Thursday, Mar 28 2024 | Time 16:20 Hrs(IST)
image
Parliament


RS Chairman says suspension of members unpleasant, appeals to members to ensure smooth functioning of House

RS Chairman says  suspension of members  unpleasant, appeals to  members to ensure  smooth functioning of  House

New Delhi, Sep 23 (UNI) Expressing unhappiness over the happenings in the Rajya Sabha over the past few days, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday, while terming the suspension of Opposition MPs as 'unpleasant', said that he was duty bound to uphold the dignity of the rules, standards and values of the Upper House.

In his concluding remarks before Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die, the Chairman said that although the suspension of members was not a pleasant thing to do, the Rules of the House do provide for such suspension when it becomes inevitable.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die, eight days ahead of the schedule.

Mr Naidu said while it was the right of the opposition to protest, but the question is how should it be done?

Pointing out that the floor of the august House was the most effective platform for contestation of ideas, he said that if boycott is done for a longer period, it amounts to leaving the very platform that enables members to effectively convey their ideas, besides contesting those of others.

Observing that though the session was satisfying in terms of productivity, he said there have been some areas of concern as well.

“We need to collectively ponder over these issues for making a difference in future”, he added.

The Chairman said that for the first time in the history of this august House, a notice of motion was given for the removal of the Deputy Chairman and it was rejected. He pointed out that the mandatory 14 days advance notice was not given.

Referring to the developments surrounding this unprecedented move, he said they have been deeply painful for all those who hold the stature and the dignity of this august House dear to their hearts. He appealed to the members to ensure that such unseemly behaviour was not repeated.

The Chairman said that he had received a letter from the Leader of Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad and others urging the House not to pass the three labour codes.

The Chairman said that there have been a number of precedents when the business was taken up as per schedule and bills were approved in the wake of boycott or walkout by some members. In this context, he cited the passage of Finance Bill and Appropriation Bill in 2013. Mr Naidu said that had the letter suggested the postponement of bill by stating that they would attend the House, he would have discussed the issue with the government. He said that there was no such assurance. On the other hand some of the members justified what they had done. Therefore he decided to go ahead with the bills, he said.
More UNI AR SHK1841

There is no row at position 0.
image