RAJYA SABHA SECRETARIAT
NEW DELHI
2005
CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS OF RAJYA SABHA
The Committee on Ethics in its First Report presented to the Council on 8th December, 1998 and adopted by it on 15th December, 1999, after having deliberated on the Code of Conduct for Members at length, came to a definite conclusion that a framework of Code of Conduct be prepared for the Members of Rajya Sabha. The Committee in its Fourth Report also considered the Code of Conduct for Members and was of the view that the Code enumerated in the First Report was quite comprehensive. The Committee however felt the need to reiterate the same for information and compliance of the Members. The Fourth Report of the Committee was presented to the Council on 14th March, 2005 and adopted by it on 20th April, 2005.
Keeping in view the special needs and circumstances which obtain in our country, the Committee recommended the following famework of a Code of Conduct for Members of Rajya Sabha:
The Members of Rajya Sabha should acknowledge their responsibility to maintain the public trust reposed in them and should work diligently to discharge their mandate for the common good of the people. They must hold in high esteem the Constitution, the Law, Parliamentary Institutions and above all the general public. They should constantly strive to translate the ideals laid down in the Preamble to the Constitution into a reality. The following are the principles which they should abide by in their dealings:
(i) Members must not do anything that brings disrepute to the Parliament and affects their credibility.
(ii) Members must utilise their position as Members of Parliament to advance general well-being of the people.
(iii) In their dealings if Members find that there is a conflict between their personal interests and the public trust which they hold, they should resolve such a conflict in a manner that their private interests are subordinated to the duty of their public office.
(iv) Members should always see that their private financial interests and those of the members of their immediate family* do not come in conflict with the public interest and if any such conflict ever arises, they should try to resolve such a conflict in a manner that the public interest is not jeopardised.
(v) Members should never expect or accept any fee, remuneration or benefit for a vote given or not given by them on the floor of the House, for introducing a Bill, for moving a resolution or desisting from moving a resolution, putting a question or abstaining from asking a question or participating in the deliberations of the House or a Parliamentary Committee.
(vi) Members should not take a gift which may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties. They may, however, accept incidental gifts or inexpensive mementoes and customary hospitality.
(vii) Members holding public offices should use public resources in such a manner as may lead to public good.
(viii) If Members are in possession of a confidential information owing to their being Members of Parliament or Members of Parliamentary Committees, they should not disclose such information for advancing their personal interests.
(ix) Members should desist from giving certificates to individuals and institutions of which they have no personal knowledge and are not based on facts.
(x) Members should not lend ready support to any cause of which they have no or little knowledge.
(xi) Members should not misuse the facilities and amenities made available to them.
(xii) Members should not be disrespectful to any religion and work for the promotion of secular values.
(xiii) Members should keep uppermost in their mind the fundamental duties listed in part IVA of the Constitution.
(xiv) Members are expected to maintain high standards of morality, dignity, decency and values in public life.