New Delhi, April 22 (Inditop.com) Rajya Sabha members were pleasantly surprised to have Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in their midst for the entire question hour Thursday.

The prime minister is not often seen in the house, of which he is the leader. He comes in only when there is a question related to a department under him or a major debate is underway which necessitates a reply by him.

On Thursday, there was a question asked of the prime minister on the nuclear liability bill but this was fielded by Prithviraj Chavan, the minister of state in the prime minister’s office (PMO).

Manmohan Singh keenly followed the proceedings, often picking up his papers as a question was asked and a reply given.

He walked into the house a few minutes before it assembled at 11 a.m. and walked out moments after question hour concluded at 12 noon.

Perhaps because of the prime minister’s presence, there were, for once, no major interruptions of the proceedings.