MPs should take up constructive debates: Kerala Governor

Parliamentarians should volunteer to foster healthier and more constructive debates in the society by strongly correcting the pessimistic trends in our political system, Kerala Governor Justice P Sathasivam said here today.
Stating that a society holds different views about politics and Parliamentarians, he said,"People who are unaware of the procedures of Parliament, tend to criticise long discussions without realising that the Nation derives its policies through these deliberations."
"Though democracy allows a space of dissent, we have reached a stage where dissent is viewed as something unpardonable and even used against people," he added.
Referring to the recent comments by President Pranab Mukherjee on the need for an "argumentative Indian," Sathasivam said, "I feel that our parliamentarians should volunteer to foster healthier and more constructive debates in society by strongly correcting the pessimistic trends in our political system."

A parliamentarian fulfills the most significant duty of leading the nation building activty in any democracy, he noted.
The Governor also suggested that developmental activity of MPs give more impetus to projects that promote renewable energy.

"It would also be good if active attention of the members (of Parliament) turned to projects that benefit the transgenders, SCs and ST (communities)," he said.
Sathasivam was here to present the 8th edition of Sansad Ratna Awards 2017 to nine Members of Parliament for their outstanding performance during the 16th Lok Sabha in April this year.
The parliamentarians chosen for the award are, Shiv Sena MP from Mavel constituency in Maharashtra, Shrirang Appa Barve, Congress MP from Hingoli constituency in Maharashtra, Rajeev Shankar Rao Satav, and National Congress party MP from Kolhapur constituency in Maharashtra, Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadi.

Biju Janata Dal MP from Cuttack in Odisha, Bhatruhari Mahtab, Revolutionary Socialist Party MP from Kollam in Kerala, N K Premachandran, BJP's youngest MP from Nandurbar in Maharashtra, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, CPI(M) MPs from Kerala, K N Balagopal and T N Seema were also selected.
However, Shiv Sena MP from Maharashtra, Sanjay Raut was not present.