National
New rule for MPs comes into effect
By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, DEC 6. Members of Parliament now run the risk of being suspended ``automatically'' if they come into the well of the House to protest or make a point.
Under the new amended rules - the Rules Committee report with the amended Rule 374-A(1) was tabled in the Lok Sabha on November 28 - a member who goes into the well and is named by the Speaker stands automatically suspended for the next five sittings of the House or the remainder of the session if fewer than five sittings are left. The MP will have to immediately leave the House once named by the Speaker. The suspension could be terminated only if a motion recommending this is moved and approved by the House.
In fact, recently members have shouted and gesticulated, prevented the House from functioning and have walked out in protest. But they have refrained from entering the well. It seems that the Speaker, Mr G.M.C. Balayogi, may be gearing up to make the shouting also a thing of the past.
The new rules have empowered Mr. Balayogi to suspend a member if he wilfully obstructs business, shouts slogans refuses to maintain decorum.
During the last monsoon session, Mr. Balayogi called a meeting of party leaders to discuss the growing lack of discipline exhibited by MPs, both the Opposition and the treasury benches. It was at this meeting that a consensus was arrived at in favour of ``automatic suspension'' of MPs if they enter the well - ``automatic'' means that the Chair does not enjoy any discretion in the matter.
Later, the Conference of Presiding Officers, Chief Ministers, Leaders of Opposition and Whips of parties adopted a resolution on November 25 recommending that the rules be amended to incorporate automatic suspension. That was done by the rules committee and its report was then tabled in the Lok Sabha. The report was adopted by the House yesterday.
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