Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Wednesday hits out at the regular disruptions of the proceedings of Parliament by stating that “it leads to criminal wastage of huge public money”.
On the criminals entering into politics, the former Speaker said, “This has led to criminalisation of politics or rather politicisation of crime.”
Mr Chatterjee on Wednesday was speaking at a function at the Delhi Assembly on the issue of “Parliamentary Ethics”, which was attended by Delhi Speaker Yoganand Shastri and a score of MLAs.
While talking about ethics, Mr Chatterjee also pointed out that it is a pity that there have been situations when the dignity and the decorum of the Lok Sabha was mercilessly trampled upon. “During the ‘trust vote’ in July 2008, the most questionable conduct of flaunting bundles of currency notes in the House to make a political point was one of the lowest points,” said Mr Chatterjee.
He further pointed out that it is a matter of concern that due to the growing confrontational politics, demands are often made most unreasonably for the suspension of the Question Hour.
“Usually issues which are raised by suspending the Question Hour can be discussed without the suspension,” Mr Chatterjee said adding that “It is a duty for them (MLAs and MPs) not to barter away this privilege (Question Hour) for any consideration other than the larger and transparent interest of the constituents and that of the state as a whole.
While appreciating Delhi Assembly’s plan to set up a an ethics committee, he said, “It is expected to observe a certain standard of conduct both inside the House as well as outside it.”
He added, “Their (MLAs) behaviour should be such as to enhance the dignity of the assembly and its members in general.”