Disruption effect: Committee formed to revise Rajya Sabha rules
New Delhi, May 7: A two-member committee to revise the rules and procedure of conduct of business in the upper House of Parliament has been formed by Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu, officials said on Monday.
The two-member committee would be headed by former Rajya Sabha Secretary General V.K. Agnihotri, while S.R. Dhaleta, a former Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Law and Justice would serve as a member.
The committee had been mandated to submit its report in three months, but it could granted further extensions, the officials said, adding that the panel could give some of the recommendations before the monsoon session of Parliament.
According to them, although the committee would have a holistic relook at the rules, the provisions dealing with the disruptions in the House and the provisions, which seem "inadequate" as compared to the rules in Lok Sabha, would get special attention.
The Rajya Sabha saw a complete washout in the budget session due to disruptions and the House could barely pass one Bill during the month-long session. The Chair was often seen expressing its helplessness in effectively dealing with the disrupting members under the present rules.
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Two held for trying to 'bribe' Odisha Cong MLAs ahead of RS polls: Party sources
Bengaluru (PTI): Two people were arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe Odisha Congress MLAs, who are staying in a resort near here, party sources claimed on Sunday.
Eight MLAs, along with some other Odisha Congress unit office bearers are camping in a resort.
They have been flown to Bengaluru with apprehensions of horse trading during the Rajya Sabha elections in favour of ruling BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate.
According to the Congress sources, two persons were apprehended at a private resort for attempting to buy over Orissa Congress MLAs.
"Two people have been arrested. One of the accused has been named as Suresh. Hunt is on for the third accused, who is a defeated Lok Sabha candidate," a source told PTI.
Blank cheques were also found in their possession, they claimed. They shared the photograph and blank cheques as well.
"They tried to negotiate with the Congress MLAs by offering a blank cheque. Both have been caught and handed over to the Bidadi police," the source said.
Police sources said that they have been arrested.
According to Congress sources, the Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha will take place on Monday. The BJP has fielded one more candidate, which raised apprehensions of horse-trading.
Congress and the Biju Janata Dal have fielded a candidate.
