New Delhi: Ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Friday put the onus of its smooth functioning on all members while voicing concern over frequent disruptions and passage of bills without debate.
"The House (Lok Sabha) comprises of 545 members. It can be run only with the cooperation of all members. Even if two members disrupt the House it has to be adjourned. Running the House is my responsibility as well as the responsibility of the members," she told.
The month-long Monsoon Session starts on August five.
The current Lok Sabha has functioned for only 72 per cent of the allocated time while this figure was 87 per cent in the last Lok Sabha and 91 per cent in the 13th Lok Sabha.
Kumar welcomed the Supreme Court verdict striking down a provision in the
Representation of People Act under which an MP or MLA could contest an election even if he has been convicted in a criminal case but his appeal is pending in a higher court. "I welcome the court`s sentiments," she said.
Almost the whole of the second half of the Budget Session was wasted due to disruptions and the Question Hour could not be held even on a single day. Only the constitutionally mandatory financial business could be transacted.
Underlining the importance of smooth functioning of the House, especially the Question Hour, Kumar said, "Smooth functioning of the House is a parliamentary and democratic duty of the members which they should follow. This is their responsibility and they are also answerable for it."
Agreeing that when the House does not function the hard- earned money of the tax payers goes down the drain, she said, "This Parliament has been built so that representatives of the people can come here and place the viewpoint of the people. Also to discuss the national and international issues. But if the session is disrupted this purpose for which the people elected these members is not served."
Regretting the lack of seriousness among members, the Speaker said it is not easy to win elections and those who have been chosen by the people were not elected to disrupt Parliament.
PTI
