This story is from June 11, 2016
Lok Sabha
MPs were among five Parliamentarians who were honoured with the 'Sansad Ratna' Awards here today. Former RBI governorC Rangarajan
gave away the awards. The awards, instituted byPrime Point Foundation
and emagazine PreSense, were given to five Lok Sabha MPs and one formerRajya Sabha
member for their performance inParliament
. BJP's PP Chaudhary, representingPali
in Rajasthan, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, BJP MP from Nandurbar, Shrirang Appa Barne, Shivsena MP fromMaval
and Congress MPRaajeev Shankarrao Satav
fromHingoli
, all three from Maharashtra, were the first time MPs who were awarded the 'Sansad Ratna.' Two-time Shiv Sena MP fromShirur
in Maharashtra, ShivajiAdhalrao Patil
, and former RS member and CPI (M) leader from Kerala, P Rajeev, were also honoured for their work. The recipient of the awards, instituted following a suggestion from the former president APJ Abdul Kalam that MPs be honoured by civil society for performance, were picked by a selection committee, comprising Union MinisterHansraj G Ahir
, BJP Chief whip Arjun Ram Meghwal, and five time MPAnandrao Adsul
. The certificates issued to them highlighted each of their participation in several debates, moving a number of private member bills, raising over 300-500 questions individually and a high attendance percentage in Parliament. In his address, Rangarajan, a former nominated RS member, rued the frequent disruptions in Parliament and said the members of theHouse
should "bear the responsibility for the maintenance of dignity and decorum." While members can on occasions register their protest through walkouts and other forms, he said, "A debate or an issue has to be won by cogent arguments and not by raising the voice or by any other means." "Parliament today is not merely a law making body but has become a multi-functional institution performing a wide variety of roles with grievance ventilation and redressal having secured prime importance," Rangarajan said. SA BN DIP