Chartered Accountant Anand Goolsarran says Parliamentarians owe it to the citizenry, to engage in respectful and intelligent budget debates.
In his most recent commentary published in the January 16th edition of the Stabroek News, Goolsarran said the National Assembly will meet in the following weeks where policy leaders will deliver their 2023 budget contributions as well as deliberate on budget estimates. During that time, he said Members of Parliament (MPs) must conduct themselves in a manner befitting the position they hold as elected representatives.
In the execution of their duties, Goolsarran said MPs should be guided by the Code of Conduct contained in the Integrity Commission Act. He said, “The ugly and most disgraceful spectacle witnessed during the consideration of the Natural Resource Fund Bill (in December 2021) should never be allowed to repeat itself… “
While some degree of heckling and cross-talks are considered acceptable, Goolsarran said the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir has the solemn duty to ensure that they do not degenerate into insults, personal vilification, and character assassinations.
“He must be even-handed on both sides of the House. The debate should be a healthy one, and each participant should be allowed to express his/her views without any form of interruption, subject to agreed time limits for each presenter,” expressed the former Auditor General.
If there is merit in any arguments that may require an amendment to the Estimates, he said the national interest dictates that this be done. In closing, Goolsarran said parliamentarians must eschew taking positions based on narrow political interests. The former Auditor General said they should be allowed to take positions based on their conscience after reflecting on the arguments presented.
He opined as well that boycotts and walk-outs should be a thing of the past as they serve no useful purpose and are an abrogation of responsibility.
