News for 'Rajya Sabha Secretariat'

Rajya Sabha MPs' expenses soar to Rs 262 cr in two yrs, reveals RTI

Rajya Sabha MPs' expenses soar to Rs 262 cr in two yrs, reveals RTI

Rediff.com19 Jul 2026

An RTI reply has revealed that over Rs 262 crore was spent on salaries, allowances, and facilities for Rajya Sabha MPs in the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. This includes more than Rs 151 crore specifically for allowances and travel, with a significant increase in expenditure from the first to the second year.

TMC's Sushmita Dev resigns as Rajya Sabha MP, meets Assam CM

TMC's Sushmita Dev resigns as Rajya Sabha MP, meets Assam CM

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev has resigned from the Rajya Sabha, becoming the second TMC MP to do so this week. Speculation suggests she may join the BJP, following a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, amidst a broader rebellion within the TMC after its recent electoral defeat.

Another Rajya Sabha MP quits Trinamool, third in a week

Another Rajya Sabha MP quits Trinamool, third in a week

Rediff.com11 Jun 2026

The TMC is facing a crisis following its defeat in the West Bengal assembly polls and a rebellion that has significantly weakened its organisational and legislative strength.

TVK allocates lone Rajya Sabha seat to Cong

TVK allocates lone Rajya Sabha seat to Cong

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

The TVK's decision to offer the lone Rajya Sabha seat to the Congress came against the backdrop of key meetings between national party leaders, including former union finance minister P Chidambaram and Congress Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar at the Secretariat.

Raghav Chadha on the way out? AAP replaces him as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha

Raghav Chadha on the way out? AAP replaces him as deputy leader in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has requested the Rajya Sabha secretariat to remove Raghav Chadha as the party's deputy leader in the House, proposing Punjab MP Ashok Mittal as his replacement, amidst Chadha's absence from key party events and prolonged silence on AAP matters.

Rajya Sabha Gears Up For Face-Off

Rajya Sabha Gears Up For Face-Off

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

10 vacancies in the Upper House after Rajya Sabha members were elected to the Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha Fellowships on Parliamentary Studies

Rajya Sabha Fellowships on Parliamentary Studies

Rediff.com12 May 2009

pplications are invited for the Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair and two Rajya Sabha Fellowships on Parliamentary Studies instituted by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

Rajya Sabha Chairman orders probe into conduct of 12 Oppn MPs

Rajya Sabha Chairman orders probe into conduct of 12 Oppn MPs

Rediff.com21 Feb 2023

According to a Rajya Sabha bulletin, nine of the MPs are from the Congress and three from the AAP.

Ruling BJP alliance to get majority in Rajya Sabha in April

Ruling BJP alliance to get majority in Rajya Sabha in April

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to get a majority in the Rajya Sabha in April this year, once the remaining six vacancies under the nominated category are filled and those newly elected take oath.

Trinamool crisis deepens: RS MP quits, Chairman accepts resignation

Trinamool crisis deepens: RS MP quits, Chairman accepts resignation

Rediff.com8 Jun 2026

Rajya Sabha MP Sukhen Shekhar Ray has resigned from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and his parliamentary seat, adding to the party's ongoing internal crisis and political turmoil.

'Silenced, not defeated': Raghav Chadha after AAP removes him as deputy leader in RS

'Silenced, not defeated': Raghav Chadha after AAP removes him as deputy leader in RS

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

AAP MP Raghav Chadha claims he was silenced after being removed as the party's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, alleging his own party sought to prevent him from speaking in Parliament.

Rajya Sabha sets record with second-longest sitting in history

Rajya Sabha sets record with second-longest sitting in history

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

The Rajya Sabha, India's upper house of parliament, witnessed its second-longest sitting in history on Thursday, lasting until 4:02 am the next day. The House convened to clear the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and approve the statutory resolution on the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur. The longest sitting in Rajya Sabha history occurred on September 17, 1981, when the House sat until 4:43 am to pass the Essential Services Maintenance Bill.

Bypoll results see NDA inching closer to majority in Rajya Sabha

Bypoll results see NDA inching closer to majority in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com28 Aug 2024

Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian were elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha Tuesday along with senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi and former minister Upendra Kushwaha.

TMC slips to single digits in RS as Koel Mallick resigns; more exits likely

TMC slips to single digits in RS as Koel Mallick resigns; more exits likely

Rediff.com16 Jul 2026

Actor-turned-politician and Trinamool Congress MP Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, on Thursday resigned from the Rajya Sabha, the fourth TMC MP to do so ever since the Mamata Banerjee-led party was ousted from power in West Bengal.

Rajya Sabha clocks 100% productivity in first week

Rajya Sabha clocks 100% productivity in first week

Rediff.com5 Feb 2022

The Rajya Sabha is slated for a 12-hour discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to the joint session of the two Houses of Parliament, which also includes the reply by the prime minister, which is likely next Tuesday.

Rajya Sabha chairman takes trial of Monsoon Session

Rajya Sabha chairman takes trial of Monsoon Session

Rediff.com27 Aug 2020

As the members of the Rajya Sabha will be seated at multiple locations, including the galleries of the House and in the Lok Sabha, a hotline facility between the chambers of the two Houses has been created for the technology-aided session.

Rajya Sabha chairman rejects Mallya's resignation

Rajya Sabha chairman rejects Mallya's resignation

Rediff.com3 May 2016

Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, facing a case of loan default of over Rs 9,400 crore, is all set to be expelled from the Rajya Sabha as Chairman Hamid Ansari on Tuesday turned down his resignation on procedural grounds.

Union Budget allocates Rs 1,492 cr for Parliament

Union Budget allocates Rs 1,492 cr for Parliament

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget allocates Rs 1,492 crore for the functioning of both Houses of Parliament, with specific provisions for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and related secretariats.

Rajya Sabha: Uproar over petrol, diesel price hike

Rajya Sabha: Uproar over petrol, diesel price hike

Rediff.com2 Sep 2013

The Rajya Sabha on Monday witnessed uproar over the steep Rs 2.35 a litre hike in petrol price and 50 paisa a litre increase in cost of diesel.

Glitches in system mark voting on FDI in Rajya Sabha

Glitches in system mark voting on FDI in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com7 Dec 2012

Glitches in the automatic vote recording system of the Rajya Sabha on Friday marked the crucial voting on the motion against Foreign Direct Investment in multi-brand retail which the government won. Even after voting was conducted twice, the final figure was corrected after scrutiny by officials of the Rajya Sabha secretariat late on Friday night.

Derek O'Brien is Trinamool chief whip in Rajya Sabha

Derek O'Brien is Trinamool chief whip in Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com2 Aug 2012

Trinamool Congress has named Derek O'Brien as its chief whip in the Rajya Sabha. The party, which is a key constituent of the United Progressive Alliance government, has sent a communication in this regard to the Rajya Sabha secretariat, sources said in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEET paper leak: Parl panel summons NTA, CBI over exam conduct

NEET paper leak: Parl panel summons NTA, CBI over exam conduct

Rediff.com28 May 2026

A parliamentary panel has summoned officials from the Union Education Ministry, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the CBI to address concerns regarding the conduct of examinations.

'Our MPs will chant 'Vande Mataram' loudly in Parl': Uddhav dares BJP

'Our MPs will chant 'Vande Mataram' loudly in Parl': Uddhav dares BJP

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party's MPs will chant 'Vande Mataram' loudly in Parliament, daring the BJP to throw them out.

Rajya Sabha clocks 99.80% productivity in Budget Session

Rajya Sabha clocks 99.80% productivity in Budget Session

Rediff.com7 Apr 2022

This is the Upper House's third best productive session in the last 14 sessions since the Monsoon Session (243rd Session) of 2017, the Rajya Sabha officials said.

Vijay Mallya resigns from Rajya Sabha

Vijay Mallya resigns from Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com2 May 2016

Vijay Mallya, facing a case of loan default of over Rs 9,400 crore, on Monday resigned from Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha loses 40 of 50 working hours during first 2 weeks

Rajya Sabha loses 40 of 50 working hours during first 2 weeks

Rediff.com31 Jul 2021

With disruptions continuing, the productivity of Rajya Sabha fell to 13.70 per cent during the second week of the ongoing monsoon session from 32.20 per cent during the first week, resulting in an overall productivity of 21.60 per cent for the first two weeks.

Complaint Filed Against Anurag Sharma Over Alleged Election Rule Violations

Complaint Filed Against Anurag Sharma Over Alleged Election Rule Violations

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

A complaint has been filed against Rajya Sabha member Anurag Sharma, alleging concealment of property details and violation of election rules during the nomination process.

Lok Sabha may debate motion to remove Speaker Om Birla on Monday

Lok Sabha may debate motion to remove Speaker Om Birla on Monday

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

The Lok Sabha is set to debate a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Om Birla, a rare event where he will be seated among members as the House considers allegations of partisan conduct.

LS speaker to decide on defections in TMC, Sena-UBT before monsoon session

LS speaker to decide on defections in TMC, Sena-UBT before monsoon session

Rediff.com5 Jul 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is set to make crucial decisions regarding the status of rebel factions from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Shiv Sena (UBT) before the Monsoon session of Parliament begins on July 20, following demands for their disqualification by their parent parties.

NC, BJP take out protests against each other in Srinagar

NC, BJP take out protests against each other in Srinagar

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

The National Conference and BJP held significant protests in Jammu and Kashmir, accusing each other of failing to deliver on promises. The NC demanded the restoration of statehood, while the BJP criticised the NC government's performance on issues like jobs and corruption, marking the first major political unrest since Article 370's abrogation.

Signature row hits bid to oust HC judge over 'hate speech'

Signature row hits bid to oust HC judge over 'hate speech'

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

The Rajya Sabha secretariat has verified the signatures of 44 of the 55 MPs who had signed a notice to bring a motion for the removal of Allahabad high court Judge Shekhar Yadav over his 'hate speech' even as Kapil Sibal and nine others were yet to verify their signatures.

5 changes Rajya Sabha wanted in Aadhaar Bill

5 changes Rajya Sabha wanted in Aadhaar Bill

Rediff.com17 Mar 2016

The Congress and the Left parties might move court to challenge LS speaker's ruling on Aadhaar as money Bill.

Juvenile Justice Bill passed in Rajya Sabha amid Oppn ruckus

Juvenile Justice Bill passed in Rajya Sabha amid Oppn ruckus

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

The Upper House, which has seen continuous protests by the Opposition since the Monsoon session started on July 19 to press for discussions on Peagasus and farm laws, was adjourned thrice before the Chair finally adjourned it for the day.

Rajya Sabha issues code of conduct for members ahead of budget session

Rajya Sabha issues code of conduct for members ahead of budget session

Rediff.com29 Jan 2022

As per the rules and regulations, members must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility, and members must utilise their position as Members of Parliament to advance general well-being of the people.

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Will Budget 2026 Break Sunday Rule?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Officials said the government is keen to conform to the convention of the Union Budget for 2026-2027 being presented on February 1 despite it falling on a Sunday in 2026.

Rajya Sabha creates record, takes up all listed questions after 15 years

Rajya Sabha creates record, takes up all listed questions after 15 years

Rediff.com2 Jan 2018

The last time all listed starred questions were taken up was in 2002 during the 197th Session of the Upper House, officials in the Rajya Sabha secretariat said.

Rajya Sabha productivity falls further to 16% in 2nd week, passes no bill

Rajya Sabha productivity falls further to 16% in 2nd week, passes no bill

Rediff.com31 Jul 2022

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed disappointment saying "obstruction is destruction of parliamentary democracy".

Hamid Ansari on 10 years as Rajya Sabha chairman

Hamid Ansari on 10 years as Rajya Sabha chairman

Rediff.com14 Aug 2017

'The chair is a referee in a match, whether this side is playing better or that side is playing worse is no concern of the chair.'

Mamata questions curbs on 'Jai Hind' and 'Vande Mataram' in Parl

Mamata questions curbs on 'Jai Hind' and 'Vande Mataram' in Parl

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Banerjee said she had come across media reports claiming that the patriotic slogans were not being permitted in the House.

India to get new Vice President on September 9

India to get new Vice President on September 9

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

The election for the post of Vice President will be held on September 9, with the notification being issued on August 7 and the last date for filing nominations on August 21.