New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman, and the Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday granted leave to former Prime Minister and member of the Upper House Dr Manmohan Singh from the Winter Session of the House taking consideration of his illness. Naidu made the announcement after placining papers on the table. The Rajya Sabha Chairman approved Singh's request for leave from the current Winter Session, citing a letter from Singh requesting permission from the House to take time off for health reasons. "Dr. Manmohan Singh has written a letter stating that he will be unable to attend the Winter Session due to sickness. Permission to be absent has been granted. From November 29 to December 23, Manmohan has been allowed leave for the whole Winter Session "The Chairman stated. Singh, 89, has had health problems for a long time. In October, he was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he was treated for a cardiac condition in the institute's cardio neuro unit. Singh has had multiple heart bypass procedures in the past. In January 2009, he had his most recent surgery. Singh, a member of the Rajya Sabha, is an active public figure. He was named the head of an internal 11-member committee in April 2020 to define the Congress party's position on critical national problems, particularly in the wake of party president Sonia Gandhi's coronavirus pandemic. Rajya Sabha adjourned till Mid-noon amid ruckus by Opp leaders PM Narendra Modi meets with top ministers to discuss strategy Opposition stages walkout as M Venkaiah Naidu refuses to revoke suspensions