Friday, 19 December
2014
An aam
aadmi (common man) can now approach the Speaker and
complaint against a Lok Sabha MP for his/her unruly behaviour.
How
has this come about?
In its
report, Chairperson of the Committee on Ethics, veteran BJP leader LK Advani, has recommended
incorporating new rules in the 'Rules and Procedure and Conduct of Business Book' of the Lower House. These
include allowing the committee to take up suo motto cases related to ethics,
including matters of unethical conduct by an MP or his parliamentary conduct.
Significantly, it also recommended that a common man can approach the Speaker
complaining against the behaviour of an MP..
Any
conditions?
Plenty.
The complainant has to declare the
identity and submit supporting evidence, documentary or otherwise, to
substantiate his/her allegations. S/he will also have to submit facts in an
affidavit to ensure the complaint is not false, frivolous or vexatious and has
been made in good faith.
What
if it is an MP complaining?
In
case of an MP complaining against another law maker, the identity of the
complainant would be kept secret if a request to that effect is made. And an MP
would also not require an affidavit. However, a complaint based on
unsubstantiated media reports shall not be entertained. Further, the Committee
of Ethics will also not take up any matter that is sub-judice.
Seeks
permanent status
The
14-member committee headed by Advani has also recommended making the committee
a permanent body. "The committee is of the considered view that even today
the Committee on Ethics, continues to be an ad-hoc committee of the House.
There is need that rules regarding constitution of the committee, its functions
etc, be incorporated into the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business Rules
of Lok Sabha. This would set right the prevailing anomaly of referring to the
ethics committee as an ad-hoc committee merely for want of necessary provisions
regarding Committee on Ethics in Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in
Lok Sabha," the report said.
//copy// DNA