Shekhawat exhorts new RS MPs to uphold parliamentary decorum

New Delhi, May 20 : Expressing concern over the eroding credibility of Parliament as the country's supreme legislature, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today called up on newly elected Memebrs of the Rajya Sabha to set up the highest standard of parliamentary decorum.

Increasing public scrutiny and media surveillance has increased the importance of good and decent conduct and the Members should accordingly behave to set themselves as model to legilsators in the states, Mr Shekhawat said welcoming the newly elected/nominated Members here.

''Friends, you need to develop a passion to regularly attend the sittings of the House and take active part in its proceedings. The key challenge before us to secure a health, prosperous and equitable society free from poverty, ignorance, disease and insecurity,'' he said.

The Vice president, who is ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya sabha, said no goal was nobler in democracy than the goal of promoting the welfare of the people, securing for them the right to live with dignity.

Pointing out that membership in Parlaiment was an exceptional opportunity for public service, he advised the new Members to make use of it in every conceivable way to promote the welfare of the people.

Deputy Rajya Sabha K Rahman Khan, Secretary General of the Rajya sabha Dr Yogendra Narain and Lok Sabha Secretary General PDT Acharya were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

UNI