With disruptions in the last Lok Sabha apparently weighing heavily on her mind, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today cautioned lawmakers that parliamentary institutions will come into disrepute if they failed to observe decorum insided the House.
"If parliamentary decorum is not maintained inside the House and if the members themselves persist in violating the laws governing their conduct, it may bring the parliamentary institutions into disrepute", Mahajan said inaugurating an orientation programme for first-time MPs.
The two-day exercise is significant given the fact that the 16th Lok Sabha, which came into existence over a month back, has 315 first-time members out of the 543-member House.
The last Lok Sabha had witnessed several disruptions and at least one full session suffered a washout following opposition uproar over the 2G spectrum scam issue and its demand for a JPC in the matter.
She emphasizd that respect and effectiveness of parliament depends, to a great extent, upon the conduct of its members. "It is in the interest of the members and their constituencies that they realize their responsibility in maintaining discipline and decorum in the House,"she said.
The Speaker said it is "very sad" when members go on speaking beyond their allotted time despite repeated reminders by the Presiding Officers. Needless to say that it creates a negative impression especially when the House proceedings are being telecast live besides eating into other members' time, she said.
Regular attendance in the House and punctuality by themselves contribute greatly to making them aware of a lot of important things and will subsequently help them participate in the business of the House knowledgeably.
Among the prominent speakers at the Programme are Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananthkumar, former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, MP, Bhartruhari Mahatab, MP and former Union Minister Ram Naik.
