During the last debate in Lok Sabha on pay and perks for the MPs, politicians across the board had demanded that their pay and perks should be the at least the same as the highest Government functionery.They almost got it, along with perks that even the CEOs of big companies would envy. Now, having compared their work with that of Government employees, they should subject themselves to the same or perhaps a stricter code of conduct. The proposed code of conduct should be on lines similar to the All India Services Conduct Rules with the obvious exceptions like the right to participate in political activities and the right to criticise the Government. Lokpal should have the authority to investigate and prosecute public servants for violation this Code of Conduct. The main provisions of these rules, to be framed more rigorously for MPs, MLAs and Panchayat members, will be:

1. They will not be permitted to hold the chairmanship or directorship of any company (both private and public), even if they are the owner. They will have to declare any such directorship held by them five years prior to and till five years after their elected tenure. They will also have to declare any such directorship by their family members and close relatives. This inormation will be available in public domain.

2. For acquiring or accepting any immovable property of any value or any movable property of value more than Rs 25,000.00 either in their own name or in the name of any family member or close relatives, or financing with their money such acquisition by any other person, they will need to inform the designated authority (Lok Sabha Speaker, and so on) before entering into such transaction. If such transaction is with another elected representative or a Government servant or any organisation which has received any financial assistance or concession (like a grant, subsidised land or power or tax exemption) from the Government, then prior permission of the designated authority will be compulsory.

3. They will not be permitted to accept any gift of a value more than Rs 2000.00 from anybody (anonymous donors included, keeping the tricks played by Mayawati in mind) except from their immediate family members. They will have to submit an yearly statement to the designated authority if the total value of such gifts exceeds Rs 20,000 in a year.

4. They will need prior permission from the designated authority before applying for a passport, visa or visit to any foreign company, whether for public or private purposes. For such visits by their family members, they will have to inform the authority.

5. It will be compulsory for them to file income tax and wealth tax returns for themselves and their dependent family members, irrespective of whether it is below or above the taxable limit. Information like those mentioned in items 2 & 3 will have to be compulsorily filed in specially designed return forms for them.

6. If such elected representatives are the designated decision making authorities for government contracts, appointments, tax benefits, grants, waivers or of any matter with financial implications, they will have to recuse themselves from such decisions if they, their family members or close relatives are involed in the case by way of being tenderers, applicants, managers or owners of the organisations involved in the case.

6. Any violation of these conduct rules will be treated as a criminal offence attracting fines, confiscation of illegally acquired assets, recovery of all pay and perks paid to them, imprisonment, expulsion from the elected body and disqualiication from contesting future elctions with minimum punishment laid down for each type of offence. These offences will be investigated by Lokpal or Lokayukta and tried in special courts set up under the Lokpal and Lokayukta Bills and any citizen of the country will be permitted to approach the Lokpal or Lokayukta. Suitable deterrents will be designed to discourage frivolous, vexatious and politically motivated complaints.

7. the conduct rules will remain applicable during the elected tenure and for the next three years. Criminal liability will remain applicable till death.