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Journalism of Courage
An Independent Rajya Sabha member on Thursday openly declared his association with Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Limited while taking part in a debate in the House,prompting CPM MP Brinda Karat to write to Chairman Hamid Ansari asking him to disallow members who have such links from participating in discussions on related issues.
Parimal Nathwani from Jharkhand caused a flutter when he said he was associated with RIL and argued that the MoU (for gas sharing) is between two brothers and two companies,and the company has not violated any terms. He objected to repeated references to the MoU and said it was a private matter between two companies which outsiders had no knowledge of.
While Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan said Nathwani was only adhering to the ethics committee rules by disclosing his association,Karat in her letter pointed out that she believed strongly that it does not strengthen or uphold the dignity of the House when a direct employee of a business company should use the floor of the House to put forward the point of view of the company concerned. To me it is strongly objectionable. The floor of the House cannot and should not be allowed to be used in this manner. Given the reality that industrialists or their associates/ employees are honourable members of this House,it may become a common occurrence and will therefore extend from a conflict of interest to a conflict with the dignity of the House.
Karat appealed to the Chairman to re-look and reconsider the rule to ensure that in that particular debate,which directly affects the company in which he/she is involved,the member should not participate in the debate.
