Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, has taken the step of directing a complaint to the Privileges Committee for investigation. The complaint pertains to the alleged actions of five members of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which include the party's floor leader, K Keshava Rao. These members are accused of "displaying placards" during a session of the Rajya Sabha that occurred on September 18. The complaint was initiated by BJP leader Vivek Thakur.
Thakur submitted a notice under Rule 188, which is governed by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha, targeting K Keshava Rao, Damodar Rao Divakonda, Ravichandran Vaddiraju, K R Suresh Reddy, and B Lingaiah Yadav. In the complaint, it is asserted that the BRS members engaged in "contemptuous" behavior by displaying placards in the Rajya Sabha while it was in session on September 18, 2023. Such actions are perceived as a significant violation of the well-established standards of conduct expected from members of the Upper House. These actions, it is alleged, caused unwarranted disruptions in the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and resulted in a lowering of its dignity.
Based on a thorough evaluation of the facts and circumstances, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha has invoked Rule 203 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) to transfer this matter to the Committee of Privileges. The committee will undertake an examination, conduct an investigation, and eventually produce a comprehensive report on this matter. This course of action is confirmed in an official communication from the Rajya Sabha secretariat.
In a separate communication, the Chairman has also granted an extension of time to the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports. The purpose of this extension is to facilitate the examination and presentation of a report concerning 'The Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021.' The extension, granted for a period of three months, extends until January 24, 2024, as per the order issued by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
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