New Delhi: Acting on Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh`s complaint about MPs lobbying for projects in which they have vested interests, Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari on Thursday referred the issue to the Ethics Committee.
Ramesh had yesterday written to the Presiding Officers of both Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in this regard.
Ramesh had complained to them about alleged violation of norms by MPs approaching him with matters of companies they are running or associated with and raising issues related to projects that do not fall in their constituencies.
He also urged them to dissuade MPs from meeting officials directly, saying such meetings were often used to put pressure on the ministry.
"This is a blatant violation of norms. I have tried to discourage this but have not entirely succeeded," he said.
Ramesh also said he also found objectionable MPs approaching him and pleading for or against projects that are neither in their state nor in their constituency.
"I find this also objectionable, especially when the same letter is signed by MPs from different states," he said.
The Minister said he also received requests regarding projects that are either in their state or constituency.
PTI
