Rajya Sabha sittings of the Houses of Parliament of India are rare, and in the history of the Republic, only three such joint-sessions have been held; the latest one for the passage of the 2002 Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Vice President of India (currently, Venkaiah Naidu) is the "ex-officio" Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions. The Deputy Chairman, who is elected from amongst the house's members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Chairman. The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952. The salary and other benefits
Member of parliament, Lok Sabha Parliament by law. The rules governing salaries, allowances and facilities such as medical, housing, telephone facilities, daily allowance etc. is looked after by a joint committee of both the houses (Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha). The committee is constituted from time to time after consultation with the Government of India. Article 81 of the Constitution of India 1949 has specified the maximum strength of members of parliament in the Lok Sabha to be 552. Total strength during in the 16th Lok Sabha is 545 against approved strength of 552. The number of members of parliament is distributed among the