President Pranab calls for dissent,debate but no disruptions House

Addressing members of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly as part of its golden jubilee celebrations,the President said he was “sad and anxious” about disruption of Parliament and Assemblies and reminded the elected representatives about “how they go begging for votes but never perform their job (of debates,dissent and decisions) after getting the votes”.

“There could be divergence of opinion and dissidence. It’s an accepted thing in the democratic system. The cardinal principle of effective functioning of a parliamentary system is that majority will rule and minority opposes,exposes and,if possible,even disposes,” he said and laid stress on reaching decisions,which is the legislature’s task.

The President also expressed concern over the time being devoted for discussing financial matters,law making and other legislative business and pointed out that during the first three Lok Sabhas from 1952 to 1967,majority of time was devoted to these crucial matters but now the time for debating these issues has shrunk to 30-35 per cent.

Noting that MPs and MLAs do not have time to scrutinise the expenditure,discuss the demands for grants and in detail the finance bill,Mukherjee asked,“Who else will do (it)?. People have elected us to discharge our duties and responsibilities. If I do not discharge the responsibilities,it does not speak well.”

The President asked leaders and the political establishment “to ponder over the disruptions and find a solution”. Mukherjee,who is on a three-day visit to the state,said that he had great belief,faith and ingenuity in Indian political system and hoped that “we will be able to find a solution.”

Observing that the administrative system has become very complex,the President said the legislature must make the executive accountable for implementing the decision,policies and programmes decided by legislatures after due deliberations.

“The legislature is the master of the executive,” he said,exhorting the legislators to participate in the House discussions.

The Himachal Assembly came in for praise from the President who said it was one state legislature which does not witness disruptions and transacts regular sittings. There have been 356 sittings of the House in the past 10 years.

Earlier,welcoming the President,Assembly Speaker BBL Butail termed it a historic moment for the Vidhan Sabha. He traced the history of the Himachal Assembly,and also its heritage building. “It was this House,which passed a historic resolution moved by Moti Lal Nehru and seconded by Lala Lajpat Rai in 1925 to give right to vote to Indian women,” he said.

Later,this House also passed many progressive and socio-economic laws such as Panchayati Raj Act 1951,Abolition of Big landed Estates and Land Reforms Act 1953,HP Compulsory primary Education Act,Land Ceiling Act,HP Lokayukta Act and a pioneering legislation relating to compulsory Maintenance of Parents law. Upto 2013,a total of 1,117 legislations were passed by the assembly,Speaker said.