Naidu chides members for thin attendance in House

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday expressed unhappiness over thin attendance in the Upper House on Monday when a crucial legislation to provide constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes was passed.

At the start of the day's proceedings, Naidu observed that 156 members were present when the Rajya Sabha passed the constitution amendment bill. "We just scraped through," he lamented.

The Rajya Sabha has a total strength of 245. Majority of the members, that is more than half, are required to be present when an amendment to the Constitution is passed. It can be passed only when two-thirds of the members are present and vote in favour. The bill could have fallen if the numbers were a little less.

"We were exactly a little above the mark, that's all. Otherwise, you can't get it approved also," he said.

These are "sad commentary" on the functioning of the Rajya Sabha if someone was to take note of the attendance, Naidu said. He also asked the members to be punctual and assemble in the House before the start of the day's proceedings.