Birla urges parties to devise internal code for members
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 5)
| Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity |
| Context |
| ● Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed concern over the decline in the number of sittings and the decorum of legislatures during the 85th All India Presiding Officers Conference in Patna.
● He urged political parties to establish an internal code of conduct for legislators to maintain dignity, strengthen Parliament, and encourage meaningful discussions. |
Need for Internal Code of Conduct:
- Ensures orderly proceedings and upholds the decorum of the House, maintaining a professional environment for legislative work.
- Prevents disruptive behavior and encourages meaningful debates, thus improving the quality of discussions.
- Strengthens democratic values by ensuring that elected representatives respect constitutional and parliamentary traditions.
Benefits:
- A well-implemented code of conduct promotes constructive dialogue and reduces conflicts during sessions.
- It provides clarity on acceptable behavior, thereby preventing unruly incidents and frequent adjournments.
- The House remains focused on legislative work, improving the efficiency and productivity of sessions.
- Encourages legislators to fulfill their duties responsibly and respect the roles and opinions of other members.
- A code of conduct can lead to enhanced cooperation across party lines, fostering a more collaborative approach to governance.
Challenges:
- Political parties may face difficulty in implementing due to differing political ideologies and agendas.
- Resistance from members who might view the code as limiting their freedom of expression or political strategy.
- Ensuring compliance with the code across a diverse group of legislators from various backgrounds and states.
- Overcoming entrenched partisan behavior and the reluctance to adopt reforms.
Way Forward:
- Political parties must engage in constructive dialogue to devise a code of conduct that aligns with democratic principles and respects constitutional values.
- Empowering presiding officers to enforce the code and ensuring accountability.
- Promoting training and awareness programs for legislators about the importance of maintaining decorum.
| Practice Question: Examine the need for an internal code of conduct for legislators in the Indian Parliament. What are the potential benefits and challenges of implementing such a code, and how can it strengthen democratic functioning? (250 Words /15 marks) |
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