PM Modi pulls up MPs for being absent in Rajya Sabha

Chairing a meeting of the BJP Parliamentary meeting, Modi also lauded the performance of Indian players in Olympics, and urged all MPs to promote sports.

A day after a division of votes was forced by the Opposition in Rajya Sabha to refer the Tribunal Reforms Bill to a select committee, Prime Minister Modi expressed anguish about absence of MPs in the House. The motion to send the Bill to the committee was defeated with 79 votes against it, while 44 were in favour.

"The Prime Minister expressed anguish over the absence of BJP MPs in Rajya Sabha yesterday," a party leader said.

The Prime Minister emphasized on discipline and said attendance is must for MPs during sessions.

While lauding India's performance at the Olympics, the Prime Minister asked MPs to promote sports. He also asked MPs to focus on the issue of malnutrition, and promote Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.

This will be the last meeting of BJP's Parliamentary Party, which consists of MPs from both Houses, in the Monsoon Session, which is to end this week.

Both Houses have been witnessing a stalemate as Opposition demands a debate on the Pegasus snooping controversy.

The Defence Ministry informed Parliament in a written reply to a question on Monday that it did not have any transaction with NSO Group Technologies, the Israeli company that developed the Pegasus spyware.