Kageri: Decline in values in politics, bureaucracy

NT Correspondent

State Legislative Assembly Speaker V i s h w e s h w a r Hegde Kageri on Friday lamented that the deterioration in values and ethics was not confined to politics alone but has permeated into the bureaucracy as well as judiciary. 
“We elected representatives as well as opinion makers, need to address this crucial issue at the earliest,” he said, while addressing newly-elected legislators on the second day of the two-day training camp held at Vikasa Soudha here. Kageri said this degeneration of values has the potential to take the state to anarchy and needs to be stopped immediately. “I feel that we are caught in a vicious whirlpool, going by the happenings around us. A robust debate inside and outside the legislature is the need of the hour.” 

Calling on legislators to involve themselves in an “intense and honest introspection” about the state of affairs, the Speaker said members of the Upper House can take up the issue for discussion and throw light on ways and means to rectify the situation. “I have had a couple of programmes on finding ways to halt the decline in parliamentary values. Many experts have given their opinion. This should become an ongoing exercise”.

The Speaker said he will explore the possibility of earmarking two days for a discussion on the need for electoral reforms during the legislature session starting February 14. “I intend to take up this issue in the second week of the session. I will discuss the matter with the floor leaders of all parties in the Business Advisory Committee (BAC)”.

Asserting that India has the best Constitution not found anywhere in the world, the Speaker said it took shape after robust and animated discussion and has stood the test of time. “It (Constitution) is comprehensive and meticulous and has answers to all questions and challenges for all time to come.”