LS Speaker urges members not to disrupt proceedings

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today urged Lok Sabha members not to disrupt proceedings, saying it stalls important legislations and gives the country a bad name abroad.

Addressing the media after the all-party meeting convened by her, she said whenever she travels abroad, people often ask her about frequent disruptions and wonder how she manages the proceedings.

Mahajan said she has been assured of a smooth functioning by the members.

She also referred to the letter written to her by opposition members, saying they have expressed their anguish.

"I got their letter today in which they have expressed their anguish... Children often blame others... I take it as a mother... We can always resolve issues and there is no big deal about it," she said.

In their letter to the Speaker, they said given the stature and responsibility of the speaker, "we are confident that you must have already addressed a communication specifically to the Leader of the House as well, asking him to put a full-stop to subversion of the rules and the Constitution".

Mahajan had last week written to opposition parties expressing concern over the frequent disruptions in Parliament and asked them to introspect while ensuring that the dignity of Parliament was not undermined.

She had also sought their cooperation, stating that divergence of opinion and dissent should be within the established norms.

Mahajan told reporters that if the House runs smoothly, issues raised by members can be taken up.

The session will have 18 sittings which comes to 108 hours.

She said by excluding the Question Hour and the Zero Hour, 62 hours will be available for government agenda.