SEMINAR ON ‘ROLE AND RELAVANCE OF RAJYA
(DECEMBER 14,2003)
Namaskar, Good Morning.
I welcome you all; my greetings to the distinguished speakers and the participants. I offer my thanks to the Deputy Chairperson for organizing this Seminar on a very appropriate subject. When Rajya Sabha is in its 200th Session, and has been functioning for over half a century, it is indeed very useful to review the 'role' and 'relevance' of Rajya Sabha in the present and developing context.
2. Our Constitution provided bicameral legislature at the. Centre and assigned a unique role to the Rajya Sabha. It is the permanent House of the Parliament of India, which is the Union of States. This House provides representation to the States and is, therefore, very appropriately called the Council of States.
3. What role for Rajya Sabha did the makers of our Constitution envisage? The first Chairman, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, very lucidly defined this when the Rajya Sabha had its first Session on May 13, 1952. He had observed, I quote:
"There
is a general impression that
this House cannot make or unmake
governments and, therefore, it is a
superfluous body. But, there are
functions,
which a revising Chamber can fulfill
fruitfully. Parliament is not only a
legislative
but a deliberative body. So far as its
deliberative functions are concerned,
it will
be open to us to make very valuable
contributions, and it will depend on
our
work whether we justify this two
Chamber
system, which is now an integral part of
our
Constitution. So, it is a test to which
we are
submitted. We are for the first time
starting
under the parliamentary system, with a
second Chamber in the Centre and we
should try to do everything in our
power to
justify to the public of this country
that a
second Chamber is essential to prevent
hasty
legislation" Unquote.
4. During the span of last fifty years, Rajya Sabha has performed this expected role with distinction and success; its performance has surely strengthened the roots of democracy. There has been substantial and significant contribution by Hon'ble Members in the form of reasoned and dignified debates which also highlighted political consciousness. Pages after pages of Rajya Sabha debates show how the concerns of the people's welfare and development, with a futuristic outlook, guided deliberations in the' House. As an illustration, it would be relevant to recall -that the issue of deforestation and displacement of tribals from the forest lands was raised by a Member as early as in the year 1952 itself. Indeed, the deliberations in the House have always been guided by long-term vision for growth and development in the larger interest of the people.
5. Today, we: need to ponder as to how to redefine and reorient the role of Rajya Sabha so as to make its performance more relevant and effective in meeting the present and the future challenges. We have the vision of making India a front-line development Nation by the year 2020. In this task, we shall have to face in the next two decades challenges of economic growth and public governance. There will be growing pressure to fulfill the aspirations of the people, promote their welfare and undertake speedy development with efficient, hassle- free and corruption-free governance.
6. The key issue is: how shall we prepare to face these challenges? Poverty alleviation, population stabilization, electoral reform, speedy justice, national security are such areas which need fast track action based on consensus. It is essential to evolve approach of action in respect of such important national issues based on consensus not only amongst political parties but also between the Centre and the States. Through serious discussion, deliberations and constructive debates, Rajya Sabha should be making positive and specific recommendations on new strategies and programmes for appropriate legislative and executive follow-up-action. I have no doubt these recommendations are bound to receive due consideration by the concerned authorities
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7. Rajya Sabha has also to be sensitive and concerned with the aspirations of the States. In the present political scenario, Rajya Sabha has a special role to bring about coherence and congruence in national and state development policies. Many programmes and projects of national importance often touch upon the sensitivity of Centre -State relations. Inter-state water disputes and National Mission for interlinking of rivers are the typical examples. Rajya Sabha would need to be concerned with such sensitive issues and evolve suitable and appropriate manner of performing its role towards addressing these issues
8. Today there is big public interest in the functioning of our Parliamentary institutions. Performance and functioning of Parliament are under watch and scrutiny of public as well as the media. As House of Elders, and as Council of States, the Rajya Sabha will have to give lead and set high" standards for other elected bodies including State Legislatures and Zila Parishads to emulate. That would also enthuse and inspire the younger generation and secure their participation in improving public governance and nation building.
9. Some other aspects relating to functioning of Rajya Sabha also deserve a review. We should have a critical look at the system of functioning of the Committees of Rajya Sabha. Can we make their functioning more effective and purposeful? Also, how shall we enthuse our Hon'ble Members to be more pro-active on key issues on of national importance and act as healthy competitors in the endeavour to serve the nation?
10. Dear students, I am happy to see you here in good number. You, the youth of the country are going to be the builders of the developed India. You have the responsibility to further strengthen the roots of democracy in our country. You have also the opportunity to make our democracy not only the largest in the world but also a great democracy by building a strong and powerful India. I have an abiding faith in the destiny of our country. I am sanguine that with commitment, motivation and hard work, you shall definitely build a fully developed India of our dreams.
11. Friends, today we have very distinguished speakers at this Seminar; they are persons of eminence, with rich and varied experience in public life, journalism, legal profession and academics. I am sure with their deep insight and in-depth understanding of the Indian polity, they would throw valuable light on the topic of today's Seminar.
12. With these words, I have great pleasure in inaugurating this Seminar. I am sure the deliberations would be enlightening, purposeful and productive.
Thank you, Jai Hind.