House gets a new panel to tackle babus’ ‘contempt’

A New panel is set to ensure that members of Parliament command the respect they believe they deserve

A New panel is set to ensure that members of Parliament command the respect they believe they deserve. What was once called simply the Committee on Privileges gets an extended,no-nonsense nomenclature as the Committee on Violation of Protocol Norms and Contemptuous Behaviour of Government Officers with Members of the Lok Sabha.

It will examine every complaint referred to it by the Lok Sabha Speaker relating to violation of protocol norms laid down from time to time regarding official dealings with MPs,including discourteous behavior by government servants towards them.

The panel will follow the same procedure as followed by the Committee on Privileges regarding examination of complaints and conducting an inquiry. Similarly,the House would deal with the reports of the new panel as it did with the reports of the Committee of Privileges.

Story continues below this ad

To be headed by Congress member from Bhilwara Girija Vyas,the new body will include Sharad Yadav (Janata Dal-U); T R Baalu (DMK); Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress); Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP); A H Khan Choudhury,K Jayaprakash Hegde,Sai Prathap Annayyagari and M Krishnaswamy (all Congress); Yashwant Sinha,Ananth Kumar and Shahnawaz Hussain (all BJP); P Karunakaran (CPM); Prem Das Rai (Sikkim Democratic Front); and Dharmendra Yadav (Samajwadi Party).

MPs have been known to approach the Committee on Privileges with all demands ranging from entitlement to red beacon lights atop their vehicles and a status equal to chief justices of high courts to complaints about being ignored at government functions. Recently,they sought special treatment at airports and in-flight as well as sought a protocol for them aboard the Delhi Metro which would include staff to receive them and to facilitate their movement.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram