As Parliament saw another day of disruptions and trading of accusations, a registered body with prominent citizens on its advisory board moved the Supreme Court on Wednesday asking whether any guidelines can be laid down to ensure that Parliament discharges its duties without falling into “disrepute and ridicule” at the cost of public money.
The petition filed by Foundation for Restoration of National Values, with the likes of Ratan Tata and E. Sreedharan on its advisory board, said it is time judiciary intervened to ensure that “the public at large and the exchequer are not adversely affected on account of parliamentary proceedings being unreasonably and unjustifiably obstructed, stalled and disrupted by its constituents.”
The petition pointed out that the monsoon session, convened from July 21 to August 13, 2015, has 11 legislative bills for consideration and the introduction of nine new bills, including Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Second Amendment) Bill 2015 and the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Goods & Services Tax (GST) Bill 2014, among others.
“However, Parliament has been facing disruptions and adjournments at the behest of some of the Opposition parties since July 22. Parliament [from 21 July to 13 August], has remained paralysed and largely dysfunctional by sustained disruptions, unruly protests and abstinence by its elected constituents,” it said.
