With disruptions often hampering discussion on important issues in the House, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has mooted the idea of automatic suspension of members who entered the Well. Ms. Mahajan said there is no rule which allowed the MPs and MLAs to enter the Well and the Speaker has the power to take a decision.

“But, the Speaker is also a human being and is often faced with a dilemma in such a situation... after all the members have been elected by the people,” Ms. Mahajan said.

“The Speaker, though, tries to restore order and ensure that the House functioned smoothly.” Ms. Mahajan said discussions should be held in the Lok Sabha for framing good laws. “The Speaker need not announce the verdict if the member is automatically suspended for entering the Well.”

Wondering why disruptions should be caused, Ms. Mahajan said a close watch is being kept by the people on the conduct of the members. “The people have become more aware,” she said. In this context, she mentioned the NOTA (none of the above) option during polling, which was introduced on public demand.

Inaugurating the two-day 77th conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in India at the Vidhan Bhavan on Saturday, Ms. Mahajan made a strong pitch for the role of parliament in development. She wanted the States to emerge strong, irrespective of which government was in power at the Centre or in the State. “Politics should not come in the way of development, involvement of both is required,” she said. “No political party is against development and no one is opposed to India emerging stronger.”

Ms. Mahajan cautioned against differences giving way to animosity and strongly advocated the involvement of the Chief Minister in the opinion-making process vis-à-vis development. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav — it is the first time a CM has been invited to the presiding officers’ meet — said the first “priority was to strengthen people’s trust towards the House.” The Speaker of Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, Mata Prasad Pandey, lamented that often there were disruptions even during Question Hour, consequently causing its adjournment. “On some occasions, the proceedings come to a grinding halt….the presiding officer has to face divergent procedural challenges on several occasions,” Mr. Pandey said.

Source: TH