Incidents compromising dignity of the House call for tough measures: LS Speaker

BHOPAL: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated an orientation programme for members of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly at the Assembly premises in Bhopal today.

Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Mohan Yadav; Speaker, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Narendra Singh Tomar, Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and several other dignitaries graced the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Birla highlighted with concern the continuous decline in discipline and decorum in legislative bodies. Underscoring the importance of the legislature as a forum for serious debates, Birla noted that it is natural for some degree of disagreement, noise and uproar on the floors of the House, but often heated debates lead to disorder and chaos in the House, leading to loss of time and resources, which only reduces the credibility of legislatures among the people.

Mentioning that planned disruption is detrimental to the spirit of democracy, Birla asserted that when every sincere effort is made for active participation of Members' in House proceedings, incidents of compromising the dignity of the House call for tough measures. Differences of opinion should not be translated into obstructing Business of the House, stressed Birla.

Birla opined that it is an important responsibility for every legislator to ensure that legislative time is used with the utmost discipline and commitment and for meaningful and productive debates.

Expressing unhappiness, Birla said that in the last few years, the number of sittings as well as productivity of Legislatures has decreased, on account of increasing incidents of House adjournments due to disruption and commotion. He hoped that Legislatures as vibrant forum of constructive, meaningful and deep discussion and dialogue would utilize every minute of the House for welfare of the public.

Continuous state of chaos and disruption in the Parliament and legislatures, render these institutions dysfunctional, leaving them unable to solve the issues of the people, said Birla.

Mentioning that there are two basic requirements to maintain the dignity of Parliament - the integrity of the system itself and the integrity of the people who run it, Birla noted that the impact of the lack of discipline and decency in legislatures and disruptive and unruly behaviour of Members reduce the dignity of Legislatures which has negative impacts on democracy.

He added that hindering the functioning of legislatures and tarnishing their image is tantamount to endangering the future of the democratic system.

Mentioning that every public representative is a custodian of the hopes and aspirations of the nation, Birla observed that the public places a lot of trust on public representatives for a safe, secure and improved future for themselves. (ANI)

Also Read:Modi, UAE President hold roadshow ahead of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

Also Watch: