Peeved over absence of Ministers in the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said they cannot take it “casually” and “it cannot be usual” and asked the Government to take note.
He made these observations when some ministers were absent from the house even though papers were listed against their names and others presented the papers on their behalf.
“The Ministers who are supposed to lay papers on the table of the House having given notice to the Chair should not be absent from the House. In extreme circumstances — there would be some occasions — if there is any problem, they must approach the Chair in advance and seek permission.
“Some of them are doing it while others think it is casual. It cannot be casual, it cannot be usual,” he said, asserting he will not allow such things in the future.
Naidu asked Leader of the House Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi to take note. He said he was not objecting to others laying papers on ministers’ behalf with prior notice and permission.
There have been occasions when ministers were not present in the House when their names are called for the laying certain official papers and others had to do so on their behalf.
Meanwhile, Naidu also lauded chairpersons of some of the parliamentary standing committees for their timely reports and holding regular meetings.
Naidu adjourns RS for day till Monday
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Friday adjourned Rajya Sabha for the day till Monday within 17 minutes of its proceedings appealing to the members to reach a consensus so that the House can function normally for the remaining days.
“Today I had a talk with the Leader of the House, and also some senior members of the Opposition. I would like to appeal to each one of you, please arrive at some sort of consensus to see that the House functions normally. In order to facilitate discussions among yourselves, I am adjourning the House to meet on Monday,” Naidu said.