Both the Houses of parliament on Monday paid rich tributes to Union Labour Minister and Congress Lok Sabha member from Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan) Sis Ram Ola (86), who passed away on Sunday.
As soon as the Houses assembled for the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari made obituary references and paid tributes to late Ola in their respective Houses. Later, the members stood in silence for some time as a mark of respect to the minister and the Houses adjourned for the day thereafter.
Ms. Kumar also made obituary reference about the demise of former LS member Somnath Rath of Odisha.
Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee, as advised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has given the Labour and Employment portfolio to Road Transport and Highways Minister Oscar Fernandes as an additional charge.