Voicing serious concern over the frequent disruptions in Parliament and different Assemblies across the country on minor issues, lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said that this new practice was actually eroding faith in democratic system of the country.
Kumar on her maiden visit to the State capital after becoming Speaker of lok Sabha was addressing the Himachal Pradesh Assembly on the culmination of the golden jubilee celebration of its existence since 1963. “If this will become a practice then people would start losing hope in the democratic system of the country,” she said.
“Frequent disruption of the proceedings of the House on minor issues is a matter of concern. Members of the House should express their thoughts and feelings by staying under the set rules and traditions of the House,” added Kumar.
Citing the recently concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament, Kumar said that she was sad that total of 73.30 hours of the Parliament were wasted due to disruptions despite some important legislations like Food Security Bill, Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers, land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill and Pension Bill.
She said that elected representatives should always keep in mind that they have to look after the concerns and welfare of the people who have elected them. “We can discuss the issues concerning people interest in the House and make laws but should always keep in mind that making laws is not enough but what matters is the laws are acceptable to the people and they follow it,” said the Speaker.
Citing the Dowry Act passed by the Parliament, the Speaker said that exploitation was still being done in the name of dowry in the country. “There is law for dissuading manual scavengers but still this practice is prevailing in several parts of the country,” added Kumar. “Members of the House should become a role model for society by setting some explicit examples and make opinions to eradicate social evils from society,” added Kumar, highlighting the efforts needed for women’s empowerment.
It is to be noted that earlier this year on May 24 during his address to the special session of HP Assembly, President Pranab Mukherjee, a noted Parliamentarian, had also voiced concern over frequent disruptions of Parliament and Assemblies. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in his address elaborated the achievements of the House and also voiced concern over disruptions in the House recently.
“Disruptions in the HP Assembly have not been the practice but recently some crucial hours of the House were wasted due to disruption,” Singh said. He also stressed on the importance of Question House and appealed to the Members of the House to participate and raise people centric issues.
leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal lauded the Himachal Pradesh Assembly for passing several important legislations and said that though HP has been a small State and has a small Assembly, still some of the legislations passed are big and implemented effectively.
Speaker of the Assembly, congratulated the lok Sabha Speaker for gracing the occasion and highlighted the rich heritage of the Assembly and the building which once housed the Central Assembly.
lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar felicitated senior ex-MlAs of the House, Ex-Union Telecom Minister Pandit Sukh Ram and others.