Sameer Wani
SRINAGAR, July 9: The Committee on Ethics of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday discussed measures to strengthen ethical governance and enhance public confidence in parliamentary institutions, resolving to formulate a comprehensive Code of Conduct for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
The meeting was chaired by MLA Nizam-Ud-Din Bhat and attended by legislators Salman Sagar, Peerzada Feroze, Kuldeep Raj Dubey, Satish Kumar, Surinder Kumar, and Arvind Gupta, along with senior officers of the Assembly Secretariat.
During the meeting, the Committee deliberated on establishing a robust ethical framework to promote accountability, integrity, and transparency in public life. Members unanimously emphasized the need to uphold high ethical standards and core democratic values to guide the conduct and responsibilities of elected representatives.
To reinforce ethical practices, the Committee resolved to prepare a comprehensive Code of Conduct that will serve as an institutional guide for members of the Legislative Assembly.
Recognizing the importance of ethics in public service, the Committee also decided to organize an orientation programme for all legislators. The programme will include a comparative study of the functioning of Ethics Committees in various State Legislatures, as well as in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, to adopt established best practices.
The Committee further stressed the need for study tours to observe the functioning of ethics committees in other legislatures and gain practical insights into effective institutional mechanisms.
In addition, the Committee resolved to broaden its engagement with external stakeholders by consulting universities, academic institutions, and civic organizations. The outreach aims to gather diverse perspectives on public expectations and help define contemporary ethical standards for the conduct of public representatives, both inside and outside the House.
The Committee reiterated its commitment to strengthening institutional integrity and fostering greater public trust in the legislative process through a transparent and accountable ethical framework.
