Editorial
Ministerial absenteeism in JS
A blow to functioning of parliament
Irked by 80 per cent of the ministers remaining absent from budget discussion Tuesday, a member of parliament came down heavily on what he saw as ministerial absenteeism. It is learnt that ministers' attendance in parliament ranges between 40 and 60 per cent. While the prime minister and Leader of the House despite her busy schedules could make time to attend parliamentary discussions regularly, absenteeism of others comes to bold relief . And the persistent issue of lack of quorum, not to speak of the Opposition's frequent boycott of the JS, completes the erosion of parliament as an institution and a cornerstone of democracy.
In a manner of speaking the JS has been reduced to two-member House in that whatever the prime minister commands is followed by Awami League lawmakers, while whatever the Opposition leader says and does the BNP MPs abide by. Small wonder in place of lively and worthwhile debates on issues one often finds much of MPs' speeches is filled with introductory remarks of expression of loyalty to the leader of the House.
The favourite theme in the ruling party is whatever is being said and done by the party in power is an example of unmixed good. On the other hand, all that had been said and done during the BNP rule deserved to be condemned.
The above is a narrative of the gradual decline of parliament as a vibrant and a functional institution of democracy. It is a House of the people which cannot be denigrated and rendered dysfunctional either by absentee ruling party MPs or by boycotting opposition.
And finally, they must live up to their given roles as the elected representatives of their constituencies and the trust of the electorate vested in them.
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