New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said while the Upper House has come a long way in contributing to the socio-economic transformation of the country, it still has ‘miles to go’ towards proper functioning.
Addressing a meeting ahead of the landmark 250th session of Rajya Sabha beginning tomorrow, he urged Members of the Rajya Sabha to "collectively introspect on it’s functioning and focus on addressing shortcomings" that were in the public domain.
He was interacting with RS MPs on the eve of the Winter session of Parliament beginning on Monday.
Expressing concern over the House's functioning at a meeting of the leaders of various parties and groups at the official residence of the Vice President here, he said at the same time "we still have miles to go in letting our country realise it’s full potential by making up for the missed time and opportunities and in respect of the functioning of the House itself.”

At the outset, he sought the cooperation of Members in the smooth running of the Upper House at its four-week long Winter Session beginning tomorrow.
"On this historic occasion, it is expected of us to collectively reflect on the journey of the august House since it
came into being in 1952. It is also required of us to collectively introspect on it’s functioning and focus on addressing the shortcomings that are in the public domain as a matter of concern."
Recognising the 249th session, was "highly productive" and best in several years, the Chairman urged the leaders to ensure that this positive momentum was sustained during this session so that a few more miles could be covered.
Referring to the reports of absenteeism of members in the meetings of the Department-related Standing Committees, the Chairman asked the leaders to ensure proper attendance of MPs so that the Committees could effectively examine and report on various subjects selected and Bills referred in a bipartisan and detailed manner on behalf of the Parliament for which the Committees were envisaged.
He also informed the leaders that a joint sitting of Members of both Houses would be held in the Central Hall on November 26 marking the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
Mr Naidu released a publication, titled “Rajya Sabha: The Journey since 1952” providing glimpses of various aspects of functioning of the House and it’s Hindi version.
Mr Naidu informed the leaders of various events planned for celebrating the landmark 250th session of Rajya Sabha beginning tomorrow which include discussion in the House on the ‘Role of Rajya Sabha in Indian Polity: Need for Reform’ on the first working day, release of a commemorative volume on the evolution of Rajya Sabha and it’s functioning with 44 articles in Hindi and English by the sitting and former members and those associated with the functioning of the House. Besides a silver coin of Rs 250 and a postal stamp of Rs 5 will be released to commemorate the occasion.
Giving an account of the journey of the Upper House during the past 67 years, Mr Naidu said: “Rajya Sabha has been an integral part of the socio-economic transformation of our country since it came into being in 1952. From passing the Hindu Marriage and Divorce Bill in 1952 to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill in 2019 (Triple Talak Bill), from imposition of additional excise duty on dhotis in 1953 to introduction of GST in 2017, from passing The Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Bill in 1954 to the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill in 2019,"
He also referred to other highlights including passage of the Andhra State Bill in 1953 to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill in 2019, from clearing the All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bill in 1955 to the National Medical Council Bill in 2019, from setting up of the University Grants Commission in 1954 to empowering the Children with the Right to Free and Compulsory Education in 2009 and from passing the Preventive Detention (Second Amendment) Bill in 1952 to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
Amendment Bill in 2019, Rajya Sabha has come a long way in addressing the challenges faced and meeting the requirements of the nation from time to time, an official release here said.
UNI SD SHK1931