Don’t skip House panel meetings: Naidu to MPs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 18

Setting the tone for a discussion in the House to mark the 250th session of Rajya Sabha, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu today appealed to parties to ensure that members attend the Parliamentary Standing Committee meetings regularly.

Asking members to do some soul-searching as “all is not well”, Naidu said, the House needed to meet people’s expectations.

The Upper House of Parliament today took up a discussion on “Role of Rajya Sabha in Indian Polity and the Way Forward” on the first day of the 250th session of the House on Monday.

Naidu said the House has played a significant role in the socio-economic transformation of the country during its journey of last 67 years but “all is not well”. He urged the members to look within to answer the question – “Are we contributing to enhancing the standing of this august institution by our words and deeds both within the House and outside?”

Naidu then went on to give 10 suggestions to the members in order to make a difference to the functioning of the House, henceforth. He suggested that there should be adequacy of the number of the sittings in the context of the House meeting for about 60-70 days in a year now, keeping in view the nature and volume of legislations and time available for discussing issues of public importance. He also referred to the recent incident when a parliamentary committee on urban affairs had called a meeting to discuss the issue of air pollution in national capital but 25 of the 29 members did not turn up.

The Chairman said members should follow norms for equitable and wider participation in debates and the political parties should ensure that those with the right background and abilities who can enrich discussions are sent to the House. He also asked for ensuring self-discipline on the part of the members to ensure compliance with the rules of the business for orderly functioning of the House.