LS Speaker calls meeting to check disruptions

Concerned over frequent disruptions of the House, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee will convene a meeting of all political parties tomorrow to discuss various proposals, including a "no work, no pay" provision, to rein in unruly members.

Under existing provisions, MPs get Rs 1,000 a day as sitting allowance once they sign the daily register. Even on days when proceedings of the House are disrupted, the MPs can sign the register and claim the allowance.

Following the frequent disruptions of Parliament, Chatterjee has been critical of members not behaving according to the book. He has reminded the MPs that they are part of a great institution and it is their duty to make it proud.

The "no work, no pay" proposal was deliberated in June at a meeting of a panel of 10 senior members who preside over the Lok Sabha in the absence of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Chatterjee recently invoked Rule 373 to order MP P C Thomas to leave the House for indiscipline. Thomas had insisted on a statement from the government on an issue despite the Speaker's repeated assurances that a statement would be made later.