Ethics Committee 

21 Oct Ethics Committee 

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “Ethics Committee”. This topic has relevance in the “Polity and Governance” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

For Prelims:

What are the functions and composition of the Ethics Committee? 

For Mains:

GS2:  Polity and Governance

Why in the news?

Recently, the Lok Sabha Speaker forwarded a complaint against a current Member of Parliament to the House Ethics Committee.

 

About Ethics Committee

• The establishment of Ethics Committees in the Parliament originates from a resolution passed during the Presiding Officers Conference in New Delhi in October 1996. 
• Each house of Parliament has its own dedicated Ethics Committee.

 

Functions of the Committee on Ethics

• Monitoring members’ moral and ethical behaviour: The committee assesses complaints regarding the unethical conduct of members, referred to by the Speaker. Subsequently, it provides recommendations.
• Creating a Code of Conduct for members: The committee is crafting a Code of Conduct for members and may propose adjustments or additions to this code periodically.
• Upholding order and decorum in Parliament: The committee plays a key role in preserving discipline and decorum within the Parliament.
• Ensuring transparency and accountability: It establishes protocols for lodging ethics-related complaints and guidelines for financial disclosures and the declaration of interests by members.

 

Procedure for Filing a Complaint with the Ethics Committee:

• • Any individual or member can submit a complaint regarding the unethical behaviour of a Lok Sabha member.
  • If an individual makes a complaint, it needs to be forwarded by a Lok Sabha member.
  • An initial inquiry is conducted once a matter is referred to the Committee.
  • If, after the preliminary inquiry, the Committee concludes that there is no apparent case, it may suggest that the matter be dropped, with the Chairperson notifying the Speaker accordingly.
  • If, following the preliminary inquiry, the Committee believes there is a prima facie case, it proceeds to examine the matter further.
  • The Committee’s recommendations are presented in the form of a report.
  • The report is presented to the Speaker, who may instruct that the report be tabled in the House.
  • The report from the Committee may also outline the procedure the House should follow to implement the recommendations.
  • After the report has been presented, the Chairperson, a Committee member, or another member can propose that the House consider the report.
  • Before submitting the matter to the House, the Speaker may allow a debate on the motion, limited to a maximum of thirty minutes.

• Whether or not the House accepts the recommendations in the report is at its discretion.

 

Sources: Parliamentary Ethics Committee calls BJP MP Nishikant Dubey to prove his allegations against Trinamool’s Mahua Moitra – The Hindu 

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 21th Oct 2023

Q1. With reference to the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics, consider the following statements: 

1. The Ethics Committee was first established in Lok Sabha in 2000, followed by Rajya Sabha later. 
2. The Ethics Committee has 10 members in both houses of the Parliament. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2  

(d) None 

Check Answer

 

Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the Ethics Committee: 

1. It receives complaints against unethical conduct of the members.
2. It examines every question involving a breach of privilege of the House or the members. 
3. The recommendations of the ethics committee are binding on the House. 

How many of the abovementioned statements are correct?

(a) Only one 

(b) Only two 

(c) All three 

(d) None

Check Answer

 

Q3. Discuss the role and importance of the Ethics Committee in Parliament and highlight its challenges in carrying out its functions.