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RS in a fix over Lata Mangeshkar

The Rajya Sabha was caught in a fix on the issue of granting leave of absence to the Nightingale of Indian Music -- Lata Mangeshkar -- who has been nominated as a member but yet to take the oath of affirmation.

When Chairman Krishan Kant brought up the issue in the House, he himself appeared to be in doubt on the issue.

When the Rajya Sabha secretariat insisted on placing Mangeshkar's letter seeking leave of absence for the rest of the session, because she was not in the country, Gurudas Dasgupta wanted to know under what rule this was being done.

The chair had been given the clarification that the member's letter was to be submitted for voting because of 'convention' failing which she stood the risk of losing her membership.

The chair substantiated the move by quoting from the book of Kaul and Shakdhar on parliamentary rules and practices. The House finally granted her leave of absence. Thus, the singer who has created numerous records in her long career of music, created a record of sorts even before entering the House of Elders.

UNI

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