Indian Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu has recently pushed for the development of a formal code of conduct for members of political parties within the legislative assembly. While the Rajya Sabha Members have adhered to a code of conduct since 2005, the Lok Sabha Members currently have no such guidelines to govern their behavior.
The Necessity for a Code of Conduct
The necessity for greater regulation in parliament’s operations arises from a history of continuous disruptions and adjournments prompted by unruly behavior from members. Notably, the second half of the Budget Session in 2018 experienced complete derailment due to these disruptions. The productivity of the Lok Sabha functioned at an abysmal four percent, while the Rajya Sabha’s was slightly higher at eight percent. Such unprofessional conduct negatively impacts the nation’s view of the legislative institution and undermines its legitimacy.
History of Code of Conducts
Historically, codes of conduct have been established for High Court and Supreme Court Judges, as well as for State and Union Ministers. The Union ministers adopted a behavior code in 1964, which was later incorporated by state governments. Furthermore, the 1999 Chief Justices conference introduced a code of conduct for the judges of the Supreme and High Courts.
Code of Conduct in Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha implemented the First Report of the Ethics Committee on December 15, 1999. The Fourth Report instated on April 20, 2005, introduced a much-needed 14-point Code of Conduct for House Members. These guidelines primarily focus on prioritizing public interest over personal profit, maintaining the credibility and reputation of the Parliament, proper utilization of public resources, and avoiding any form of bribery or corruption.
Code of Conduct in Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha formed its inaugural Ethics Committee on May 16, 2000. This committee’s report provided crucial amendments to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, all of which were proposed on December 18, 2014. These recommendations were included in a Lok Sabha Rules Committee report, suggesting that an Ethics Committee should formulate and periodically update a Member’s Code of Conduct. Unfortunately, progress has been stalled as the matter is currently pending with the Ethics Committee.
International Examples
Many international legislatures have adopted similar codes of conduct. The Canadian House of Commons’ Code of Conduct is overseen by an Ethics Commissioner, responsible for assessing potential violations. Initiated in 1972, Germany’s Bundestag members adhere to a specific conduct code. The USA also has had a formal conduct code since 1968.
Way Forward
The frequent disruption of Parliament indicates a clear necessity for greater control over Parliamentary members’ behavior. It is essential to establish a mechanism for managing unruly members while ensuring that the implementation of a code of ethics does not suppress the opposition’s role. Much like the UK, it might be beneficial to allocate certain Parliament working days to allow the Opposition to determine the day’s agenda.
