Flagging concerns over repeated disruptions and “unwillingness” for discussions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday appealed to members to restore the dignity and decorum in the Rajya Sabha.
Initiating the debate in the House on the completion of 60 years of the first sitting of Parliament, at the same time he said the history of the functioning of the House over the last 60 years proves that the trust reposed in it by the founding fathers of the Constitution has been substantially fulfilled.
“That is not to say that we should not reflect with concern on the repeated disruptions of proceedings and a regrettable unwillingness, on occasion, to engage in informed discussion,” the Prime Minister noted.
He hoped that on this momentous occasion of the completion of 60 years of the functioning of the House members “can write a new chapter and restore to it the sense of dignity and decorum that is expected of a House of Elders.”
Expressing disagreement with the general impression that Rajya Sabha cannot make or unmake governments and, therefore, it is a superfluous body, Dr. Singh said there are functions, which a revising chamber can fulfil fruitfully.
Quoting philosopher-statesman S. Radhakrishnan, he said, “Parliament is not only a legislative but a deliberative body. So far as its deliberative functions are concerned, it will be open to us to make very valuable contributions, and it will depend on our work whether we justify this two-chamber system, which is now an integral part of our Constitution.
“So it is a test to which we are submitted. We are for the first time starting under the parliamentary system, with a second chamber in the Centre and we should try to do everything in our power to justify to the public of this country that a second chamber is essential to prevent hasty legislation,” Dr. Singh said.
The Prime Minister said, “There is no doubt that one reason for India’s growing global stature in the world is the country’s unflinching commitment to pursuing a democratic path to achieving our social and economic salvation.
“It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to respect the great institutions of our democracy and respect the spirit of what is expected from the elected representatives,” he said.
The Prime Minister also chose the occasion to emphasise the increasing participation of people in the institutions of parliamentary democracy.
“The resilience of our pluralistic democracy is the proudest achievement of the Indian State and Indian people. The people of India have repeatedly and regularly reposed their faith in the institutions of parliamentary democracy. “In recent years, they are making their voice heard more forcefully by voting in increasing numbers in parliamentary, State Assembly and panchayat elections,” he said.
Dr. Singh said Rajya Sabha is an institution, whose deliberations over the years have enriched our parliamentary democracy, nurtured the strength of the nation’s federal polity and served as a bulwark against the transient impulses of the moment.
“As a House of Elders we are called upon to reflect and guide, with patience and sobriety, on the issues and challenges our nation faces. This House brings balance and sincerity to the deliberations of the day and the legislation at hand.
“Through thoughtful interventions enriched by experience, intellect and a spirit of national bonding, members of the Upper House have contributed to forging a national consensus on critical issues enabling us to face the challenges of the present and the future as a united nation,” the Prime Minister said.
Dr. Singh said, “Rajya Sabha has a unique position in our Republic, as it is both a Council of States and a House of Elders. “As a Council of States it provides a unique platform for every region of our vast and diverse country to have its voice heard at the highest forum of our democracy,” he said.
He recalled that Rajya Sabha considered and passed historic legislations institutionalising land reforms through the first constitutional amendment, abolishing privy purses and nationalising banks.
“More recently, legislations passed by this House have expanded the entitlements of our people to education, information and minimum employment. “I have been a proud member of this august House for the past 21 years. I have personally witnessed and participated in some very enriching and lively debates in this august House.
This House has always been a repository of wisdom that has proved invaluable to the functioning of our parliamentary democracy,” the Prime Minister said.
Keywords: Parliament 60th anniversary, Lok Sabha
NDA faced the same culture. Congress did the same crime. PM do not represent people in Parliament but only to dynasty.Constitution of India has to be modified as to elect the CM, PM, President direct and through the legislatures.
I can't agree more with the prime minister when he calls for restoring dignity and decorum in the Upper House. The quality of discussion and debate in the parliament has degraded over time. Shouting, protesting, disruption, adjournment they all have become order of the day. Scope for civilized has shrunk to a disappointing level. It is high time to reverse this vicious trend and restore the sanctity of the House.
The decorum and dignity of the Parliament can be restored only if people of stature and dignity represent the people.The present parliament is full of people against whom criminal charges have been framed but thanks to the inept CBI and slow judicial system these charges drag on and on without resolution. Because of this lacuna these unworthy representatives sit in the Parliament and decide the fate of the country.Does anybody seriously think that an efficient and nationalistic Govt can function with such people in the chairs? When a PM,who may be personally honest, allows dishonesty to flourish around him how can anybody respect the body he represents and take him seriously?
The Honorable PM's concern is very valid. At the same time, as the head of the council of ministers and a senior member of the ruling alliance's largest partner Congress, he also needs to introspect the falling standards of thought, speech and actions of his colleagues. In particular, the kind of attitude worn on the sleeves repeatedly by his colleagues when facing criticism from civil society for many acts of commission and omission, does not inspire any confidence in democracy, freedom of expression and dissent. Some humility, accepting shortcomings and genuine effort to reach out to all sections of society not just political parties in Parliament will go a long way to restore some glory of institutions like Parliament. Will he and his party make an effort or throw this back at the opposition parties and public?
India’s unflinching commitment to parliamentary democracy is the
reason behind the nation’s growing global stature - let us also pray
the parliamentarians in their infinite wisdom will find within
themselves a will to draft laws to keep this august assembly from ever
being tread again by the undeserving and to have the courage to
investigate and remove from the membership as and when it becomes
public and evident that any of them have compromised its stature.
It is the least that is expected of them as parliamentarians are law
makers of the nation and within the parliament they only seem
accountable to themselves and not the nation or its peoples who put
them there (the impression they leave in peoples' mind offers plenty
of room for improvement in their service levels).
It is also the least they can do for preserving our status as a
parliamentary democracy respected and loved by our own people first
for their integrity and honesty and not just for their political
acumen and popular
The kind democracy being practised in India seems to be a real problem. Uneducated, uncivilised and corrupt political class, bureacracy and the society seem to be the norms of current day. There have been many cases where the powerful people have committed grave crimes and gone scotfree. Nobody is ashamed of any immoral or unethical acts. See how goons ransacked the office of NCERT advisor and spate of cases involving rich and powerful people. Look at the infrastructure of the country and the pathetic state of living conditions of the poor.
Is this society that our democracy is trying create?
Welcome to Indian democracy.
In India, it is a useless democracy and it should be wiped out,so that India bexomes super-power. Dr Manmohan Singh is moving around the world and he should know the fact.It is enough now we have to act a new kind of democracy.
What ever you may say unleess you bring substantial reforms in the election process by eliminating the money power the contribution of money by the private sector to the coffers of the political parties there will be no demcracy During the paset ten years the process has been vitiated b first by the freebies to the voters, then the Thirumangalam formula
Theres no doubt that the roots of democarcy in India are very deep. The path that India has embarked , has always encorporated the democartic values of the country. However, off late, it has been seen that there has been some concerted effort from different directions have tried to undermine the democartic set-up of this nation. Theres no doubt that some of the efforts were having some good intent in its spirit, but they, in their ordeal have often crossed the line and spoke in undemocartic fashion, often causing mess.
The most important thing that we need to understand is, that the democratic set-up is the most valued and important structure which we need to uphold and respect. If there is any thing which is done in the name of democcracy which transgress its spirit, there is supreme court .
The poor people of India expects an effective time bound Planning to create full 100% employment (Right to Employment)to all educated youths specifically unemployed professional graduates etc. in line with RTI free from corruption. The people expects from our MPs to take Resolution for useful debate without individual personal attack and to contribute innovative ideas to develop our country to mark the 60th Year of Indian Parliament.
Oh ho!!! People of India already suffering from the consequences of sham democracy, state sponsored wide spread corruption, everyday a new multi-million dollar scams by politicians and their kith and kins, a dysfunction and corrupt justice system and Number of poor people living under $1.25 a day has increased from 421 million in 1981 to 456 million in 2005 (ref World Bank report) are all visible evidences of the credit given by the successive govt's to those who showed faith the so called democracy.
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