Rekha attends Rajya Sabha proceedings for first time in Budget Session

NEW DELHI: Often criticised for her absence from Rajya Sabha, Bollywood actor Rekha today attended the proceedings of the Upper House for the first time in the ongoing Budget Session.

Clad in a cream coloured saree and wearing goggles, Rekha witnessed the proceedings during Question Hour even though she did not ask any question.

Seated in her seat (number 99), the film actor remained in the House only for a few minutes and later left with Congress member Renuka Chowdhury.

This is the first time she has attended the ongoing budget session. She had attended the last Winter Session once also. She was nominated to the Upper House in 2012.

She had come under criticism from her fellow members in the Upper House last year when they had pointed to her long absence, along with that of cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, and had asked whether they had sought permission from the Chair.

Some members had also alleged that celebrities were "insulting" the House by not attending it.

Article 104 of the Constitution has penal provisions for a member's absence from either House of Parliament.