NEW DELHI: After their plans for beacon lights on vehicles went awry, parliamentarians are unlikely to get an upgrade in the protocol anytime soon.
The Centre has constituted a sub-committee to look into the recommendation that MPs be put at par with 'chief justices of high courts (outside their jurisdiction)' and chairpersons of four statutory commissions/tribunals in the warrant of precedence. The government has, in fact, clubbed various demands for change in protocol for a holistic examination.
According to the home ministry, the recommendation of the parliamentary panel on privileges to put MPs at par with chief justices would require consultation with the Chief Justice of India, as laid out in a key Supreme Court judgment.
The tricky nature of the case, with obvious sensitivities for the judiciary, has resulted in the ministry handing over the issue to a sub-panel headed by the home secretary.
Calling it a "delicate balance" between various dignitaries, sources said the alteration of protocol requires thorough examination and the sub-panel's recommendation will be considered by the 'committee on table of precedence' that is in place in the home ministry to decide on the issue. The order of precedence is followed for official courtesies like seating arrangement in official functions.
The decision for minute study of the issue is being interpreted as government putting the matter in cold storage. After the refusal to give beacons on cars, this is the second blow to Parliament members anxious for an elevation in protocol.
The MPs are placed 21st in the protocol list, below ambassadors, certain officials and chairpersons of statutory bodies. The privileges panel said the members be put at par with 'chief justices of high courts outside their jurisdiction', arguing the list does not reflect the correct standing of responsibilities.
The pause in promotion in protocol follows Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's decision to nix the plan to allow parliamentarians to use beacon lights on cars. The diktat from the UPA chief scuppered the informally sewn agreement between representatives of MPs and the home ministry.
The home ministry had agreed to permit MPs to use beacons with the exception of VIP area of Delhi (New Delhi region), as first reported by TOI.
However, Sonia told a Congress parliamentary party meeting that the move would be unpopular with people. "As Congress president, I cannot accept this," she told the MPs.
With beacons gone, the MPs have been banking on a leg-up in protocol.
Protocol leg-up to MPs in deep freeze?
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Protocol leg-up to MPs in deep freeze?
