid before the House.
On July 22, a discussion on India’s preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games took place under Rule 193. On July 31, a Calling Attention Motion was discussed under Rule 197 regarding the loss of lives and property due to landslides and floods in various parts of the country.
Regarding Private Members’ Business, 65 Private Members’ Bills were introduced during the session. A resolution by MP Shafi Parambil on regulating airfare was discussed on July 26 but remained inconclusive.
The Lok Sabha also welcomed H.E. Ms. Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, on August 1.