Speaker Om Birla made a strong statement on Monday regarding parliamentary conduct. He asserted that action becomes mandatory when any Member of Parliament violates the dignity of the House.
Vaping Incident Under Scrutiny
Birla specifically hinted at possible proceedings against a Trinamool Congress member. This MP faces accusations of vaping inside the Lok Sabha during the last session.
The Speaker clarified that the investigation into this complaint is nearly complete. BJP MP Anurag Thakur had filed the complaint, though the opposition MP in question was not named publicly.
Historical Precedents for Misconduct
Birla recalled that parliamentarians have faced severe consequences for misconduct in the past. In some instances, members have even been stripped of their membership.
However, he insisted the final decision rests with the Lok Sabha itself. The House acts after receiving recommendations from the relevant parliamentary committee. The Speaker emphasized it is not his personal decision to make.
Budget Presentation Confirmed
In other significant announcements, Birla confirmed that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1. This will be her ninth consecutive budget presentation.
While the government had previously indicated it would follow the convention, Birla's statement serves as the first official confirmation of the date.
Parliamentarians' Role Clarified
The Speaker also shared his perspective on the role of MPs. He stated that parliamentarians are meant to work continuously for the nation. They should not be viewed merely as employees with fixed hours.
Commonwealth Speakers Conference Details
Birla provided updates on the upcoming Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC). India will host this event after a gap of sixteen years.
He confirmed that Pakistan will not participate in the conference. Bangladesh will also be absent, as the country currently has no Speaker following the dissolution of its parliament by an interim government. Bangladesh has announced fresh elections.
Despite these absences, India will host the largest edition of CSPOC to date. Forty-two out of fifty-six member nations have confirmed their participation. Key attendees include the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.
Committee Formation Defended
Responding to questions about a parliamentary inquiry committee, Birla defended the Lok Sabha's actions. The committee was formed to probe corruption allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court.
Birla stated that the Lok Sabha has presented its views before the Supreme Court. The apex court has reserved its decision on Justice Varma's legal challenge.
Justice Varma has argued that both Houses of Parliament should have been consulted. He noted that a notice for his removal was submitted in the Rajya Sabha on the same day as in the Lok Sabha. Therefore, he contends the Speaker should not have announced the committee unilaterally.
The Rajya Sabha has informed the Supreme Court that it never admitted the opposition-sponsored notice. The upper house found the notice "defective" on multiple counts.
