RS MPs will now have to come clean

Singh, who was appointed by Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on September 8, plans to hold the first meeting of the Committee next week to frame rules of the Code of Conduct and ‘Register of Members’ Interests.’

Under the new framework, a Rajya Sabha member, who has a personal or financial interest in a matter being considered by the Rajya Sabha or a committee, will not be allowed to participate in any debate on the issue until he declares his interest.This will be apart from the declaration of interests recorded in the register.

In case of voting on a motion in the House, the vote of a member can be challenged on the ground that he or she has a personal, monetary or direct interest in the matter. The new rules empower the Chairman of Rajya Sabha to decide whether the vote of the member will be allowed or not.

The declaration of interests also has a provision that allows any person to make a complaint to the Ethics Committee about code of conduct violations or incorrect information filed. In case a member is found guilty, the Committee can censure or suspend the MP or impose any other sanction.

While Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have informal ethics committees since 1997 and 2000 respectively, it is for the first time that an Ethics Committee has been notified.

Besides, the two Houses have also framed rules, derived from Section 75 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, that makes it mandatory for all MPs to declare their movable and immovable properties within 90 days and make them available for public scrutiny on request.