'Indian parliament should provide solution to black money'

Chennai, April 14 (IANS) Black money, corrupt electoral practices and mismanagement of resources are three problems dogging the country and parliament should give solutions to them, said former governor of West Bengal Gopalkrishna Gandhi here Saturday.

"It is time parliament gave India solutions to three important problems - a solution to the ogre of black money, a solution to the related demon of corrupt practices, including the use of intimidation in elections, and a solution to what Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (former president) called widespread inefficiency and gross mismanagement of resources," Gandhi said at a function organised by Prime Point Foundation to honour MPs.

Stating that parliament represented the essences of India, Gandhi said: "...I think, that not just individuals but parliament as a whole passes tests - rigorous, exemplary tests. What is important is that the integrated will of the people is reflected in the body of the essences of India...."

"I do not and never shall subscribe to the cynical diminishing of our parliament that some attempt. I do not and shall not join in any chorus of abuse hurled at that institution. For, to call parliament by any synonym of slander is to slander ourselves," he said.

Citing the laws against dowry, domestic violence, untouchability and right to information passed by parliament, Gandhi said the legislatures have responded to public opinion and campaigns.

"Let us not judge parliament by its low tides. Let us not measure its benchmarks by the lines left on its side by receding foam-lines of sediment and dross. They do not represent the golden mean," Gandhi said.

Earlier, at a seminar on 'Youth in Politics and Governance', Congress MP from Tamil Nadu S.S. Ramasubbu said the media showed only the wrongs in politics and an opinion was created among people that politicians were bad. He said nearly 60 percent of the politicians were honest and media should focus on them and be optimistic.

According to Ramasubbu, the regional parties were endangering democracy by giving freebies and bribing the voters. "People and youth look at elections as festival, money and freebies," Ramasubbu said.

Journalist Bhagwan Singh said the national parties neglected the aspirations of the people resulting in the growth of regional parties.

"The opposition parties disrupt parliament while the members of the ruling party do nothing but make money," Singh said.

Two Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs and one each from the Shiv Sena and the Congress were awarded the Sansad Ratna Award-2012 for raising the highest number of questions and participating in parliamentary debates.

According to the data compiled by PRS Legislative Research, till March 30, Shiv Sena's Anandrao Adsul, BJP's Hansraj Gangaram and Arjun Ram Meghwal and Congress's S.S. Ramasubbu ranked as the top performers in terms of raising questions, introducing private members' bills, and participating in debates and attendance, said K. Srinivasan, founder, Prime Point Foundation.