Lok Sabha Ethics Committee: History, Constitution, and Members

What is the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee?

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is a parliamentary committee constituted by the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India. It is responsible for overseeing the moral and ethical conduct of the Members of Parliament (MPs) and for examining cases of misconduct referred to it.

Why is the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee important?

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is important because it plays a vital role in upholding the ethical standards of the Indian Parliament. It is a watchdog body that ensures that MPs adhere to the highest moral standards while carrying out their legislative and other duties. The Committee also plays an important role in protecting the image and reputation of Parliament.

History of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee was first constituted in 2000. It was set up following a recommendation by the Presiding Officers Conference, which is a meeting of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Constitution of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is constituted by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for a period of one year. The committee consists of 15 members, including the chairman. The members are appointed from different political parties in proportion to their strength in the Lok Sabha.

Composition of the Committee

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is composed of members from all major political parties. The committee is also composed of a mix of experienced and new members.

Appointment of members

The members of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee are appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Speaker consults with the leaders of the various political parties in the Lok Sabha before appointing the members of the committee.

Tenure of members

The members of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee serve for a period of one year. The members can be reappointed for another term by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Powers and Functions of the Committee

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee has the following powers and functions:

• To examine any question referred to it by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha about the conduct of any member of the Lok Sabha.
• To recommend to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha any action that should be taken against any member of the Lok Sabha who is found to have violated the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament.
• To suggest any measures to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to improve the ethical standards of the members of the Lok Sabha

Experience and expertise of members

The members of the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of experience. Some members are lawyers, while others are academics, journalists, or activists. There are also several members who have served in ministerial positions.

Conclusion

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee is an important body that plays a vital role in upholding the ethical standards of India's parliament. The committee is composed of a diverse group of members with a wide range of experience. The Committee has the power to investigate complaints against members of parliament for violating the Code of Conduct and to recommend disciplinary action.