In Public Interest... Brought To You By Equitymaster PETITION India's Future DARKER THAN COAL!
Citizens: Wake up the Parliament And Energize India's Democracy and Growth Story This is NOT about Coalgate! It's about something much bigger. Just look at our representatives... our Members of Parliament. Since August 21, 2012 the Parliament was embroiled in political positioning and disruptions. Important bills were pending... And yet Parliamentarians STOPPED working. They stopped Legislating and started "Politicking". They focused on power, finger-pointing and selfish gains. They disrupted, created discord, and shouted each other down. The Monsoon Session ended September 7, 2012 - with a 79% loss of days worked! Parliament should be about healthy debate and proactively passing bills to better the country. But now... Parliamentarians are not even showing up for work! Here are just a few hard facts from PRS Legislative Research, a Delhi based independent think tank and Parliament watchdog organization. ✓ Sittings have decreased an alarming 43% and 22% for the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively for 2011 versus the 1950s. ✓ Bills passed declined as much as 44% in the current 15th Lok Sabha - only 40 bills on an average, much lower than the 72 bills in the 1st Lok Sabha. In this recent 2012 Monsoon session, only 4 bills were passed by both houses. ✓ Days lost are NOT just a one-time 2012 Monsoon session occurrence. This disease due to "chronic" disruptions has in fact increased dramatically: * 79% LOSS in the recent "washed out" 2012 Monsoon session * 31% loss or 61 days for all ten sessions of the current 15th Lok Sabha * 30% plus loss in 2011 and as much as * 43% loss in 2010 A 31% loss is like you GETTING PAID FOR NOT WORKING for nearly 2 months in a year, over and above Sundays, holidays and sick leave. A cushy job! ✓ Behaviour is often undignified. Bills have been voted on with shouting and chaos. And Parliament Disruptions cost you a lot more than you imagine! ✓ Direct "Administrative costs" of Rs 2 crore per day is the estimate. So 14 days in this 15th Session costs Rs 28 crores. But this is just the cost of the MPs being at work. ✓ Pending Bills - There are as many as 102 bills pending at the end of 2012 Monsoon Session due to disruptions and other reasons. Some of these bills are essential for India's growth, while some lay the foundation for clean governance - both necessary for a bright future for our country. For example, the Land Acquisition Bill, Lok Pal Bill and the Whistleblower Protection Bill, Direct Tax Code Reform and Pension Bills among many others. And REFORMS, much needed to sustain India's Growth Story seem to have disappeared. And, as a nation, India is losing credibility and investor confidence internationally. And, for you individually, rising food and fuel prices and financial uncertainty continue. These far reaching consequences can impact the very foundation of our democracy. You are irritated, angry and now afraid that we are on a plane without a pilot, about to crash. But the Parliament did Work Better. . . You saw data showing more sittings, more bills passed and lesser disruption in the 1950s. And, "The speeches made, either by the ruling party or opposition, were listened to with rapt attention, and the Interactions were very cordial, very constructive and very peaceful." There were high standards of Parliamentary Democracy... recalled the 92-year-old only surviving MP of the first 1952 1st Lok Sabha, Rishang Keishing, still a MP today. Keishing's speech was greeted with thumping of desks by members from all parties. You can make the Parliament Better again. . . Just as you do, we, Equitymaster saw this as a shameful picture of non-productive, politicking, finger-pointing and unruly, dysfunctional, self focused, arrogant Parliamentarians. And we saw our indifference as citizens. THIS IS A CRISIS of our values and character. THIS IS A CRISIS with our very Democracy at Stake. And our Growth Story. Equitymaster strongly believes that change is critical... we have a lot to gain OR lose! And that's why we're initiating this Petition "Save India's Democracy and Growth Story" We ask that you JOIN US... To help get our country and its democracy, and its Growth Story back on track STOP being a silent spectator that accepts the slow but sure progress of this "chronic" disease DIRECT your frustration, anger and resentment... towards positive change REMEMBER Silence means you agree with what is going on. So... SPEAK UP - and send a message to the Parliament. PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION... ACT NOW. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. It is just a simple click to sign. We will send the signed petition to the President of India. The Winter Session is expected to start on November 22, 2012. We want this Session to be productive and NOT another "lost" session. We want more people to sign this Petition, so that your voice is strong, and together we can bring India's Growth Story back on track. Sign and spread the word to others that care...your family, friends, colleagues and networks. Help create a "Snowball effect" that will sweep through the country... NOW Data Sources: PRS Legislative Research and major Indian and International newspapers. PETITION "Save India's Democracy and Growth Story" We, the undersigned, as citizens of India ask Parliamentarians to set and follow formal, publically declared policies for higher standards of how both Houses will work. We ask that this be implemented at the start of the 2012 Winter Session. And, Constitutional changes to support these policies are made by June 2013. These standards should include: 1. Conduct Parliament with Dignity at all times: Follow the rules for Parliament already laid out... so that debates are more civilized and decorum is maintained. Set an example and make us proud of the Parliament and India. 2. Establish specific Standards for Parliamentarians working: ✓ Have at least 110 sittings per session ✓ Disruptions should NOT BE ALLOWED unless there is a national emergency ✓ Work overtime to make up for any disruptions ✓ Attendance should be at least 75% for each sessions 3. 4. Pass more Bills in a timely manner that will rebuild India's Inclusive Growth Story. 5. Strong penalties if these Parliamentarian work standards are not met: ✓ Suspend MPs for disruptive and unacceptable behavior ✓ Forgo Pay for time not worked Know that the citizens of India are watching... and are hoping Parliamentarians will WAKE UP to this crisis, rebuild our faith in Indian democracy and make us proud! With regards Joseph Navalmar India -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Skorydov MyTaxAssistant Member Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/skorydovmytaxassistant?hl=en.
