Why is it in the news?
- Recently Lok Sabha speaker called for a common code of conduct which would be framed for legislative bodies to check interruptions. A committee after due consultations with Speakers of Legislative Assemblies and the Chairmen of Legislative Councils, would present its report later this year.
Code of conduct
- There is a code of conduct for Rajya Sabha Members since 2005 but there is no code of conduct for Lok Sabha Members. Some of the important features are .
- Members must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility.
- Members must utilise their position as Members of Parliament to advance the general well-being of the people.
- Members should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their immediate family do not come in conflict with the public interest and if any such conflict ever arises, they should try to resolve such a conflict in a manner that the public interest is not jeopardised.
- If Members are in possession of confidential information owing to their being Members of Parliament or Members of Parliamentary Committees, they should not disclose such information for advancing their personal interests.
- A code of conduct is needed because of the following reasons
- In a democratic setup, it helps members of parliament in raising the level of professionalism into politics, while on the other hand by allowing for clear benchmarks against which civil society and the public can judge parliamentary conduct.
- Codes of conduct have already proven to be beneficial in introducing a healthy debate on ethical standards and integrity within national parliaments and among their members.
