Venkaiah Naidu deprecates disruption of legislative sessions

In a veiled attack on Congress over the washout of Parliament's Monsoon Session, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said there is no justification "beyond a point" in creating roadblocks in the functioning of legislative bodies and suggested that an inter-party forum be set up for their smooth functioning.
Addressing the 17th All India Whips' Conference here, he said that in Indian polity, there is a broad consensus on the path to be followed for ensuring rapid economic, scientific and technological development so as to empower every citizen.
"In such a scenario, there is no justification for creating roadblocks and obstacles beyond a point," he said.

Underlining the role of Chief Whips and Whips, he said it was time all political parties came together and formed a forum to ensure smooth proceedings in legislative bodies.
"Parliament should work for at least 100 days (a year) and state Assemblies for 75 days," Naidu told the meeting.
He said "political parties should ultimately be guided by larger concerns and interests of the people in the day to day functioning of legislatures" even as they assert their right to have effective scrutiny of policy initiatives and accountability of the executive to legislatures within the framework of rules and conventions.

With increasing globalisation, swift legislative initiatives are required to rework policies and decision- making systems to ensure that benefits of global integration reached the common man, he said.

"We should not allow politics and short-term political considerations to come in the way of such swift responses. Political parties are the key players in effective functioning of parliamentary institutions. Parties should be guided by the larger national goals and aspirations in drawing up their strategies in the legislatures," the minister said.
He said Parliament and state legislatures are now facing a crisis of credibility on account of their nature of functioning.

"Instead of being known as enabling institutions, legislatures are increasingly being viewed by the public and media as disruptive institutions. This amounts to negating the trust and the confidence that the electors have invested in us. This is a matter of serious concern for all of us to ponder over and undertake necessary corrective interventions before it is too late," he told the gathering.