THE Rajya Sabha took up short duration discussion on electoral reforms. Speaking on this, Sitaram Yechury said there is a need to fine-tune the electoral process. Because of money power and other such things, democracy is at stake. These infirmities need to be corrected. The government, in the Union Budget for 2017-18, has made two proposals -- the cash donations to political parties would now be restricted to Rs 2,000 each person and the introduction of electoral bonds. These are a mere eyewash. It is a mockery.

The second week of the Budget Session started with the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, wherein all the opposition parties slammed the government’s decision of demonetisation which has resulted in job losses, economic slowdown, agricultural distress and overall misery for the people.

THE winter session of parliament began on November 16. The government’s recent decision to withdraw Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes from circulation rocked parliament for the first three days. On the first day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned after obituary reference as a sitting member died in the period between two sessions. In the Rajya Sabha, a motion was moved to suspend whole business of the day to take up discussion on the issue of demonetisation of high-value banknotes. CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury took part in the discussion.

THE Monsoon Session of Parliament began on July 18. In the Lok Sabha, newly elected member took oath on the first day and the House was adjourned for the day after obituary reference and observance of one minute’s silence on account of death of a sitting member. In the Rajya Sabha, after new members took oath, there was an obituary reference to the victims of natural calamities. There was also a short-duration discussion on the situation arising out of recent incidents of violence and turmoil in Kashmir Valley resulting in huge loss of lives and property.

IN the second week of this session, the Rajya Sabha witnessed a serious debate on the Augusta Westland chopper deal. Speaking on this, Tapan Kumar Sen said that a blame game is going in this matter. In many cases, nobody has yet been convicted. CBI is having the regulator in its hands and regulates the case as per the situation. It is very unfortunate in our society. Instead of making political postures, it should be taken to a logical end. The whole system is economically polluted and is in a state of crony capitalism. There is failure in maintaining the pace of the probe.