Sheer neglect of people’s interest

The absence of MPs who had given notice to ask questions during the Question Hour in the Paliament shows the callous and careless behaviour of our MPs to the interest of the people they represent. Question Hour is the most important part of our parliamentary procedure. It is during the Question Hour that MPs can ask question to the minister concerned to know about the government activities on the burning issues of the national and international importance. It is the most regrettable thing in the history of the functioning of our Parliamentary history that the Question Hour was to cut short due to MPs’ absence. 34 MPs across the party lines had given notice to ask question but out of the 34 only two MPs were found present. It is nothing but the sheer neglect of their parliamentary duties. It also shows how careless and callous they are towards espousing the cause of the people whom they represent.The people send MPs to Parliament to raise their problems in the highest body of democracy. When the MPs do not understand the significance of Question Hour in Parliament, it would better in the interest of their electors to make way for others to do the job honestly and sincerely. The absence of MPs during Question Hour reflect why there is provision of Re-call in the parliamentary system of the US. Because after being elected, the majority of MPs think that they become masters and they would do what they like, flouting all norms of their parliamentary duties and their obligation to the people who have sent them to Parliament. MPs must understand that the voters are sovereign and they are their masters. MPs have to serve the people. The absence of MPs also shows disrespect to the Parliament. So every political party must rise above political affiliation and must make all their MPs present in Parliament when it is in session.And their presence in the Lok Sabha must be ensured if they had given notice to ask question during Question Hour. Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has reportedly taken serious notice of skipping the Question Hour by her Party MPs. They were among the 34 MPs with questions listed against their names who were not in the House during question hour on Monday. The behaviour of the MPs in Parliament requires the provision of Re-call in our Constitution also like USA. Though our parliamentary democracy is based on West Minister Model of Britain, it does not function in reality on that line primarily because of the unparliamentary behaviour of MPs. This a matter of serious concern for all of us. The political parties must also issue whip to their MPs to ensure their presence when the Parliament is in session.