Privilege provisions should be scrapped, opines Maha Speaker

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Dilip Walse Patil today expressed serious concern over the use of privilege notices by the legislators.
"Going by the frivolous privilege notices, I think the provision needs to be scrapped," the Speaker said.
The remarks came after he disposed of privilege notices submitted by MLAs.
"It seems few understand the sanctity of the privileges (enjoyed by the legislators). Now a days, there is a privilege notice on any issue," he said. Almost eighty per cent of the privilege notices given by members don't fulfil the criteria, he added.
The Speaker said he would soon convene a meeting of party group leaders on the issue.

At a recent seminar organised by the Legislature, Advocate General Darius Khambata had also urged the lawmakers to use the power of privileges wisely, so that it does not get "diluted".
"The power of privilege granted to the legislature is a far-reaching power. If it is not exercised wisely and infrequently, you will dilute it," Khambata had said.