scorecardresearch
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeIndiaGovernanceRajya Sabha a second house, but not secondary, Modi says as winter...

Rajya Sabha a second house, but not secondary, Modi says as winter session begins

As the 250th Rajya Sabha session began, PM Modi said he hoped it would be a productive one, and added that the upper house has always made a strong contribution to nation.

Follow Us :
Text Size:

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Rajya Sabha was essential for checks and balances in democracy but a distinction needs to be drawn between checking and clogging. As the Winter session begins on Monday, Modi said he hoped it would be a productive one, with high quality debates. 

The government is open to discussions on all issues, the prime minister told journalists in Parliament complex ahead of the beginning of the session. Modi said the Winter session will be the last session of Parliament in 2019 and a very significant one.

With some within the ruling party questioning the effectiveness of Rajya Sabha as crucial legislative work got stalled because NDA lacked majority in the House, Modi recalled the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s words that the Upper House “may be the second house but no one should think of it as a secondary house.”

Speaking on the occasion of the landmark 250th session of Rajya Sabha, and the 70th year of the Constitution, Modi lauded Sharad Pawar’s NCP and the Biju Janata Dal for never rushing to the well of the House to raise their issues and yet raising their points effectively.

“Today I want to appreciate two parties — NCP and BJD. These parties have wonderfully adhered to Parliamentary norms. They have never ventured into the well. Yet, they have made their points very effectively. Much can be learnt from these practices,” he said.

Recalling the work done by Rajya Sabha, Modi said none can forget the role of the House when Bills pertaining to Articles 370 and 35(A) were passed.

“Whenever it has been about national good, the Rajya Sabha has risen to the occasion and made a strong contribution. It was believed that the Bill on Triple Talaq would not pass here but it did. Even GST became a reality after it was passed in the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

The prime minister said the Rajya Sabha gives an opportunity to those away from electoral politics to contribute to the nation and its development.

“Who can forget that it was through the Rajya Sabha that a stalwart like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar could contribute even more to national progress,” he said, adding Ambedkar was never allowed to be elected to the Lok Sabha.

He said two things about the Rajya Sabha stand out — its permanent nature and it being representative of India’s diversity.

“I can say that it is eternal… This House gives importance to India’s federal structure,” he said.


Also read: MPs ride bicycles, wear masks, drive e-cars as winter session kicks off


 

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular