Unruly behaviour, disruptions lower dignity of assemblies, Parl: Birla

Voicing concern over disruptions in assemblies and Parliament, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said it was important to find solutions to problems through dialogue and discussion to uphold people’s trust in democratic institutions. Inaugurating the first National Legislators’ Conference here, Birla said the declining number of sittings of assemblies and Parliament, increasing indiscipline among members and lowering the dignity of the House have always been matters of concern for the presiding officers. ”There can be differences of opinion as legislators belong to different political parties, but not discussing laws, issues and policies does not augur well for democracy,” Birla said at the conference attended by presiding officers and legislators from across the country. Birla said legislators should maintain high standards of discipline and decency as indecent and unruly behaviours tarnish their image. ”Uproar, sloganeering and adjournment of the House in a planned manner are not appropriate for the democratic system. There is also a growing tendency to tear parliamentary papers,” Birla said.