Meet on smooth functioning of RS fails to evolve consensus

After a chaotic first part of the Budget session, an all-party meeting convened today to ensure smooth proceedings in Rajya Sabha in the remaining phase failed to evolve a consensus on measures like automatic suspension for disciplining members and deferred telecast.
The meeting held on the eve of the resumption of the Budget session was convened by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari and attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with senior members from various parties.
Referring to the unruly scenes on the last day of part one of the Budget session on March 23 when AIADMK members broke mikes and hurled papers while raising the Sri Lankan Tamils issue, Ansari said he has called the meeting in agony and distress over the incident, sources said.

He said there was a feeling outside of collective shame and hooliganism following the incident and suggested deferred telecast of proceedings and naming members who troop into the Well of the House in Rajya Sabha bulletin, the sources said.
Ansari also said he was initiating consultations on automatic suspension of members for creating disorder. Though Rajya Sabha has rules in this regard, they have rarely been exercised.
Speaking at the meeting, Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House Arun Jaitley said the House will run on the sense of responsibility of the members.

On the issue of automatic suspension, Jaitley said it could lead to a situation where minority becomes majority. He said the government could use the situation to get the contentious bills passed, the sources said.

Derek O'Brien of Trinamool Congress said the suggestion of deferred live telecast was not practical and would not address the problem. He said if situation goes beyond control, then the cameras telecasting the proceedings could be turned off.
"...But there is no question of stopping the telecast. None of us would agree. The public has right to know what is happening in the House," CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury told reporters after the meeting.