Expressing concern over frequent disruptions of Parliament proceedings, Vice President and Chairman Rajya Sabha Hamid Ansari said on Saturday such acts amounted to holding the House to "ransom." He also said the two Houses of Parliament are equal adding the Upper House was a chamber to check "haste, cool passion and control legislation."
Airing this opinion while addressing an orientation programme for newly elected Rajya Sabha members, he said the House highlights the concerns of the States. The Chairman's remarks came in the backdrop of an ongoing debate about the role and importance of the Upper House in India.
Unlike the Russian Federation, India is a Union of States which is "indestructible," he said. "So under the Union of States, purposes are specified, the intentions of specified. But because it is a Union, the States have certain interests which are not necessarily reflected in the other House of the Parliament.
Therefore it is expected and happens on many occasions that individual states interests are flagged in Rajya Sabha," Ansari said.
Peeved over frequent disruptions, he said disagreement can be conveyed through a brief walk out as storming into the well of the House created bad impression amongst the masses. Disruptions mean losing precious time and also amount to "impinging on the privileges of the other members," the Chairman said.
On reduced duration of Parliament sessions over the years, Ansari said he had shared this with successive Prime Ministers. "Earlier, Parliament used to sit for 100-110 days. There was sufficient time, both for discussion and debate and all other activities. Now the average is 70 days plus or minus. There is a much greater requirement for time management," he said.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha PJ Kurien said proceedings of last couple of years show that the MPs have "failed" to make the Government accountable. Observing that it was the duty of the Parliamentarians to highlight the grievances of the public and make the Government accountable, Kurien said "MPs are failing in doing so."
He urged the new Members to take parliamentary work seriously and for that they need to study the rules and make effective speeches. Quoting the earlier views of the President of India that Parliament performs three 'D' — Discussion, Debate and Decision, Kurien appealed that "we should not add the fourth 'D' — Disruption."
