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>   Title: Further discussion on the motion for consideration of the Electoral Reforms Commission Bill, 2006 moved by Shri C.K.Chandrappan on 30.11.2007. (Not concluded)     MR. CHAIRMAN: Now, the House will take up further consideration of the Electoral Reforms Commission Bill.

          Shri K.S. Rao – not present.

          Shri Kharabela Swain.

SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN (BALASORE):  Sir, at the very outset, I would like to thank Shri C.K. Chandrappan for moving this Private Member’s Bill with regard to the Electoral Reforms Commission. 

Well, Sir, in this House, on several occasions, the very topic has been debated. I believe  that even if it has been debated several times earlier, still new and new points are being raised and a Forum like the Lok Sabha, the Parliament of this country should continue its discussion. But, Sir, my first point is that Shri Chandrappan has brought it forward in the form of a Bill. He wants that it should be made a law and the Government of India should, within three months from the date of commencement of this Act, set up an Electoral Reforms Commission.  I do not agree with this proposal made by Shri Chandrappan. If he wants to bring in some changes in the electoral process, then, why should it be done through an Electoral Reforms Commission?

          Sir, I do not subscribe to the view of proportional representation. I do not support the manner in which the reservation for women has been sought. But I do support State funding of elections. We do not need to have any Commission because we already have the Indrajit Gupta Commission Report and let the Government tell us as to what they are going to do about this.

 PROF. M. RAMADASS (PONDICHERRY): Sir, I thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to discuss the Electoral Reforms Commission Bill moved by Comrade C.K. Chandrappan. The hon. Members have highlighted various issues because of the simple reason that the Government of India has not taken the desired action on the electoral reforms which are long over-due. The Government itself had constituted a number of Committees including the Indrajit Gupta Committee. The Election Commission has made a number of recommendations prior to electoral reforms. Political analysts and other active groups in the country have pleaded for electoral reforms. [R79]  18.00 hrs. But on the ground that consensus has been evolved, we are unable to bring electoral reforms and perhaps, that must have agitated our comrade, Shri Chandrappan to bring this Bill to this august House.  

          While I appreciate the gesture and the spirit of the Member that we should have an Electoral Reforms Commission, I would feel that there are enough mechanisms in this country which could bring electoral reforms that are required for the country.

MR. CHAIRMAN :  Prof. Ramadass, the time is now 6 p.m.  You may continue next time. 

We will now take up ‘Zero Hour’.  Prof. Rasa Singh Rawat.

BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Forty-Ninth Report