Why is it in the news?
- An MP from All India Trinamool Congress, recently faced allegations of unethical conduct. It was claimed that she took money to raise specific questions in Parliament, benefiting a businessman.
- Later, the Speaker referred the matter to the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee for examination.
| Consequences of Taking Money · If an MP accepts money for raising questions in Parliament, it’s seen as a breach of privilege and contempt. · Typically, such allegations are examined by the Committee of Privileges and if proven guilty, an MP could be expelled. |
More about the news
Lok Sabha Ethics Committee
- It was formed in 2000 to address complaints related to unethical conduct of MPs and formulate a code of conduct.
- However, the term ‘unethical conduct’ remains undefined, giving the committee discretion in its interpretation.
| Historical Precedents: · 1951 Case: H.G. Mudgal faced similar accusations. Although found guilty, he resigned before potential expulsion. · 2005 Sting Operation: 10 MPs were exposed for taking money. All were subsequently expelled.
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Previous Verdicts by the Ethics Committee
- Impersonation Case: An MP misrepresented a female companion as his wife during an official trip, which led to suspension from sittings and a ban on bringing companions.
- Parking Label Misuse: An MP misused a parking label but apologized, leading to case closure.
- Passport Misuse: A grave misconduct where an MP misused passport. A special inquiry recommended expulsion.
Jurisdiction and Limitations
- Unlike judicial probes, which are grounded in laws and rules, parliamentary inquiries are less rigid.
- Critics argue that severe misconduct cases should be under the Committee of Privileges or special committees, and not the Ethics Committee.
- Further, the Parliament doesn’t investigate criminal offences; that’s the domain of investigative agencies.
- Beyond parliamentary actions, MPs can face legal trials, as evidenced by the 10 MPs from the 2005 sting.
| Concerns over Online Question Submission · Lok Sabha hasn’t set clear rules for online question submission. · MPs often share login details with assistants due to their busy schedules. · Under Article 105 of the Constitution, MPs can source information freely for their parliamentary tasks, without revealing their sources. |