Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed deep disappointment on Monday over an unresolved controversy that has raised questions about ethical accountability in Parliament.
A wad of Rs 500 notes was found on December 6 in the Rajya Sabha chamber, placed on the seat allotted to Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi. The discovery, during the winter session, sparked a political uproar, with opposition and ruling party members trading barbs. Singhvi demanded an investigation into what he termed a “serious security lapse,” even suggesting glass enclosures to prevent anyone from planting items such as “ganja” in MPs’ absence.
Dhankhar’s “painful” observation
Speaking at a book launch, Dhankhar reflected on the incident with visible frustration. “Just imagine my pain. A month ago, a wad of Rs 500 notes was found in the Rajya Sabha. What truly pains me is that no one has come forward to claim it,” he said.
Calling it a “serious issue,” the Vice President remarked that carrying currency notes might occasionally be necessary, but the lack of accountability was a “collective challenge to our ethical standards.”
Ethical standards in question
Dhankhar lamented the state of ethics in Parliament, pointing out that the Rajya Sabha only formed an ethics committee in the late 1990s. Despite the brilliant credentials and experience of MPs, he suggested their actions are often dictated by party lines rather than personal integrity.
“As chairman of the Rajya Sabha, I can say every MP is a resource of immense value. But when it comes to action, they are guided by someone else,” he observed, referring to how party directives often lead to disruptions in the House.
