Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday said that lawmakers should discuss and debate issues in legislatures but not disrupt proceedings in the House as it would ultimately be a loss to the people.
"Protecting people's interest should be the guiding principle for legislators and Parliamentarians. The ruling party will be happy if the House is stalled but it will be a loss for the House and the people.
"Legislators should discuss, debate and decide (on issues) but not disrupt," Naidu said, addressing the inaugural session of a two-day orientation programme organised for newly -elected legislators of Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad.
Members should enhance the standard of debate as well as conduct in the House, said the Minister, whose sage advice came at a time when disruptions in Parliament and State legislatures have become such a common occurrence.
"Personal criticism of other members is unwarranted. Legislators should be objective and there should not be opposition just for the sake of it. Opposition should be given enough space (in the debates) to express its views," he said.
The Minister regretted the decline in the number of working days of State legislatures and said there was a need to increase the sittings per year.
"Parliament meets at least for 89 days a year. But some of the State legislatures are not even meeting for 30 days. This is sad," he pointed out.
Narrating several anecdotes, Naidu said legislators should be "well prepared" with facts and be keen listeners.
"Read the (legislature) rule book thoroughly. Memorise everything and follow the rule book scrupulously. Take part in the debates actively and sit through the day's proceedings," he told the newly-elected public representatives.
The veteran politician said the legislators now had a new responsibility of monitoring welfare and development programmes besides being law-makers. "We have to be the bridge between people and government," he noted.
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address the legislators on Saturday.
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 "Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu")
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