Even though President Pranab Mukherjee’s words of advice to the political class to ensure the passage of laws is timely, Article 108 of the Constitution, which deals with joint sittings of Parliament, does not stipulate any limit regarding the number and frequency of joint sittings (“‘ >Joint session no solution to end Rajya Sabha logjam ,” Jan. 20). To conclude that a joint session could be called whenever a Bill does not get through would be based on a narrow reading of Article 108.
The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha appears to be looking out for issues each day in order to stall the functioning of the House. There should be ways and means to explore how there can be healthy debates.
Arulur N. Balasubramanian,
Chennai
There have been a number of incidents obstructing and stalling the passage of important Bills. On many an occasion, there has been no spirit of cooperation, harmony and purpose as both ruling party and Opposition MPs have been adamant and selfish without giving any thought to how the taxpayer’s money is being wasted.
Each tries to avoid finding a solution citing previous cycles of disturbances. The honourable President himself was a parliamentarian not very long ago and should note that the party to which he belonged, the Congress, has hardly functioned with a spirit of cooperation and harmony in the House. The need now is for every political party to think about the aspirations of the people. A parliamentarian must think of himself/herself as a student who attends school regularly, fearing and respecting the school head and the teachers. The season of sermons must end.
J.P. Reddy,
Nalgonda, Telangana
The President’s words, “a noisy minority cannot be allowed to gag a patient majority”, sums up the parliamentary logjam. The number of sittings has shrunk from 677 during the first Lok Sabha session to 357 in the 15th session. Cancellations have become the order of the day, and events no longer newsworthy. We spend crores of rupees on elections and then waste mandays in Parliament. Self-interest and self-concern have become the factors guiding parliamentary business.
A.J. Rangarajan,
Chennai
Very often, the media focus on scenes of pandemonium that prevail in Parliament. The Speaker is often shown to be helpless. Why cannot the rules be modified? For instance, if anyone rushes to the well of the House to protest, he or she must be debarred for the whole session. All members must speak only from their designated seats. Opposition Parties must play their roles creatively. Forms of punishment and of discipline, which would be something new to our parliamentarians, must be considered.
Thomas Edmunds,
Chennai
The electorate has given its mandate to the ruling party to rule the nation for five years and fulfil its promises. Similarly, the Opposition is expected to oppose, expose and tweak the ears of the government whenever it errs. It may sound philosophical, but the fact remains that one hand cannot clap without the other. The ruling party requires the support of the Opposition parties, and vice versa . Respecting the other is the only way out to establish comity and amity for a healthy atmosphere to prevail in Parliament. One wishes that our elected members give credence to the sermons of the President in the interest of the nation.
H.P. Murali,
Bengaluru
Members of the Rajya Sabha must be educated on the purpose for which they are elected through an indirect process. Both Houses now function like Tweedledum and Tweedledee. This was not the intent with which the Rajya Sabha, the equivalent of the House of Lords, was created. Members of the Rajya Sabha are dignified and experienced seniors and they are expected to rise above party politics and serve the nation through effective debates.
Nikhil Balan,
Thiruvananthapuram
