'Sorry state of affairs': Naidu on members' absenteeism

Upset with many members in Rajya Sabha being absent despite their names in the listing of starred questions, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday urged the media to publish their names.

In a rare instance, Upper House during Question Hour was adjourned for lunch five minutes before schedule at 12.55 pm. This was due to the absence of seven members whose starred questions were listed.

All the seven belonged to Opposition parties. Those absent were Dharmapuri Srinivas (TRS), Ravi Prakash Verma (SP), Ronald Sapa Tlau (Cong), MD Nadimul Haque (TMC), Dr Sasikala (AIADMK), Binoy Viswam (CPI) and Pradip Bhattacharya (Cong).

"After having asked the question, the members were absent. It is a sorry state of affairs," Naidu observed.

"I hope the media will publish the names of those absent, those who are not coming to House inspite of putting the questions also, which is a serious matter," he said.