In the backdrop of the developments in Maharashtra and Goa, when the anti-defection law and the Speaker's role in its implementation are yet again in focus, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, will on Friday, hold a meeting with the presiding officers of state legislatures and on the table is, amongst other issues, proposed changes in the anti-defection law.
The meeting of presiding officers, to be held in Parliament House, will take up for discussion the recommendations of a committee headed by Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha Speaker C P Joshi on redefining the powers of the Speaker under the Tenth Schedule. The panel was to consult legal experts and submit its final report.
The Lok Sabha Speaker in a recent interview with THE WEEK said that courts have made certain observations with regard to the role of the Speaker on the issue of defection by legislators and the presiding officers were hurt by these observations. He said that it was in this backdrop that it was felt by the Speakers that it is necessary to ensure that fingers are not pointed at their decisions.
Once the presiding officers firm up their decision on the issue of changes in the anti-defection law, a proposal will be made to the government for bringing in the necessary amendments.
The meeting, according to a statement from the Lok Sabha Secretariat, will also discuss the issue of uniformity of rules and procedures in the legislatures. The presiding officers have in the All India Presiding Officers' Conferences, discussed the possibility of the Vidhan Sabhas and the Lok Sabha having a common set of rules and procedures. A committee was set up in the conference held in Dehradun to discuss having in place a common set of rules and procedures, and it has submitted its report.
As per the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the meeting will also discuss issues such as disruption in legislatures and people's participation in the legislative process.
