Casting aspersion on presiding officers will amount to breach of privilege, contempt of House: RS panel | India News

NEW DELHI: Taking note of the “growing incidents” of members casting aspersions on the presiding officers of Rajya Sabha, the Committee of Privileges has said that henceforth any such action by members would “amount to breach of privilege and contempt of the House” and there would be “exemplary consequences”.

The Committee made this observation while looking into a complaint against TMC MP Dola Sen for allegedly casting aspersions on Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh last year. The TMC lawmaker, in her response, had admitted “certain disparaging remarks” about the deputy chairman and tendered unconditional apology.
The Committee took note of Sen’s unconditional apology and concluded that “no useful purpose will be served by investigating the matter” and recommended closure of the issue.

The report, submitted in the Upper House last week, said, “However, the committee also observes that there have been growing incidents of casting aspersions on the presiding officers and displaying utter disregard to Rules of Procedures and directions of the Chair… The Committee feels that members should be more careful and circumspect in their conduct, particularly making any statement in the media, which may affect the esteem and dignity of the presiding officers. The committee feels that henceforth any such action of casting aspersion on the presiding officers or indulging in action which result in disregard of the directions given by the Chair may amount to breach of privilege and contempt of the House and may be visited with exemplary consequences.”
Last year, a notice of privilege was given by three BJP members of Rajya Sabha against Sen for her comments on the Chair for allowing Roopa Ganguly of BJP to speak on a certain issue (Birbhum Rampurhat incident) during Zero Hour.