Anurag Kumar
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, speaking for the first time about the tumultuous Monsoon session of Parliament, emphasised that the chair must safeguard the prestige of the legislature and has the final authority to expunge or retain lawmakers’ remarks.
During the session, opposition leaders protested a number of decisions, including the reintroduction of remarks by Nishikant Dubey of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the authorization of women and child development minister Smriti Irani to use phrases previously deemed unparliamentary for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Adhir Chowdhury, the floor leader of the Congress, protested his suspension from the Lok Sabha, arguing that the norm was to expunge objectionable remarks, not suspend a member.
Birla defended the deleted remarks during a media briefing following the India Chapter of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting. “The chair has the authority to expunge words from the record. “He has the ability to expunge and reintroduce expunged portions,” he said. Our objective is to ensure that House speeches do not contravene the decorum and prestige of the chamber.
“The House speaker is expected to maintain impartiality and avoid controversy. The chair is responsible for maintaining the prestige of the chamber,” he continued. “Therefore, we strive to ensure that no member questions the chair regarding House issues.”
When the Opposition protested the privilege notice against Chowdhury, who was suspended on August 10, Birla stated that he had no involvement in the matter because it had been referred to the privileges committee.
At the meeting of the presiding officers, Birla reported that a number of measures were taken, including one to make all assemblies paper-free within a specified timeframe and another for the capacity building of legislators.
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In his commencement address, Birla stated that digital technology can enhance good governance and increase the accountability of institutions. “Common people, for whom legislation is enacted, remain unaware of these laws years after their passage,” he said. “Rules for a law are not developed until years after a measure is passed. This is an additional cause for concern.”
The speaker of the Lok Sabha also noted that legislators play a crucial role in contributing to the nation’s prosperity.
