India is in 'difficult times' due to growing cases of misconduct by legislators but there is no substitute for democracy, a 'utopian concept' in the neighbourhood, a Parliamentary panel has felt."It is indeed distressing for the Committee that more and more cases of misconduct of members are coming to the fore. These are indeed difficult times," the Committee to inquire into misconduct of members of Lok Sabha said in its report on controversial BJP MP Babubhai Katara.The Committee headed by senior Congress MP V Kishore Chandra Deo said misconduct by legislators do tend to erode the credibility of legislative bodies as also the democratic form of government.But, it said, when it comes to just and effective governance, there cannot be any substitute for democracy. "While in our neighbouring countries democracy has always been a sort of utopian concept, democracy is vibrant and kicking in this country," the report tabled in Lok Sabha said.Noting that it was true that "certain aberrations" have crept in into the system, the committee said sustained efforts were needed to make the democratic system truly effective and cleanse it of various malaises.The panel also observed that while on one side there have been increasing instances of misconduct, on the other, unlike in earlier times, the fraternity of legislators has been "proactive in taking quick punitive action against their own wayward brethren."The panel's observation comes against the backdrop of the 14th Lok Sabha getting the dubious distinction of expelling a record number of members in the cash-for-query scam and also witnessing instances of reprimand and admonition of some other MPs for misconduct.
