NEW DELHI, Feb 10:
Voicing concern over disruptions in Parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee today asked Parliamentarians to do “some introspection” over functioning of the House.
He stressed that Parliament functions through debate and it was important that all stakeholders follow sound parliamentary conventions and rules
“Parliament functions through debate, dissension and finally decision and not through disruption. In order to strengthen Parliamentary functioning and other democratic institutions, it is important that all stakeholders– Government, political parties, their leaders and Parliamentarians do some introspection and follow sound parliamentary conventions and rules,” Mukherjee said.
He was speaking on the occasion of unveiling of photographs of Presidents of Central Legislative Assembly and portraits of former speakers of Lok Sabha in Parliament’s Central Hall.
Describing Parliament as “Gangotri” of the nation’s democracy, Mukherjee said it represents the will and aspirations of one billion plus people and is the link between the people and the Government.
“If Gangotri gets polluted, neither Ganga nor any of its tributaries can stay unpolluted. It is incumbent upon all Parliamentarians that they maintain the highest standards of democracy and parliamentary functioning,” the President said at the function attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj, senior ministers and former Speakers.
Maintaining that Parliament, like other organs of the Government, is not sovereign and owes its origin and authority to the Constitution, he said it derives its functional responsibility from, and discharges its responsibilities within the framework of the Constitution.
Noting that fifteen Lok Sabhas were constituted in the country since independence, Mukherjee said that every Lok Sabha has successfully guided the nation on the path of progress.
“In response to the unique circumstances every Lok Sabha has faced, the Parliament has evolved as an effective representative institution to meet the emerging challenges of our vibrant democracy,” he said.
Speaking about the authority and powers of the Speaker, the President said that as the constitutional and functional head of the House, the Speaker is entrusted with the onerous responsibility of protecting the independence, impartiality, dignity and power of the House.
“Adequate powers are vested in the office of the Speaker through the Constitution, through the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the House and also through the conventions to ensure smooth conduct of the parliamentary proceedings,” Mukherjee said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar spoke about the “absolutely impartial” role a Speaker has to play.
“We have a vibrant multi-party democracy. Our Speakers invariably are members of a political party and like the rest, have been elected through an intense political process.
“However, as soon as they assume the Office of the Speaker, they are expected to distance themselves from their political affiliations and become absolutely impartial not only within, but also outside the House,” Kumar said.
She said Speakers have to maintain a fine balance among all the parties representing various shades of opinion in Parliament.
“It’s an arduous duty, but one which has been performed so far with unfailing sagacity,” she said.
Kumar said that Speakers across the globe are aware that the challenges faced by the Speaker in India are “not only extremely complex but also quite varied in nature.”
“Therefore, they find the rulings given by successive Indian Speakers helpful in overcoming their own similar situations,” she said.
Kumar made a special mention of Vithalbhai Patel, the first elected President of Central Legislative Assembly, saying he underscored the importance of “impartiality” of the Presiding Officers.
“And this, by no means, is an easy task,” she said.
Unveiling the photographs, Mukherjee earlier said that as Presiding Officers of the country’s apex elected body these distinguished personalities made significant contributions towards strengthening the edifice of Indian parliamentary democracy through their innovative rulings, directions, observations and initiatives.
Former Speakers Somnath Chatterjee, Manohar Joshi, P A Sangma were among those present on the occasion.
Mukherjee also mentioned the Presidents of the Central Legislative Assembly in the pre-Independence period – Frederick Whyte, Vithalbhai Patel, Muhammad Yakub, Ibrahim Rahimtoola, R K Shanmukham Chetty and Abdur Rahim, saying they laid the solid foundation for India’s parliamentary system.
“Due to the relentless efforts of Vithalbhai Patel, and contributions of members like Motilal Nehru and others, the establishment of an independent Secretariat under the President of the Central Legislative Assembly was a turning point in the history of our parliamentary system.
“It was due to his farsightedness and wisdom that when the Constituent Assembly was drafting the Constitution, the founding fathers took cognizance of the importance of having an independent office of the Presiding Officer. They very thoughtfully and appropriately incorporated Article 98 in our Constitution which provided for the creation of separate Secretariats for both the Houses of our Parliament,” Mukherjee noted.
He also said that all former Speakers starting from G V Mavalankar to Somnath Chatterjee and the present Speaker, Meira Kumar have maintained highest standards of democratic traditions and have made significant contributions in further strengthening parliamentary conventions, processes and procedures. (PTI)
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