Stressing that Rajya Sabha chairman is not “partisan” but “national,” Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said he will give preference to experienced members like former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda to express their views in the House and not go by the rule book.
Giving this assurance on the second day of assuming responsibility of the Upper House during the ongoing Winter Session, he also urged the Elders to rise above political considerations regarding important issues.
While felicitating him as new Rajya Sabha Chairman on Wednesday, it was suggested by some that experienced members should be given adequate time to express views on legislations and issues of national interest.
"Believe in the Chair. The Chair is not partisan. The Chair is national," Dhankhar said while making an observation during the Question Hour on day two of the Winter Session of Parliament.
Rajya Sabha rules provide for the allocation of time during debates as per the strength of a political party - the larger the number of MPs more is time is given to the party. Gowda is the sole member of his party (JDS) in the House and hence is allocated the least time to put forth his views.
Observing that the House has two former prime ministers - H D Deve Gowda and Manmohan Singh - as MPs, the chairman said their views on important matters would serve as an input to the entire nation.
"If on an issue honourable former prime minister H D Deve Gowda would like to speak that will be an input to the entire nation. I would first look at him, his vision and then the rulebook," said Dhankhar.
He further said senior MPs like Jairam Ramesh (Congress) too would be given time if they want to intervene on the subject of their expertise.
"The chairman is the ultimate custodian and protector," he assured the House.
He also said there is great interest about India after it assumed G-20 presidency earlier this month as was evident during his two recent visits abroad as the Vice President. Dhankhar invited suggestions from the MPs regarding the year long programmes associated with G-20 in India.
Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said the G-20 presidency was not of one party or the government but of the entire country.