What we really achieve by the existence of this second chamber (Rajya Sabha) is only an instrument by which we delay action which might be hastily conceived, and we also give an opportunity, perhaps, to seasoned people who may not be in the thickest of the political fray, but who might be willing to participate in the debate….
I think, on the whole, the balance of consideration is in favour of having such a chamber and taking care to see that it does not prove a clog either to legislation or administration”. – N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar during debate in the Constituent assembly.
Ayyangar’s words have turned prophetic.
New Delhi ::: Contrary to what happened in 2021, the House of Elders has started working as the purposeful and real 'house' of elders.
Rajya Sabha during the first week of the ongoing Budget session clocked 100 percent productivity for the week.
"There were no adjournments and no major disruption during the week," a source said.
The Upper House of Parliament finally could make full use of the available time of 15 hours 17 minutes.
Sources further said during the first week, after President Ram Nath Kovind’s customary
address to the Joint Sitting of parliament on Jan 31, Rajya Sabha members discussed Motion of Thanks
to President for seven hrs 41 minutes.
As many as 26 MPs from multiple parties have spoken till Friday.
The Business Advisory Committee of the House had allocated 12 hours for this discussion
including reply by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The debate is expected to continue on Monday as well while the Prime Minister's reply to the debate
is likely on Tuesday, Feb 8.
The first half of the session would continue till February 11.
The second half of the session is likely to resume from March 14 and continue till April 8.
The House of Elders also functioned without any disruption on Wednesday, Feb 2,
after 41 sittings spread across four sessions.
The improvements are in sharp contrast to what happened in the House in 2021.
Eight opposition members of the Rajya Sabha were suspended on Sept 21, 2021 over the massive
chaos when controversial farm bills were passed on Sunday (Sept 20).
There was a twist to the entire tale of ‘manhandling’ of a female marshal in Rajya Sabha last year during
the Monsoon session of Parliament as a video footage had gone viral showing most opposition
Members of Parliament watching silently as a few women MPs allegedly tried to drag the security personnel.
If this gory episode was not good enough, on August 10 Congress MP
Partap Singh Bajwa had jumped onto the Reporters’ table and hurled papers towards the chair.
ends
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Nirendra Dev
New Delhi
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