Sansad Ratna awards conferred on five Parliamentarians

CHENNAI: Four first time Lok Sabha MPs were among five Parliamentarians who were honoured with the ' Sansad Ratna' Awards here today. Former RBI governor C Rangarajan gave away the awards.

The awards, instituted by Prime Point Foundation and e-magazine PreSense, were given to five Lok Sabha MPs and one former Rajya Sabha member for their performance in Parliament.

BJP's PP Chaudhary, representing Pali in Rajasthan, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, BJP MP from Nandurbar, Shrirang Appa Barne, Shivsena MP from Maval and Congress MP Raajeev Shankarrao Satav from Hingoli, all three from Maharashtra, were the first time MPs who were awarded the 'Sansad Ratna.'

Two-time Shiv Sena MP from Shirur in Maharashtra, Shivaji Adhalrao Patil, and former RS member and CPI (M) leader from Kerala, P Rajeev, were also honoured for their work.

The recipient of the awards, instituted following a suggestion from the former president APJ Abdul Kalam that MPs be honoured by civil society for performance, were picked by a selection committee, comprising Union Minister Hansraj G Ahir, BJP Chief whip Arjun Ram Meghwal, and five time MP Anandrao Adsul.

The certificates issued to them highlighted each of their participation in several debates, moving a number of private member bills, raising over 300-500 questions individually and a high attendance percentage in Parliament.

In his address, Rangarajan, a former nominated RS member, rued the frequent disruptions in Parliament and said the members of the House should "bear the responsibility for the maintenance of dignity and decorum."

While members can on occasions register their protest through walkouts and other forms, he said, "A debate or an issue has to be won by cogent arguments and not by raising the voice or by any other means."

"Parliament today is not merely a law making body but has become a multi-functional institution performing a wide variety of roles with grievance ventilation and redressal having secured prime importance," Rangarajan said.