Shimla: Disruptions of House proceedings have no role in a parliamentary democracy, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Friday as he appealed to leaders across political parties to “debate, discuss, and dissent,” but not disrupt transaction of legislative business.
Addressing the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations, President Mukherjee said “he was sad and anxious over disruptions to Parliament and state legislatures.”
He reminded elected representatives that they had got their job thanks to citizens who voted them in and that it was “unfair to the people if law-makers don’t discharge their responsibility.”
The President’s remarks come close on the heels of a washout Budget session of Parliament. Repeated disruptions over a slew of issues – the coal scam, Chinese incursions, JPC draft report on the 2G scam – ensured not much law-making took place.
Two of the government’s flagship Bills, the Food Security Bill and the Land Acquisition Bill, were tabled but could not be discussed or voted upon. Both Houses were adjourned two days before the scheduled end to the session.
The cardinal principle of effective functioning of a Parliamentary system, the President said, “is that majority would rule and minority would oppose, expose and if possible, depose. But this should be done within the framework of rules framed by Legislatures themselves.”
He requested leaders of political parties to discuss and find a solution to this problem and expressed confidence that “the Indian political system is capable of finding a solution.” (Agencies)