GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics
Source: TH
Context: The article (by Shashi Tharoor) discusses the need for improving parliamentary conduct in India’s Parliament and suggests emulating certain practices from the Houses of Westminster to address the issue of frequent disruptions.
There has been a problem of frequent disruptions in India’s Parliament, where members often resort to disrupting proceedings rather than engaging in constructive debates.
Recently, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (LS), Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha (in Rajya Sabha) were suspended for disrupting the parliament.
Evolution of Indian Parliament:
Initially, India’s parliamentary system was modeled after Britain’s Westminster model, and Indian MPs followed British parliamentary traditions with pride and authenticity.
Further Reading:
Issues in the Indian Parliament (from GS4 ethics perspective):
| Issue | Description | Solution |
| Frequent Disruptions | MPs resort to disruptive behaviour rather than engaging in constructive debates. | Create a culture of constructive debates through training and workshops. |
| Declining Standards | Over time, parliamentary behaviour has declined, and lawmakers often breach the code of conduct. | Role Modeling: Senior MPs should set an example by upholding high ethical standards in debates and discussions. |
| Impunity | Lawmakers who breach rules often face few consequences, leading to a culture of impunity. | Ensure consistent enforcement of penalties for misconduct, regardless of party affiliation. |
| Credibility Concerns | Disruptive conduct may have discredited Parliament in the eyes of the public, impacting its credibility. | Rebuild public trust through transparency, accountability, and adherence to parliamentary rules. |
| Inadequate Opposition Influence | Opposition MPs struggle to influence parliamentary outcomes due to party-line voting and the anti-defection law. | Institute regular Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQs) for accountability and dialogue. |
| While disruptions are tolerated to allow Opposition space, standards of behaviour have been compromised. | Opposition Day: Allowing the Opposition a designated day a week to set the agenda for debate. | |
| Speaker’s Role | The Speaker’s rejection of adjournment motions, amendments, and division votes hinders Opposition representation. | Ensure impartiality in the Speaker’s decisions and allow for robust debates. |
| Potential Damage to Democracy | Frequent disruptions and declining standards could damage the credibility of India’s democracy. | Prioritize democratic values and norms to restore public confidence in the Parliament. |
Insta Links:
PUBLIC SERVICE ETHICS/ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS
Mains Links:
Has the Cadre-based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow in India? Critically examine. (UPSC 2014)
