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PM Modi flags concern over parties defending rule violators in State Assemblies, Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27 said that the perception of a legislature relies on the behaviour of its members and voiced concern about political parties supporting members violating rules of the House.

Reflecting on a bygone era, he recalled when members facing disciplinary action would receive guidance from senior counterparts to prevent the recurrence of rule violations. He expressed discontent with the contemporary scenario where certain political parties defend members’ mistakes, contributing to an unfavourable environment for legislative bodies. He made the remarks during his virtual address to the 84th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Mumbai.

PM Modi also noted a shift in societal norms, mentioning that accusations of corruption used to result in the ostracisation of a member from public life. “But now we witness public glorification of convicted corrupt individuals. This is an insult to the executive, the judiciary, and the Constitution,” he said.

He said that the young elected representatives should be given more opportunities in legislative committees so that they can participate more in policy-making.

Underling the significant role of State governments and Assemblies in shaping India’s progress, he said the country’s progress hinges on the advancement of the States.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts towards ‘One Nation, One Legislative Platform’ through e-Vidhan and Digital Sansad initiative, and underscored the significant achievement of his government in scrapping over 2,000 outdated laws over the past decade, asking the presiding officers of legislatures to pay attention to unnecessary laws and their impact on the people’s lives, stressing that their removal would have a significant positive impact.

Inaugurating the conference, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed concern over incidents of indiscipline, disruption of proceedings and unparliamentary conduct in the legislatures affecting their credibility.

He noted that there is enough space to give voice to dissent in the democratic system, therefore, disruption should not be used as a tool of protest and dissent.

Stressing that the conduct of public representatives should follow parliamentary decorum, Birla urged the members to devote their time in the House to productive business.