House panel moots code of conduct for MPs

Deo, who also heads the privileges committee, made a recommendation against codification of parliamentary privileges in a separate report presented in the House today. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee placed on record his appreciation of the work done by Deo and his colleagues and expressed the hope that 8220;members read them8221;.

Laying stress on ethical principles of accountability, honesty, integrity, objectivity and public interest, the committee said MPs should not involve in 8220;misuse, abuse of the powers, privileges, immunities, rights of facilities enjoyed by them.8221; They were called upon to avoid conflict between their private interest and public interest. 8220;A member shall not vote on a question in the House of a committee of the House, in which he has a direct, pecuniary or personal interest,8221; it said.

In another report on 8220;request from courts of law and investigating agencies for documents pertaining to proceedings of House8221;, the privileges committee suggested that a set procedure be followed for making available documents relating to proceedings of the House or any committee of the House. It said the government may bring forward an amendment to the Right to Information Act so that authorities seeking information have to depend on the jurisdiction of the House.

The committee rejected the suggestion for a codification of parliamentary privileges and observed that there has not been any misuse of privileges 8220;as erroneously believed in some quarters.8221;