Rajya Sabha: A very strange incident is being seen in Rajya Sabha. Two seats of nominated members in the Upper House of Parliament i.e. Rajya Sabha have been vacant for more than 20 months. Although, due to this, there has been no impact on the legislative work, but it seems quite surprising that the seats in the Upper House remain vacant for such a long time. If the government wants, it can easily choose two suitable candidates to fill both these seats.
Nominated members are nominated to the Rajya Sabha through the President on the advice of the Central Government. The Central Government sends the names of 12 members having special knowledge in literature, science, art and social service to the President, who are sent to the Rajya Sabha. Under the nominated category, 7 seats were lying vacant from April-May 2022. Although, out of these 7 seats, 5 have been filled, but two seats are still lying vacant since May 2022. No name has even been given for them.
Which five people were sent to Rajya Sabha in 2022?
The five people who were nominated through the President and sent to Rajya Sabha as nominated members. It includes PT Usha (athlete), DV Hegde (social worker), V Vijendra Prasad (screenwriter-director) and Ilaiyaraaja (music composer). The President nominated these four people and sent them to the Rajya Sabha in July 2022 itself. However, the fifth nominated member was Ghulam Ali, who was nominated by the President and sent to the Rajya Sabha in September 2022.
What powers do the nominated members have?
Nominated members have the same powers and privileges as elected members of Parliament. They participate in the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha like any other member. However, they do not have the right to vote in the presidential election. But they can vote in the election of the Vice President of India. If the nominated member wishes, he can join any political party within six months of becoming a Rajya Sabha member. At present, out of 10 nominated members, five are from BJP.
Ram Shakal, Rakesh Sinha, Sonal Mansingh, Mahesh Jehmlani and Ghulam Ali joined BJP after becoming Rajya Sabha members. Ghulam Ali will retire in September 2028, while the other four people are retiring in July this year. The five other nominated members who did not join any political party after being nominated include Ranjan Gogoi (former Chief Justice of India), PT Usha, DV Hegde, V Vijayendra Prasad and Ilaiyaraaja.
