Bisheshwar Mishra /NEW DELHI
Rajya Sabha members cutting across party lines expressed their concern over what they called judiciary encroaching into their turf. The issues of alleged “encroachment” by judiciary on the rights of legislature and media accountability were highlighted while bidding farewell to 53 retiring members.
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said Parliament members are concerned over “encroachment” on legislatures rights by Judiciary. Constitution he said, has given Parliament the right to legislate laws and make budget.
“If the judiciary does it what is our relevance,” he said asking the government to discuss the issue during the monsoon session of Parliament. Parliamentary honour, strength and supremacy has to be maintained, he said. “Constitution has drawn clear lines.”
Yadav found support from BSP supremo Mayawati who said, “we sjpi;d act unitedly, especially on important issues” and rise above political affiliations. She however, also cautioned the need to “look within as to why judiciary was taking advantage”
It may be recalled that just two days bacl, Finance Minister and leader of the House Arun Jaitley had voiced concern over the issue, saying judiciary was “step by step, brick by brick” encroaching upon the legislature. With the manner in which encroachment of legislative and executive authority by India’s judiciary is taking place, probably financial power and budget making is the last power that you have left. Taxation is the only power which states have,” he had said while asking the Congress to “reconsider” its stance on GST in his reply to a debate on Finance Bill.
The members including Congress MP Anand Sharma today stressed on the important role played by the Upper House in raising the level of the debate and correcting “flaws” in key legislations. Sharma expressed his concern that a wrong image was created outside that no work is transacted in Rajya Sabha, adding obstructions are part of democracy and are used to put across reservations on policies and programmes.