Parties support Mahajan for stricter rules, but Cong differs

CURRENTLY HOUSE RULES PROVIDE FOR NAMING A MEMBER FOR UNRULY BEHAVIOUR. FOR SUSPENSION A MOTION HAS TO BE MOVED.

NEWDELHI: Big parties barring the Congress Friday supported Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in her efforts to curb disruptions in the House and authorised her to formulate necessary steps. A proposal has been discussed to immediately suspend a member if he or she rushes to the Well, at least three leaders present in the meeting of the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha, told HT.

Currently, the House rules provide for naming a member for unruly behavior. And for suspension, a motion has to be moved in the House for its approval. The ongoing winter session of Parliament has been marred by frequent disruptions. According to the PRS Legislative Research, the productivity or utilisation of the allotted time stands as low as 11% in Lok Sabha and 5% in Rajya Sabha. if the trend of disruption contin- ues, the winter session might end up as one of the least performing sessions of this Lok Sabha. Disturbed about the ongoing blockades in Lok Sabha, Mahajan on Thursday decided to call a meeting of the Rules Committee.

According to leaders present in the meeting, Parliamentary affairs minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that it’s better try to create a consensus around the proposal for automatic suspension and requested Mahajan to take the idea forward and talk to other parties as well.congress leader Shashi Tharoor was not present. But party’s floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge sent a note that said the principal Opposi- tion party thinks that the issue of forming stricter rules should be left to the next Lok Sabha. Kharge argued that the 16th Lok Sabha is in its fag end with just another session left before the election. Senior BJP leader Nishikant Dubey maintained that the changes in the House Rules should take place during the ongoing session itself. He, however, requested Mahajan to consider suspension for just one day of Instead of five days.

Biju Janata Dal leader Bhartruhari Mahtab disagreed with Dubey and demanded that when disease become chronic, high dose of medicine is required, referring to the high levels of disruptions. He supported suspension for unruly MPS for 5 days. Mahtab also pointed out that the Chhattisgarh Assmebly already has such a rule in place .

Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Ray also supported the move and said that the new rule should be implemented during the winter session.