Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day today without transacting any business as a mark of respect in memory of the Union Cabinet Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who passed away in Chennai on Tuesday. Making an obituary reference in the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Mohd. Hamid Ansari said in the passing away of Deshmukh, the country has lost an able administrator and a distinguished Parliamentarian. Mr Ansari said Deshmukh, a sitting member of the Upper House, represented Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha for two terms. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Meira Kumar conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members of the departed leader. Deeply mourning the death, she joined the members in paying respects to Deshmukh.
Members in both the Houses observed silence for a short while as a mark of respect to the departed.