A Call for a More Productive Parliament

Syllabus: GS2/Polity

Context

• Recent trends in parliamentary behavior have raised concerns about the decline in standards and the impact on public trust by disruptions, disturbances, and commotion in the House.

Background

• India, often celebrated as the world’s largest democracy, has witnessed a significant decline in the standards of its parliamentary democracy in recent years.
• It is evident in various aspects, including the quality of debates, legislative productivity, and the overall decorum within the Parliament.
• In winter Session 2024, over 32% of scheduled time was lost due to disruptions.
• In Budget Session 2024, Lok Sabha functioned for only 45% of its scheduled time, and Rajya Sabha for a mere 31%.
• The frequent walkouts and decreasing productivity are the major incidents that have happened in the House of democracy. 

Major Causes of Disruptions

• Political Strategy: Opposition parties often use disruptions as a strategy to draw attention to specific issues and pressure the government.
• Lack of Consensus: Disagreements between the ruling party and the opposition on the agenda and priorities can lead to deadlocks.
• Contentious Legislation: Lack of pre-legislative consultations leads to resistance and disagreements.
• Demand for Debates: Calls for comprehensive debates on critical issues, such as economic policies, foreign relations, and social justice, often result in disruptions when not accommodated.

Key Issues & Impacts

• Erosion of Parliamentary Decorum: The frequent disruptions, walkouts, and unruly behavior by members of Parliament (MPs) have become commonplace.
  • These disruptions not only waste valuable legislative time but also undermine the dignity and sanctity of the parliamentary institution.
• Decline in Quality of Debates: Instead of engaging in substantive discussions on policy issues, debates often devolve into personal attacks and political grandstanding.
  • This shift from meaningful deliberation to partisan bickering has hindered the Parliament’s ability to effectively address the pressing issues facing the nation.
• Legislative Productivity: Legislative productivity, measured by the number of bills passed and the quality of legislation, has also suffered. The trend of passing bills without adequate debate and scrutiny has increased.
  • This practice not only undermines the legislative process but also raises concerns about the quality and effectiveness of the laws being enacted.
• Underutilising Parliamentary Committees: The declining reliance on these committees has weakened the checks and balances essential for a healthy democracy.
  • The bypassing of committee scrutiny has led to the passage of laws without thorough examination, resulting in poorly drafted legislation.
• Impact on Public Trust: A dysfunctional parliament not only dents India’s image on the global stage but also weakens its leadership role in the international community.
  • There is a pressing need for a collective commitment to uphold procedural integrity and mutual respect.
• Impact on Policy Making: Constructive debates and discussions are essential for addressing the concerns of all stakeholders and for the formulation of balanced policies.
  • When disruptions occur, they stifle these debates, leading to poorly informed decisions that may not adequately address the needs of the populace.

Possible Solutions

• Strengthening Parliamentary Rules: Implementing stricter rules and penalties for disruptions can help maintain order.
  • It includes the enforcement of a Code of Conduct for legislators; modifying the Anti-Defection law Act
• Promoting Dialogue: Encouraging dialogue and consensus-building between the government and opposition can reduce conflicts.
• Public Accountability: Increasing transparency and public accountability of MPs’ conduct can deter disruptive behavior.
  • It includes enabling Public Interest Legislation that will enable MPs to hear the viewpoints of affected citizens and initiate appropriate policy responses.

Role of the Opposition

• The Opposition in any democracy plays a pivotal role in scrutinizing government actions, proposing alternative policies, and representing diverse viewpoints. 
• In India, the Opposition’s role is enshrined in the parliamentary system, where it is expected to challenge the government and ensure that all voices are heard.
• However, this role often leads to confrontations and disruptions, especially when the Opposition feels sidelined or when critical issues are not addressed adequately.

Proposed Measures

• Reforming the Agenda-Setting Process: Currently, the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) decides the daily agenda through consensus, giving each party a veto.
  • It can be modified to a majority decision to prevent any single party from blocking discussions.
• Mandatory Discussions on Notices: Introducing a rule that any motion or discussion must be taken up if a certain number of MPs submit a written notice.
  • For example, a no-confidence motion requires just 50 MPs to be admitted.
• Strengthening Parliamentary Committees: Empowering committees to scrutinize bills and policies more effectively can reduce the need for disruptions in the main chambers.
  • Committees can provide detailed reports and recommendations, ensuring thorough examination of issues.
• Improving Transparency and Communication: Enhancing transparency in parliamentary proceedings and ensuring better communication between the government and opposition can help address grievances before they escalate into disruptions.
• Penalizing Unwarranted Disruptions: Implementing penalties for MPs who repeatedly disrupt proceedings without valid reasons can act as a deterrent.
  • It could include suspension or reduction in allowances.
• Increasing the Number of Working Days: Ensuring that Parliament meets for a sufficient number of days each year can provide ample time for discussions, reducing the pressure to disrupt proceedings to get issues addressed.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The declining standards in India’s parliamentary democracy pose a significant threat to the country’s democratic ethos. 
• To restore the Parliament’s credibility and effectiveness, there is a need for concerted efforts to improve the quality of debates, enhance legislative productivity, and uphold parliamentary decorum. 
• Strengthening the role of parliamentary committees and ensuring a more inclusive and participatory legislative process are essential steps towards revitalizing India’s parliamentary democracy.

Source: IE