Rajya Sabha Adjourned for 10 Minutes Due to Absence of Cabinet Ministers

Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan was compelled to adjourn proceedings for 10 minutes on Friday after observing that no Cabinet Minister was present in the House.

The incident occurred immediately following a solemn tribute to those who bravely fought against terrorists during the Parliament attack on December 13, 2001. Opposition members promptly raised concerns about the absence of Cabinet ministers during the session.

Chairman Radhakrishnan acknowledged the procedural breach and requested a junior minister to summon a Cabinet minister to the House, assuring members he would address this matter with the government.

Opposition members expressed strong dissatisfaction with this response. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh characterized the situation as "an insult to the House" and demanded adjournment until a Cabinet minister arrived.

After waiting approximately five minutes, Chairman Radhakrishnan declared a 10-minute adjournment of proceedings.

When the House reconvened following the brief intermission, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed regret for the absence of Cabinet ministers. He explained that his own absence was due to his required attendance in the Lok Sabha for mourning the death of former speaker and former home minister Shivraj Patil.

Rijiju further noted that Leader of the House J P Nadda was away responding to questions in the Lower House. "I regret that a Cabinet Minister was not there," he stated.

Congress leader Pramod Tiwari pointed out that Patil had previously served as a Rajya Sabha member, suggesting the House should also officially mourn his passing.

Rijiju responded that the Secretariat was processing this matter and assured members that "it will be duly condoled in this House also." When the session resumed, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman joined Rijiju and Nadda among the ministers present.