M A I N   N E W S

Vital to uphold dignity of House: President
Ashok Tuteja
Tribune News Service

PREZSPEAK "The image of Parliament in the public mind should be one where proceedings, debates and discussion take place to resolve issues through a constructive and cooperative approach"

Dialogue among stakeholders in democratic institutions an integral part of democratic working We are confident of growing at over 9% next year. All sectors of economy will be contributors to growth trajectory Rising inflation a cause of serious concern, need to look at innovative approaches towards food security, rural development Need to seriously look at bringing systematic changes to deal more effectively with corruption Development requires an environment of stability, need for international community to eradicate the threat of terrorism

New Delhi, January 25
With the washout of the winter session of Parliament still fresh in people’s mind, President Pratibha Patil today reminded both the government and the Opposition of their responsibility to maintain the decorum and dignity of the House. She also expressed concern over the rising prices, particularly of food articles, and strongly condemned incidents of ragging in education institutions, describing it as violence which should not be tolerated. She also called for bringing systematic changes to deal more effectively with corruption.

In an address to the nation on the eve of Republic Day, Patil said: “The image of Parliament in the public mind should be one where proceedings, debates and discussion take place with a view to resolve issues through a constructive and cooperative approach.”

She went on to add that “if this does not happen, people’s faith in democratic institutions can be effected, resulting in a feeling of despondency which is unacceptable in a healthy democracy, as it may derail democratic institutions.”

Therefore, dialogue among stakeholders in democratic institutions was an integral part of democratic working. “It is important that the decorum and dignity of the House is upheld at all times,” she added.

Patil said the sustenance of democracy was essential for the identity of India. “We must not only reinforce democratic institutions and processes, but also refrain from any action, taken wittingly or unwittingly, that dilutes or is detrimental to democracy.”

The President’s comments assume significance against the backdrop of the fact that the entire winter session of Parliament was washed out over the Opposition’s demand for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum scam and the government’s reluctance to do so.

Patil expressed happiness that the country’s economy was progressing at a stable pace and that even in the face of difficult circumstances during the global financial downturn, its performance was appreciable.

“We are now returning to the pre-crisis growth pattern and are confident of growing at over 9 per cent next year. All sectors of the economy will be contributors to our growth trajectory,” she said.

However, rising inflation, particularly food prices, was a cause of serious concern and must draw attention to the urgent need to take suitable action and also look at more innovative approaches towards food security, agricultural production and rural development, Patil said.

She referred to the all-pervasive corruption in the context of welfare schemes. The total sum of developmental funds must reach the intended beneficiaries. Corruption was the enemy of development and of good governance. “Instead of getting lost in this kind of mire, it is necessary to rise above it and seriously look at bringing systematic changes to deal more effectively with corruption.”