Ludhiana, July 16 -- As the 18th Lok Sabha completes its first year, here's a look at first-time MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring's performance in the lower House of Parliament and his plans for the constituency. It has been a very good experience. Although Opposition MPs usually don't get enough time and chance to speak, I am lucky enough that I have managed to raise the issues I needed to, whether about my constituency, state or those concerning the nation like the Waqf (Amendment) Act or the farmers' plight. For me each and every occasion is a high point. Yes, there are some more important issues like when I was given the chance to speak about the Waqf (Amendment) Act. It provided me an opportunity not only to flag the concerns of the Muslim community but also other minorities, particularly the Sikh community, which I belong to. It is really never enough. Parliament should have more sittings. Given the number of MPs in both the Houses, not everyone gets enough chance to speak. Like in some western democracies, we also need to expand the sittings in both the Houses. But before we do that, we as a whole political establishment in the country, including the treasury and the Opposition benches, must avoid wasting time on unproductive things which frequently lead to adjournments. This way we lose precious time. There must be a general consensus among political parties that they should not allow the proceedings to be disrupted. Of course, it is by raising questions whether during the Zero Hour or the Question Hour. Besides, we can make interventions from time to time during other debates. In Zero Hour, members' notices for raising matters of urgent public importance are selected through a draw of lots. Only 20 members are chosen through this process to speak each day. Same is true about the Question Hour where the questions get included but only 20 out of 542 MPs get to ask questions. And this is not enough. This comes to less than 4% of members getting a chance to speak. Frankly speaking, the first year in Parliament is mostly taken away by learning about the processes and procedures. I don't claim to have achieved much in a single year, but yes the learning process has been great. I still have a long way to go. I have utilised my first year in raising some pressing, urgent and important issues like the murder of iconic singer Sidhu Moose Wala, farmer Shubhdeep Singh, and lack of facilities for our industries. One of the most important matters I raised was about the cycle industry in Ludhiana which is facing tough competition from China as the Centre "failed" to encourage the industry in the last 10 years. I feel the government is not allowing the Opposition to raise important issues. Even the mike of the leader of Opposition, both in Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, is frequently turned off. I really expect Parliament to be a much better place. After all it is the highest temple of our democracy and it must maintain that sacred sanctity which I find missing. next: Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, AAP MP from Hoshiarpur...