Members suggest equal representation of states in Rajya Sabha

According equal representation to states and scraping time limit to speak in debates in the House were some of the suggestions made by members during the landmark 250th session of the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Some members alleged that the legislative powers of the Upper House of Parliament were under attack.

Participating in a special discussion on the "Role of Rajya Sabha in Indian Polity and the Need for Reforms", Bhupender Yadav of the BJP sought to counter former prime minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of scrutiny of Bills by Select Committees of the Rajya Sabha.

"Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was saying that the Select Committees should have higher influence on the (Upper) House. I would like to point out, since I believe he (Manmohan) is one of the senior most members of this House, perhaps wrong facts have been presented to him," Yadav said.

The previous Congress government had referred only five bills, while this government has sent 17 bills to Select Committees.

"This is more than three times than the Congress government," he added.

Congress leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said now the Bills are being sent to Select Committees after demands from the Opposition.

Manmohan Singh had said, "For our chamber (Rajya Sabha) to fully function, it is required that we scrutinise the bills more thoroughly in committees (Parliamentary), where not only the members can apply their mind, even the opinion of stakeholders can be solicited."
He said, "I would assert that regardless of what other House does, it is crucial for our House to form select committees to ensure that the bill receive detailed scrutiny that they deserve."