Parliament worked smoothly back then, says oldest member

New Delhi, May 13 (IANS) Lawmakers should utlise parliament's time instead of wasting it, said one of India's first members of parliament, 92-year-old Rishang Keishing.

"In those days, every thing was peaceful and the system was functioning smoothly," the MP from Manipur said during a debate to mark 60 years of the first sitting of the Indian parliament.

"The speeches were so peaceful. People paid attention. Interaction was cordial. The Question Hour was always important...We did not see an occasion when members rushed to the well of the house," he said.

"But today, I feel a lot of precious time is being wasted on matters not related to the country," he said. "I think we have to utilise this time".

Keishing was a member of the Lok Sabha from 1952-1957 and 1957-61. He is now a Rajya Sabha member.