"The Rajya Sabha is about checks and balances. The Rajya Sabha, as the Council of States, enables us to further the spirit of cooperative federalism ," he said.Recalling the work done by Rajya Sabha, Modi said none can forget the role of the House when Bills pertaining to Articles 370 and 35(A) were passed. ""Whenever it has been about national good, the Rajya Sabha has risen to the occasion and made a strong contribution. Even GST became a reality after it was passed in the Rajya Sabha," he said.The prime minister said the Rajya Sabha gives an opportunity to those away from electoral politics to contribute to the nation and its development. "Who can forget that it was through the Rajya Sabha that a stalwart like Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar could contribute even more to national progress," he said, adding Ambedkar was never allowed to be elected to the Lok Sabha He said two things about the Rajya Sabha stand out - its permanent nature and it being representative of India's diversity.

Source: Economic Times November 18, 2019 10:07 UTC