Speaker to MPs: can146;t milk PSUs

It is Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee8217;s turn to impose a model code of conduct for his members of Parliament. No longer will it be...

It is Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee8217;s turn to impose a model code of conduct for his members of Parliament. No longer will it be hospitality PSU style for MPs. In a new set of guidelines, the Speaker has laid down rules for MPs travelling on tour under different Parliamentary committees 8212; no spouses on tour, no liquor at dinners and no 8216;8216;costly gifts8217;8217; to be accepted.

The Speaker8217;s list of dos and don8217;ts comes in the background of MPs routinely travelling to exotic destinations, staying at five-star hotels, enjoying 8216;8216;cultural shows8217;8217; organised to keep them entertained and picking up expensive gifts when they depart 8212; all, of course, at the PSU8217;s expense.

Now MPs have been warned against taking any 8216;8216;attendant or spouse8217;8217; on such tours unless it is on 8216;8216;medical grounds and with prior permission of the Chairman.8217;8217; Even in such cases, MPs will be required to bear all expenses including spouse8217;s hotel charges. In case companions accompany a member without prior permission, MPs 8216;8216;would stand automatically debarred from undertaking any Committee tour thereafter.8217;8217;

In any case, even when accompanying an MP with prior permission, attendants and spouses have been banned from visiting installations of PSUs or their offices or even at informal discussions with officials.

To instill professionalism in the conduct of Lok Sabha MPs, the guidelines state, 8216;8216;intermediate journeys should be avoided during tours,8217;8217; limiting their time spent in dealing with the task at hand. The guidelines also state that transport provided by 8216;8216;government/PSUs8217;8217; during the tours should be used for Committee work 8216;8216;and not by individual members for distant private visits.8217;8217;

The gudelines are detailed and all inclusive and even include details on conduct ranging from during a tour if a member falls ill and the doctor advises him not to undertake the tour any further, members 8216;8216;should follow the doctor8217;s advice,8217;8217; to Members being advised to maintain 8216;8216;proper dignity and decorum8217;8217; during these tours so that 8216;8216;no criticism is made of the committee in any manner.8217;8217;

Members have also been told not to brief the media except the Chairman of the Committee who is authorised to do so.

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The Speaker8217;s diktat also states that while on tours for Parliamentary Committee or a Sub-Committee or Study Group representing the Parliament, MPs should not accept invitations for 8216;8216;lunch or dinner or any other hospitality that might be extended by any private party.8217;8217; Added to this, at 8216;8216;official8217;8217; dinners and lunches accepted by these Committees, liquor would be a total no-no.

Last year, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had laid down rules for MPs in Rajya Sabha to refrain from accepting expensive gifts from public sectors during such tours and meetings.