Naidu expresses concern over absenteeism of MPs in parliamentary standing committees

A day before the landmark 250th session of Rajya Sabha begins, its chairman Venkaiah Naidu expressed concern over absenteeism of members in department-related parliamentary standing committees, saying "we must not let their standards drop".

In a meeting with floor leaders of political parties on Sunday, the vice president urged them to ensure proper attendance of MPs so that the committees could effectively perform their duties.

Naidu's concern come days after only four MPs attended a crucial meeting of the 28-member standing committee on urban development to discuss air pollution in the national capital.

The only Lok Sabha MP from Delhi in the committee, Gautam Gambhir, also didn't attend the meeting and was seen doing commentary in Indore for a India-Bangladesh cricket match.

"Referring to the reports of absenteeism of members in the meetings of the department-related standing committees, Naidu urged the leaders to ensure proper attendance of MPs so that the committees could effectively examine and report on various subjects selected and bills referred in a bipartisan and detailed manner, the Rajya Sabha secretariat said in a statement.

Emphasising that standing committees are effective instruments of bipartisan and detailed examination of issues, Naidu said, "We must not let their standards drop. Proper attendance is crucial for their functioning. I urge leaders to ensure proper attendance of MPs in the committee meetings."