New Delhi, Dec 2: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress’ leader in Lok Sabha, penned a letter to Speaker Om Birla on Saturday, addressing the Ethics Committee’s proceedings against Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra in a “cash-for-query” case. In the letter, Chowdhury called for a reevaluation of rules and processes governing parliamentary committees, expressing concerns over the lack of clarity in the roles of the Privileges Committee and the Ethics Committee.
Chowdhury highlighted the absence of a precise definition for “unethical conduct” and an established “code of conduct” despite the provisions in Rule 316B of the Rules of Procedure. He emphasized the need for a thorough examination of these issues, including the procedures followed by the committee, which hold significant influence over the political landscape. The letter urged the Speaker to provide guidance and streamline the processes for better clarity and transparency.
Chowdhury clarified that his views expressed in the letter are in his personal capacity, and he serves as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee’s report recommending Mahua Moitra’s expulsion in the “cash-for-query” case is slated to be presented in the lower house on Monday. The committee, in a meeting on November 9, adopted the report proposing Moitra’s removal from Lok Sabha over the allegations of “cash-for-query.”
