Winter Session belies commitment to principles of Constitution in good measures, says Vice-Prez
Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari on Wednesday lamented that the record of this Winter Session belied the commitment to the principles of the Constitution “in good measure”.
A visibly upset Ansari mentioned that this Winter Session of the Rajya Sabha lost over 47 hours due to disruptions and appealed to the members “to introspect on this state of affairs (and) desist from approaches and practices that demean the stature of the Rajya Sabha”.
In a very stern remark, Ansari said, “vehemence in language or behaviour resulting in obstruction of proceedings, apart from interruption and neglect of listed agenda,” also resulted in violation of privileges of individual members themselves. “It reflects adversely on the parliamentary process and our commitment to it. There is an imperative need to dispel this impression,” the Chairman said.
“The 237th Session of the Rajya Sabha, that last week seemed singularly unproductive in terms of legislative work, comes to an end this afternoon after having redeemed itself somewhat in the past three days,” said Ansari in his valedictory remarks before the House was adjourned sine die.
He recalled that three weeks back on December 1, the Rajya Sabha had solemnly committed itself to the principles and ideals of the Constitution. “A functioning legislature is an essential concomitant of these principles; disruptions amount to their negation. The record of this Session belies this commitment in good measure,” he said.
The interruptions in the functioning of the House, Ansari said sought to be “justified by specious logic by different sections of the House at different times to suit their tactics of the moment”, continue to result in loss of working time and neglect of listed business.
Ansari said interruptions denied members the opportunity to seek accountability of the executive through questions, ‘Zero Hour’ issues, discussions and debates on issues of public interest and concern. The disruptions also reduced or eliminated opportunity to scrutinise legislative proposals.
“Forgotten” in the process are the limitations of the rules of procedure, the operative assumptions on which they were framed and the various Rulings and Observations from the Chair pertaining to the requirement of decorum and dignity.
Ansari said the Chair appreciated the view that a political assembly works on its perception of public impulses. “Normal disciplinary procedures, therefore, have their limitations. The counterpart of this approach is self- discipline and a commitment to fulfill the objectives and purposes of a legislative body,” he said.
The Session had 20 sittings and the House sat for over 60 hours, of which over 47 hours were lost on issues like Kumari Selja’s remark about being asked about her caste at a Gujarat temple, alleged anti-Dalit remarks of Union Minister VK Singh and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s reported comments on Ram temple.
The other issues included court summons to top Congress functionaries in the National Herald case, opposition to the multi-purpose Polavaram project, atrocities on Dalits in Punjab, role of Governor of Arunachal and alleged irregularities in the functioning of DDCA and demand for resignation of Finance Minister.