Kharge bids farewell to retiring members in RS, urges review of House rules
New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday bid farewell to retiring members and called for a review of the rules of procedure and conduct of business in the House.
He also said the House should have more sittings so that issues of public importance can be discussed with all seriousness.
Kharge also called for more participation from Opposition members in formulating legislation. Any impediment to that would weaken the institution of parliament, he said.
"It is my firm belief that a periodic review of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Rajya Sabha is essential. This matter is currently under consideration before the General Purposes Committee (GPC), and it warrants serious deliberation," he said.
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Kharge is retiring but will return to the House.
"Those involved in politics never retire from public life, nor do they ever grow tired in their passion for serving the nation," he noted.
Kharge said institutions endure, while faces of people within them keep changing.
"We extend a warm welcome to those colleagues who have been re-elected to the House. As for those who are retiring and departing from this House, I am confident that they will continue to contribute meaningfully to public life.
"The experience gained here will undoubtedly empower them to undertake even more significant roles in the future," the Leader of Opposition said soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his remarks in the House.
Noting that while fulfilling his own responsibilities, he constantly strived to listen to the viewpoints of all sides -- to learn from the constructive ideas presented and to put them into practice.
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"My time in this Upper House has been filled with a mix of both pleasant and challenging experiences. It is my firm belief that significant new initiatives are required to make this House even more meaningful -- so that the Upper House may convey a more positive message to society and the nation, and provide effective guidance," he said.
Kharge said the Constitution grants every Member of Parliament the freedom to express their views fearlessly, and without debate and deliberation, parliamentary institutions hold no true significance.
"If freedom of thought is curtailed, many avenues become closed off. When good legislation is enacted, it is not merely the ruling party but also the Members of Parliament from the Opposition who play an equal role in its formulation. They play a pivotal role within parliamentary committees. I feel that any impediment to these roles would serve to weaken the parliamentary institution," the Congress MP said.
He said the number of sittings of the House should be increased, and serious deliberations should be held on issues concerning the public.
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"There should be greater scope to discuss issues concerning the interests of the poor, the marginalised sections of society, farmers, and labourers. Often, when we raise these issues, the ruling party perceives it as criticism and begins to refute it without even listening; whereas, the government ought to give serious consideration to the concerns of the people," he said.
The Leader of the Opposition observed that even within the limited opportunities available, when Members of Parliament articulate significant points, those remarks are frequently expunged from the proceedings -- even though they are not unparliamentary in nature.
"The removal of specific words often distorts the very meaning and intent of the statement made," he said, as he bid farewell to several party colleagues who are retiring from the Upper House.
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Govt in favour of ban on DJs playing 'item songs' during cultural events: Minister Tangadagi
Bengaluru (PTI): Kannada & Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi on Wednesday said the Karnataka government was in favour of imposing a ban on disc jockeys (DJ) playing “item songs” and loud music at cultural events and processions.
The minister was replying to his cabinet colleague Santosh Lad in the assembly, seeking a ban on DJs playing item songs during such events.
“In all jayantis (birth anniversaries of prominent figures) and festivals, DJs have become a big problem. We must think about this. In any jayanti, our Gods won’t move forward (in a procession) without a DJ and an item song. This is shameful. DJs and item songs won't do any good for culture,” Lad said.
He said, "I request in this House. Let any government come to power, these DJs should be banned during any Jayantis."
In response, Minister Tangadagi said, "The BJP should cooperate. We will issue an order. We should issue an order because DJs are creating a lot of problems. If everyone agrees, it has to be done."
At this point, BJP MLA from Shivamogga S N Channabasappa said he was not in agreement with the idea.
“They (those demanding a ban) may not want (DJs), but we want it. You cannot do as per your wish and preferences....Ban Azaan as per a Supreme Court order if you can. Will you do it?” he asked.
Intervening, Speaker U T Khader said the Supreme Court order was regarding fixing the sound decibel levels. “All governments must follow that."
However, senior BJP lawmaker Suresh Kumar backed the plan to ban DJs.
“I agree that DJs and item songs are not part of our culture. There is another aspect to this, which is the sound that it emanates. I have seen people with a pacemaker in their hearts suffer from the sound of DJs. I have seen children close their ears. Those who organise events with DJs don't understand what others are going through. Even the police are helpless. We must seriously think about the noise pollution due to DJs,” he said.
The issue came up for discussion in response to Channabasappa's question seeking government funds to organise Sahyadri or Malnad Utsava regularly in Shivamogga.
Later speaking, BJP’s Janardhana Reddy also asked the government to restart the Anegundi Utsava in Koppal.
Responding to this, Minister Tangadagi said all districts want to organise their own utsavas, or festivals.
“This has become a big problem for us. There are certain limitations and guidelines. Any utsava must be tied to the history of a place. Earlier, Dasara Utsava was confined to Mysuru, Madikeri and Chamarajanagar. Later, Shivamogga was added, when B S Yediyurappa was the CM."
Noting that Karnataka has a unique culture and tradition, Speaker Khader said to protect and nurture local identity and culture, every district should have its own utsava.
“This encourages local cultures and traditions. Otherwise, our younger generation and children will forget all that amid rapid western influence,” he said, as he asked the Minister to discuss in the department and fix the grants for each district.
BJP MLA V Sunil Kumar, who earlier served as Kannada and Culture Minister, suggested that the government come up with a policy to organise regular district-wise or regional utsavas.
IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the utsavas and festivals organised should have year-long fests with activities and events held throughout the year aimed at providing a platform to local artists and artisans, instead of limiting them to two-day grand cultural stage events.
“We should create a throughout-the-year event calendar. They must not only be cultural events, but also create economic activities to help local artists. We should create a policy of sorts for this,” he said, adding that Rs 20 crore is spent on some two-day festival, but what about the remaining 363 days?
Minister Lad said the utsavas cost crores because top singers are invited to perform.
“Without performances from top singers, artists and item songs, people won't come,” he said.
