5. On Parliament and State Legislatures

1. The privileges of legislators should be defined and delimited for the free and independent functioning of Parliament and

state legislatures.

2. Article 105 may be amended to clarify that the immunity enjoyed by members under parliamentary privileges does not cover corrupt acts committed by them in connection with their duties in the House or otherwise. Further, no court would take cognizance of any offence arising out of a member’s action in the House without prior sanction of the Speaker / Chairman. Article 194 may also be similarly amended in relation to the members of state legislatures.

3. The domiciliary requirement for eligibility to contest elections to Rajya Sabha from the concerned state should be maintained. This is essential to ensure the federal character of the Rajya Sabha.

4. The MP local area development scheme should be discontinued.

5. The Election Commission should be empowered to identify and declare the various offices under the central and state governments to be 'offices of profit’ for the purposes of being chosen, and for being, a member of the appropriate legislature.

6. Immediate steps be taken to set up a Nodal Standing Committee on National Economy.

7. A Standing Constitution Committee of the two Houses of Parliament for a priori scrutiny of constitutional amendment proposals should be set up.

8. A new Legislation Committee of Parliament to oversee and coordinate legislative planning should be constituted.

9. The existing Parliamentary Committees on Estimates, Public Undertakings and Subordinate Legislation may not be continued.

10. The Parliamentarians must voluntarily place themselves open to public scrutiny through a parliamentary ombudsman.

11. The State Legislatures with less than 70 members should meet for at least 50 days in a year and other State Legislatures for at least 90 days. Similarly, the minimum number of days for sittings of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha should be fixed at 100 and 120 days respectively.

12. A Study Group outside Parliament for study of procedural reforms should be set up.