New Delhi, Sep 13 (IANS) Days after the Indian parliament was abruptly adjourned following sustained heckling inside both houses, members were Thursday warned that peoples’ “doubt or lack of confidence in them” would undermine the very basis of the country’s democracy and unity.
At a function to honour four outstanding parliamentarians in the Central Hall of Parliament House, President Pratiba Patil reminded the MPs that people were “viewing” their performance in parliament and forming their opinion on the basis of what they saw. Speaking at the function, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee regretted that there was a perception that the legislators’ behaviour was not up to the desired level.
Patil reminded MPs that parliament bears the responsibility of setting standards for all elected bodies. “Parliament, being the national legislative body, also bears the responsibility of setting standards for state legislatures, local bodies and indeed all elected bodies,” she said.
Chatterjee, who has earlier expressed anguish over the increasing disruptions in the Lok Sabbha (Lower house) and the unsavoury instance of MPs being caught in scandals, said: “Of late, unfortunately, there is a perception that the atmosphere in our legislatures is not in consonance with due discharge of members’ duties to the society and that the quality of debates as also the behaviour of our members is not up to the desired level.”
While adjourning the Lok Sabha on Monday four days ahead of schedule, Chatterjee had questioned the “utility” of the system of parliamentary democracy and its future as the disruptions had brought the house proceedings to a standstill.
“It is indeed a disturbing trend, which tends to demoralise and dishearten the people at large… We should realise that by our proper conduct and behaviour both inside and outside the legislatures alone can we evoke respect and appreciation of the people,” he said. He warned that people, especially the youth, would lose faith in the parliamentary system.
“Unethical conduct and disruptive behaviour will seriously undermine the very edifice of our democratic structure,” the speaker warned.
Four MPs – Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Sushma Swaraj – were conferred awards for their outstanding performance during 2003-2006.
Pointing out that that people were viewing the MPs’ performance, Patil said: “It is on the basis of what people see that they form an opinion about the functioning of parliament and its contribution to policy formulation. The public is ever watchful of the way debates are held and of how the time of parliament is utilized.”
Patil also urged MPs to ensure that the benefits of India’s fast growing economy were equally shared among all sections of the society. “Parliamentarians must look after the interests of the less privileged and the most vulnerable sections of society, who due to their very condition are the voiceless. It should be the duty of every MP to stand in support of activities and policies that promote better health and education facilities as also better opportunities for all.”
Congratulating the award winners, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “All of them are not just good parliamentarians but also have proved to be good administrators. Each one of them in their own rights has been a role model.”
The prime minister also reminded the MPs that the success of democratic institutions in India gave hope to countries all over the world. “Such is the importance of the example that we set for the future of democracy not just here in our country but across the world at large. I, therefore, hope that each one of our MPs will reflect on the role that they can individually and collectively play in strengthening this great institution of democracy,” he said.
Vice-President Hamid Ansari also addressed the gathering, which was attended by cabinet ministers and MPs of both houses.