People's Democracy

        First Session Of 14th Lok Sabha

Subhas Ray

THE historic result of the 14th Lok Sabha elections has ushered in a new era for secular forces in the country, particularly for the Left parties who have emerged as a crucial player in the formation and existence of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. After its constitution, the 14th Lok Sabha met for the first time on June 2 and as many as 376 members took oath under the supervision of the pro tem Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee, who had earlier been sworn in by the President, A P J Abdul Kalam, at Rashtrapati Bhavan before the House met. The newly elected members’ oath taking ceremony continued till June 3. And the next day, June 4, saw the historic unanimous election of CPI(M) leader Somnath Chatterjee as the Speaker of the 14th Lok Sabha. It is the first time in Indian parliamentary democracy, a communist was elected for this post.

However, the day witnessed uproarious scenes as soon as the Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee asked the prime minister, Manmohan Singh to introduce his ministers. The prime minister’s introduction of ministers to the House was drowned in the slogan-shouting by the BJP and other opposition members. The irony of the situation was that the leader of opposition, L K Advani had only minutes ago assured the newly elected Speaker of full cooperation. Even as the din continued, members of treasury benches thumped their desks to applaud the ministers who were being introduced by the prime minister. The Speaker, adjourned the House till 11 a m on Monday, the June 7.

SOMNATH'S SPEECH

Earlier, in reply to emotional felicitations on his election as Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee said that he was overwhelmed by the generous sentiments expressed for him by all sections of the House. He reminded the members that Lok Sabha is the highest elected body in the largest parliamentary democracy in the world and occupies the pivotal position in our political system. "Our founding fathers, after considerable deliberations, decided to adopt the parliamentary system of governance with the Lok Sabha elected on adult franchise and the council of ministers responsible to the same. Members of Parliament who are elected on the basis of their pledge contained in their manifestoes are expected to articulate the urges and aspirations of the people to discuss problems and issues facing the nation and to deliberate upon the formulation of national policies and programmes with a view to finding solutions to them. The very postulate of parliamentary democracy as enshrined in our Constitution is the collective responsibility of the union council of ministers to the House of People. For every action of the government it is liable to answer in this House. This House represents all sections of our people with their very socio-cultural identities, ethos and genius, differences of ideas, interests, approaches and objectives and these are bound to show up during the deliberations in the House. As a strong integrating force in the country this House, which is the people’s institution in the true sense of the term, will be called upon to resolve the various socio-political and economic problems faced by the people. But even after more than five decades of Independence, a very substantial number of our people still face awesome problems and do not enjoy even the minimum rights, which the Constitution granted. Abysmal poverty, illiteracy, high child mortality, absence of adequate healthcare, lack of job opportunities, non-availability of pure drinking water in many areas, amongst others, are the problems which still haunt the common people and resulted in effective denial of the constitutional and indeed the basic human rights to our people. The common people of our country, particularly the toiling sections, the workers, the peasants and farmers, the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes, the women and the minorities have not seen fulfillment of their basic minimum needs. The condition of the working class in the country is still extremely uncertain with mounting unemployment figures. In such circumstances, it is the bounden duty of us, as Members of Parliament, to play a very active, responsible and effective role to meet the aspirations of the people. The Parliament is constituted by the people. It has to deliberate upon and deal with the problems of the people and ultimately find their solutions for the people. Nowadays considerable criticism is being faced by the Members of Parliament about their failure to maintain decorum and dignity in the House. The behaviour and conduct of some legislators have become subject of justified criticism and in some cases even of ridicule. 

"Unfortunately, there is developing more and more an attitude of confrontation than cooperation in our political life, which finds its reflection in the House. We should resolve to change this perception in the minds of people by our own conduct, both inside and outside the House. Parliament should function through debate, discussion and consensus and it can only do so if the deliberations are marked by a sense of commitment to the cause of the people and the atmosphere in the House is kept free from bitterness and acrimony. Unless the rules, regulations and well-established parliamentary conventions are respected by each and every member and unless the members exhibit mutual accommodation and respect whenever there are differing points of view, our parliamentary democracy will remain imperfect. The observance of discipline and decorum on the part of the members is an essential pre-condition for the smooth and efficient functioning of the House. One need hardly emphasise that it is the quality of our behaviour and substance of our deliberations that will decide whether we are able to enhance the prestige of this august House and promote faith in our parliamentary institution. 

"Let us resolve that we shall perform the task assigned to us to the best of our ability and with sincerity. We should ask ourselves when the House rises for the day every evening as to what we have done during the day for the country and for the people and whether we have justified the people’s faith in sending us here. Nothing will give us more satisfaction than the feeling that we have tried and done our best" so saying he concluded. 

The Lok Sabha also unanimously elected Charanjit Singh Atwal of Shiromani Akali Dal as Deputy Speaker of the House on June 9.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

The President, A P J Abdul Kalam made his customary Address to a joint session of Parliament, which was an occasion to make broad policy statement of the newly formed UPA government. The Address was in broad conformity with the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of UPA that has been supported by the Left parties. In some areas, particularly the foreign policy, the Address deviated from the CMP in a significant manner. It miserably failed to reflect the reality of what was happening in Iraq. The President’s Address supported the so-called transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqi people by June 30 this year as promised by the US and expressed satisfaction with the UN involvement in this sham process. The fact was that the Iraqi people were suffering under the illegal and brutal US occupation. To dignify this as a transfer of sovereignty is farcical and totally uncalled for. Defyng the CMP, the Address also seeks to carry on with the same India-US-Israel axis flaunted by the earlier BJP-led NDA government.

As far as economy and social sector are concerned the Address outlined the economic agenda of the UPA government, which promises to ensure at least seven to eight per cent growth in economy. The Address dealt with protecting and promoting secular values, generation of employment, improving the income and livelihood of workers and firm labourers, effective implementation of the minimum wage law, empowering women and providing equality of opportunities for SC/ST people, OBCs and religious minorities.

The Address expressed concern for the shrinking employment opportunities for the youth and assured to adopt policies to expand employment opportunities by creating a conducive climate for investment in the organised sector, expanding credit facilities for the small-scale industry and self-employment and provide full support to the service sector, creation of new jobs in village industries, textiles, handicrafts, horticulture, aquaculture, forestry, dairying and agro-processing to benefit rural and urban youth. The Address also dealt with the promise of providing guaranteed employment for 100 days in a year to at least one able bodied person in every rural household along with enacting a National Employment Guarantee Act.

The Address also dealt with health and education and mentioned the increase in public spending to 2-3 per cent of GDP over the next five years in case of health and at least six per cent for education. The Address promised to take steps to ensure the availability of life saving drugs at reasonable prices. The Address also dealt with many other areas - industry, foreign direct investment, major tax reforms, elimination of the revenue deficit of the central government by 2009 etc.

No discussion on President Address could take place in both Houses for the last four days of the session due to the unruly situation created by the opposition parties on the issue of ‘tainted ministers’. The President's Address was unanimously passed by voice vote after all the amendments were withdrawn. After adopting the motion of thanks to the President’s Address without discussion, Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die. Rajya Sabha, after bidding farewell to the outgoing members, adjourned the House sine die.