The Weekend Leader - Need rules to deter MPs from storming well: Speaker

Need rules to deter MPs from storming well: Speaker

Panaji

08-November-2019

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday called for a uniform set of legislative regulations and protocols to oversee the functioning of all state assemblies and the Lok Sabha, while also underlining the need to take a re-look at the trend of lawmakers storming into the well of the House and disturbing proceedings.

Birla, who was in Goa to address lawmakers in the coastal state on the 'Role of Parliament in the Doctrine of Separation of Powers: Enhancing Transparency and Accountability', also said, that he was concerned about the shrinking duration of assembly sessions in some states, adding that the state assemblies should be convened for at least 60 days a year.

Birla also said that he had appointed three committees headed by Speakers of various state assemblies, which were looking into several aspects of creating a uniform set of rules for functioning of legislative forums in the country.

The committees are likely to submit their report to the Lok Sabha Speaker's office by the end of the month.

"There should be arguments and discussions, but there should be some rules or protocol about entering the well. Efforts should be made towards that. The House should function," Birla said.

"The reduction in functioning days of state assemblies is also a matter of worry. For this, we will also speak to Chief Ministers of states too, to ensure that assemblies are in session for more days, so that there could be more constructive debate... Some state assemblies have very short sessions. State assemblies should be in session for a minimum of 60 days at least. It is a matter of worry that duration of state assemblies is shrinking continuously," Birla also said.

The Lok Sabha Speaker further underlined the need for amendment of the business rules of state assemblies and the Lok Sabha to evolve a uniformity in terms of rules and protocol.

"We have formed a committee of Speakers of the state assemblies and the committee is discussing. During the next session, we will finalise it and we will put the new procedure in place in Parliament. We will also try to pass it other Houses... There should be a common set of rules and procedure. Functioning should be common," Birla said.IANS 



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