Steps needed to check 'motivated' interruptions: LS Speaker

As Parliament gears up for Budget session, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today said corrective measures have to be taken to check "motivated" interruptions of proceedings in the House.
"Frequent disruption of proceedings in legislatures tend to negate the very credibility of the representative bodies and elected representatives," she said, addressing the 5th India Region Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference here.
"At times, corrective measures or action have to be taken to check motivated interruptions of proceedings in the House. Positive and occasional interruptions do have a space if they are broadly within the settled norms," she said.
The two-day conference ended today.

She said legislators now have a multifarious roles to perform and they need to live up to the present day expectations of the people whom they represent.
The Speaker said legislators need to appreciate that at a core level, they represent people of the entire country. Hence, they should strive for the overall public good alongside fulfilling obligations to their constituents.

"Therefore, the legislators need a holistic orientation to make them aware their responsibilities."
The event, which had 'Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy' as its theme, saw participation from 22 states.
Addressing delegates today, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the deteriorating situation with regards to functioning of legislative bodies can be attributed to reducing numbers of sittings, unruly scenes and thin attendance.

He felt that good governance primarily revolves around winning the trust of the people through effective implementation of welfare and developmental schemes and curtailing corruption.