Context

Panel to frame code of conduct for MLAs, MPs in 2 months

About

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has formed a committee of Speakers of state legislative bodies to frame a code of conduct over the next two months.
• Lawmakers will soon have to adhere to a code of conduct inside legislatures and Parliament.
• Code of conduct for legislators and parliamentarians is needed that would help in running our Houses more efficiently.
• The code of conduct should include stipulations that the members would not enter the well of the house, nor resort to sloganeering and disruptions or any other unruly behavior such as tearing papers and throwing them in the House.
• A democracy is not a democracy without the voice of opposition. But at the same time sloganeering and entering the well is not an expression of opposition. It is important to maintain decorum in the House.
• A need is felt to improve use of technology and overall efficiency in our legislatures.
• Germany, USA, UK, Canada, Pakistan has a Code of Conduct for members of the Senate.

Key recommendations:

• Prohibiting MPs from misusing the power and immunities they get.
• MP should avoid conflict between a private and a public interest.
• No parliamentarian should be allowed to vote on those questions in the House, in which he has a vested interest.
• Amend the Constitution to ensure a minimum of 110 days of sitting in a legislature having more than 100 members, and 90-50 days of sitting in Houses with less than 100 members depending on the size of the State involved.
• The filing by legislators of a statement of income, assets and liabilities, and an indication of changes in these figures over time.
• Punishment of members by admonition, reprimand, censure or withdrawal from the House in case of violations or breach of the code of conduct.
• Automatic suspension from the House of any member involved in offences of grave misconduct.