நாடாளுமன்றத்தின் இரு அவைகளும் தொடர்ந்து முடக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இது குறித்து பல பதிவுகள் எழுதியுள்ளேன். தினமணி போன்ற ஏடுகளிலும் எனது தலையங்க கட்டுரைகள் பலமுறை வந்துள்ளன. 1985லிருந்து கிட்டத்தட்ட 30 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாக ஒரு ஆரோக்கியமான விவாதங்கள் நாடாளுமன்றத்தில் இல்லாமல் போய்விட்டது. இந்த அவைகளின் உறுப்பினர்களுக்கு ஊதியமும் சலுகைகளும், வசதிகளும் அதிகமாக வழங்கப்பட்டும் தங்களுக்கான பணிகளை செய்யாமல் குழாய் சண்டைகளைப் போல சப்தங்களை போட்டுவிட்டு 10 நிமிடத்தில் அவைகளுக்கு சென்றுவிட்டு திரும்பி விடுகின்றனர். இந்த கூச்சலில் அவைகளும் ஒத்தி வைக்கப்படுகின்றன.
இதை தட்டிக் கேட்கவும் முடியவில்லை. இரு அவைகளின் பணிகளுக்கு ஒரு நிமிடத்திற்கு சராசரியாக ஒவ்வொரு அவைக்கும் மூன்றிலிருந்து நான்கு லட்ச ரூபாய் செலவாகிறது. இது யார் பணம்? மக்களின் வரிப் பணம். இதையெல்லாம் மதிக்காமல் நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்கள் ஆடுகின்ற ஆட்டத்திற்கு என்றைக்கு முடிவு காலம் வருமோ? Most previleged என்றால் MP என்ற அர்த்தத்தோடு செயல்படுகின்றார்களோ என்று தெரியவில்லை.
இதுதான் இந்திய ஜனநாயகமா? It is not democracy, but it bogucracy (bogus)...
இது குறித்து இன்றைய (20.12.2015) டெக்கான் க்ரானிக்கலில் பத்தியாளர் மோகன் குருசாமி அவர்கள் மற்றும் டெல்லியிலிருந்து வெளிவரும் பயோனியர் (1.12.2015) ஏட்டில் பூமானந்தா அவர்கள் எழுதிய பத்திகளும் இந்த பிரச்சினை குறித்தான சில புரிதல்கள் ஏற்படுகின்றன.
PARLIAMENT ISN’T A FISH MARKET
Bhoomananda Tirtha
It is shameful that Parliament, whose primary aim is to promote democracy and good governance, has been marred by repeated demonstrations and adjournments. Parliamentarians must undertake a fresh evaluation of the malady that has struck our system
The first day of Parliament’s Winter Session coincided with the first Constitution Day on November 26. In light of this, can we hope to witness constitutionally-approved deliberations in the House, in an atmosphere of lawfulness and peace?
Even after six decades of independence, Parliament, the citadel of our sovereign, democratic nation, is frequently disrupted due to demonstrations and protests. Consequent stalling of Parliament, which has been a recurring feature of both the Houses, is a major roadblock towards the nation’s development.
The Monsoon Session was a complete washout with the Opposition demanding the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, over their alleged nexus with former IPL chief Lalit Modi. Such stalemate has now become a fait accompli.
From 2009 to 2014, the Lok Sabha lost about 40 per cent of its time. During the 10th Lok Sabha and the 15th Lok Sabha, the total time lost was 2,162 hours. This resulted in a loss of over Rs3,200 crore to the public exchequer. The situation has plunged the nation into deep distress.
In terms of productivity, the 15th Lok Sabha was the worst one in 50 years, as it saw frequent disruptions and witnessed a decline in time spent on legislation and oversight of the Government.
As many as 11 pending Bills and nine new Bills, including the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015, and the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2014, etc were waiting to be passed in the Monsoon Session. Due to the Oppositions demand, no business could be transacted.
It must be understood that Parliament is no place for demonstrations and protests. Members join parliamentary meetings to occupy their seat and conduct serious business. Any attempt by any member to do anything other than this, takes away his right to be there. Lawmakers should behave and not break the law.
Moreover, repeated demonstrations, obstructions and adjournments have projected a negative image of our country to the world. While it is a small set of people that is responsible for the shame, it is the entire nation that is looked down upon. Those responsible people, who ought to make the country adorable, continue to render it infamous.
Also, we must not forget that Parliament is formed by the people’s will, under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, solely for the deliberation of the nation’s affairs and to pass laws for the people so that they can live peacefully as law-abiding citizens. Even a minute of inaction or obstruction in Parliament is unlawful, in contravention to the very purpose for which Parliament is convened.
The Constitution of India has given the protection of immunity to our Members of Parliament to ensure the smooth functioning of the House, and not to disrupt it. To indulge in disturbing acts, by word or otherwise, under this very immunity, is an insult to the framers and the spirit of the Constitution. It cannot be condoned under any pretext.
The Constitution does not give freedom to stall Parliament. Articles 105 (3), 118 and 122 (1) do not provide immunity to members for stalling the proceedings of either House, by barging into the well of the House or obstructing other members in any manner from doing their duty. Stalling of Parliament cannot, by any stretch of imagination, be regarded as legal. It virtually causes the death of the very institution.
In the UK and the US, stalling of Parliament is not acceptable. In the US, members of Congress enjoy parliamentary privilege, including freedom from arrest in all cases except for treason, felony and ‘breach of peace’. But, obstructing the work of Congress is a crime, known as ‘contempt of Congress’. The individuals concerned are pursued as in any normal criminal case, and if found guilty, can be imprisoned up to one year. Thus, there is clear punishment for breach of peace caused within Parliament. Unfortunately, the Ethics Committee, constituted by the two Houses of Parliament here, has failed to contain unruly behaviour, resulting in frequent disruptions.
A public interest litigation filed by the Foundation for Restoration of National Values, to ensure uninterrupted functioning of Parliament, was turned down by the Supreme Court. It had said, “Judiciary cannot monitor the business of the legislature which lay in the hands of the Speaker, and any attempt to do so would lead to crossing the ‘Lakshman Rekha’.”
For any crisis within the boundaries of the country that is not resolved, but caused by the Executive or Parliament, who else except the Supreme Court can be a refuge for the people?
Nonetheless, the court turned down the plea for justice and succour, raising a big question as to where else can the people turn for redress? Incidentally, the apex court soon denounced the MPs’ ‘intelligence’, by striking down the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill. It is a grave dichotomy for the Supreme Court to have disregarded Parliament’s prudence with such grave contrast!
Constitutionally, it is an indisputable fact that no member has the right to stall Parliament. Members breaking law are admittedly giving tacit permission and encouragement for people to indulge in graver violations. It is high time that parliamentarians, who are elected by the people of India, undertake a fresh evaluation of the malady that has struck our system.
Meanwhile the people, democratic lords of the elected or nominated members, have to gird up their loins and express their views on Parliament stalling, so that their collective expression is heeded.
We just have three options: First, seek intervention of the President, as he is the ‘Head of Parliament’. Second, ask citizen to rise on a mammoth scale. Democracy survives only with the eternal vigil from people. Our Constitution was given by and to the people. Parliament came into existence only later. Vigil warrants people to register their timely demand and protest. Only then, the Executive and Parliament can take note of it and provide necessary redress and safeguard. Third, wait until such time as we can again move the Supreme Court, who will hopefully feel compelled and empowered to address our problems.
(The writer is a spiritual leader, interested in issues related to national values)
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