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Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service
Lucknow, January 31
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today advised speakers and presiding officers of various state legislatures to rise above party lines so that representatives across political parties can express faith in them.
Inaugurating the 77th conference of presiding officers of legislative bodies, Mahajan said once they occupy their chairs speakers should keep aside their own emotional issues and have the aptitude to carry everyone together.
Speaking in the present context where different political parties often rule in the Centre and the state, she said that if development was projected as the key issue things will fall into place and the federal system would receive a boost.
Expressing unease over the growing tendency of elected representatives to barge into the well of the house and create disruptions, the Lok Sabha Speaker reminded the presiding officers of a rule under which a member would be automatically suspended if he or she entered the well without the speakers needing to take any specific action.
Asking the presiding officers present in the conference to discuss the crucial clause, Mahajan said growing disorderly behaviour was a matter of grave concern. However, she avoided commenting on the unruly and often violent behaviour of members of some state assemblies, including Uttar Pradesh.
Calling upon the legislatures to focus on development, she said, “People are becoming increasingly aware of what happens in Parliament and state legislatures and they even ask questions. The job of the legislature at all levels is to discuss good rules, good laws and good projects and ensure that work proceeds unhampered.”
She urged the presiding officers to move towards the greening of legislatures by promoting paperless work. She also called upon them to recognize the performance of good elected representatives and felicitate them from time to time. The two-day conference is being attended by Speakers and presiding officers of 33 state assemblies.
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