Rajya Sabha sees some peace, bids farewell to members

There was some peace in Rajya Sabha Tuesday, after two adjournments earlier in the day as members bid farewell to retiring MPs.

The upper house gave farewell to 54 of its members from 17 states who are retiring in April and May this year. Fifteen of the retiring members have been re-elected.

Chairman M Hamid Ansari said the members have made "rich contributions" in the deliberations of the house and "influenced public policy to server larger causes".

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was also present in the house.

The upper house remained disturbed through the day, witnessing its first adjournment as soon as it met for the day.

The house was first adjourned till 12 noon, and then till 2 pm amid din as members from Andhra Pradesh rushed near chairman's podium raising slogans both in favour and against Telangana.

Members from Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party also trooped to the chairman's podium demanding the inclusion of 17 castes in Uttar Pradesh in the Scheduled Castes category.

Tamil Nadu members meanwhile demanding the release of fishermen from the state arrested by Sri Lankan Navy.