RS Chairman appeals to all members to enable the smooth conduct of the proceedings
AMN / NEW DELHI
Adhering to social distancing norms amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Rajya Sabha today took up business on the first day of Monsoon Session of Parliament.
For the first time in the history of Indian Parliament, both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha halls are being used for the sitting of one house at a time to enable members to fully adhere to social distancing norms. The Rajya Sabha now includes not only its own Chamber and Galleries but also the Chamber of the Lok Sabha.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Naidu pointed to the substantial business agenda before the House and appealed to all the members to enable the smooth conduct of the proceedings. He sought to remind them that people have lot of expectations from them in respect of providing valuable guidance on management of the pandemic, revival of the economy and return of normal social life.
Referring to the schedule of only 18 sittings during the brief Session, he stressed that primary focus would be to ensure meaningful discussions on important legislations and the issues concerning the nation, including COVID-19 pandemic.
Expressing his happiness to meet with the Members after a gap of 175 days, he observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest disaster to strike humankind since the Spanish Flu about 100 years ago. He said that in spite of India being the second most populous country, the damage due to the pandemic has been contained to the minimum– both in terms of scale of infections and case fatality ratio.
Stating that COVID-19 pandemic has defined a new normal and severely affected the nation and economy, he lauded the remarkable services being rendered by the frontline warriors, including Doctors, Nurses, Police, Paramilitary forces, sanitary workers, media personnel and essential service providers. He also complimented the farmers for having achieved record production despite the lockdown restrictions. He also expressed the hope that the efforts of scientists for a vaccine would come to fruition in the near future.
Fifteen newly elected MPs took oath. They include Shibu Soren of JMM, Zafar Islam of BJP, Dr K Keshav Rao of TRS, Tiruchi Siva of DMK, and Dinesh Trivedi of TMC.
The House also paid obituary references to the passing away of former president and ex-member of the Upper House Pranab Mukherjee as well as three sitting MPs, Beni Prasad Verma, MP Veerendra Kumar and Amar Singh. The house also paid obituary to other former members who passed away recently.
Later, the house was adjourned for one hour till 4:40 pm as a mark of respect to the departed leaders.
NDA’s Harivansh elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Staff Reporter
NDA candidate Harivansh has been again elected as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The upper house cleared his name with a voice vote. BJP President JP Nadda had moved the proposal to elect Harivansh as the deputy chairman and his motion was adopted. Later, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu announced his name.
The Opposition had pitted Manoj Jha of RJD against Harivansh. However, opposition parties did not press for voting and the JDU MP was declared elected with voice vote.
Congratulating Harivansh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said be it as a journalist or social worker, the JDU MP has endeared himself to many. He said everyone has seen the manner in which he conducts the House proceedings. Mr Modi said he belongs to all sides of the aisle and conducted proceedings in an impartial manner. He said he has been an outstanding umpire and has always been diligent in performing his duties. Mr Modi said this time, the Parliament has been convened in circumstances that were never seen before. He stressed that it is important to ensure all safety related precautions are taken.
Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, K Keshav Rao of TRS, Prasanna Acharya of BJP, Tiruchi Siva of DMK and others also congratulated Harivansh.