Our Correspondent / New Delhi
A Workshop on “Raising Matters of Urgent Public Importance” was organised under the auspices of the Speaker’s Research Initiative (SRI) in Parliament Library Building today. The workshop was aimed at broadening the understanding among Members of Parliament about the procedural devices available to them for raising matters of urgent public importance on the floor of the Houses.
Addressing the distinguished Members, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Chairperson, Estimates Committee underlined the importance of accountability of the elected representatives to the people. He stressed upon the need to effectively utilize the procedural devices such as Calling Attention, Short Duration Discussions, Adjournment Motions and Half-an-hour Discussions. Dr. Joshi observed that matters raised under Rule 377 and during Zero Hour assume great importance as Members may use the same to raise issues of vital importance and to elicit information and obtain decisions of the Government on a variety of matters.
Bhartruhari Mahtab, Chairperson, Railway Convention Committee also briefed the Members about the opportunities offered by the procedural devices to not only review the working of the administration but also to constructively criticize the policies, programmes and actions of the Government. He emphasized on a better understanding of these devices among the Members so that the hopes and aspirations of the people could be voiced in the House.
Members of Parliament and others attended the informative workshop organised by SRI.