Parliament was in session for a mere 34 days in 2008, the lowest in its history. Even when it was in session, the Speaker had to call for frequent adjournments owing to unremitting commotion on many occasions.Even more disturbingly, the House is frequently adjourned over largely trivial issues. Many members have stopped treating Parliament as the principal forum of deliberation. No stigma is attached to absconding from the session, and worse, nobody thinks twice before storming into the well and causing adjournments.

This is why I appreciate the vice president’s position on changing the timing of question hour. It had become a farce, as barely five questions made it to the discussion, instead of the stipulated 20. There should be a consensus among political parties about not allowing the question hour to be suspended. When Parliament is in session, the bureaucracy works overtime to supply information. Questions not taken for discussion make this hard work go in vain.

Slash oil prices

In the wake of crude oil prices slipping below the $67 a barrel, the government should abide by its commitment to the people to reduce petrol and diesel prices. The price hike was effected at a time when the price of crude oil was at an unprecedented high of $147. Earlier when the hike in prices was still under consideration, the petroleum ministry had committed for price reduction once crude oil came below $99 a barrel. However, oil companies had accumulated so many losses that the government had to withhold its promise and it instead set a new threshold level of $67 for a decision regarding price reduction.

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