Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan has emphasised that dialogue, deliberation, debate and discussion are the basic tenets of parliamentary democracy.

 

 

Mr Radhakrishnan was interacting with the Floor Leaders of various parties of the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi today to discuss ways for ensuring the effective functioning of the Upper House. He urged members to make full use of available instruments such as Zero Hour, Special Mentions, and Question Hour to raise issues of public importance. Mr Radhakrishnan said that the Constitution of India, along with the Rules Book of the Rajya Sabha, determine the Laxman Rekha for parliamentary discourse.

 

 

He stressed that every day, every hour, every minute, every second of the time in the House should be used to strengthen democracy. The Chairman Rajya Sabha thanked all the leaders for their insights and participation, describing the interaction as a grand success. This was Mr Radhakrishnan’s first meeting with party leaders after assuming charge as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha last month. 

 

 

Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministers of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal and Dr L Murugan, Congress leader Pramod Tiwari, DMK Leader Tiruchi Shiva, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, Jhon Brittas of CPI(M), Birendra Prasad Baishya of AGP, Sanjay Singh of AAP, Upendra Kushwaha of RLM and members of other political parties attended the meeting. 

 

 

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha has started a good tradition by holding a formal introductory meeting today in which he listened to everyone and sought everyone’s views.

 

 

John Brittas of CPI(M) said, the Chairman conducted a very productive and rewarding session. He was open to suggestions, and members from different political parties shared their views.

        

BJD leader Sasmit Patra said it was a very positive meeting and they had numerous meaningful interactions.