{"id":33591,"date":"2024-12-12T18:04:15","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T12:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=33591"},"modified":"2024-12-12T18:04:16","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T12:34:16","slug":"call-for-a-more-productive-parliament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/editorial-analysis\/12-12-2024\/call-for-a-more-productive-parliament","title":{"rendered":"A Call for a More Productive Parliament"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India, often celebrated as the world\u2019s largest democracy, has witnessed a significant decline in the standards of its parliamentary democracy in recent years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is evident in various aspects, including the <strong>quality of debates, legislative productivity, and the overall decorum within the Parliament.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In winter Session 2024, over 32% of scheduled time was lost due to disruptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In Budget Session 2024,<strong> <\/strong>Lok Sabha functioned for only 45% of its scheduled time, and Rajya Sabha for a mere 31%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The frequent walkouts and decreasing productivity <\/strong>are the major incidents that have happened in the House of democracy.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Causes of Disruptions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Political Strategy:<\/strong> Opposition parties often use disruptions as a strategy to draw attention to specific issues and pressure the government.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Consensus:<\/strong> Disagreements between the ruling party and the opposition on the agenda and priorities can lead to deadlocks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contentious Legislation:<\/strong> Lack of pre-legislative consultations leads to resistance and disagreements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Demand for Debates:<\/strong> Calls for comprehensive debates on critical issues, such as economic policies, foreign relations, and social justice, often result in disruptions when not accommodated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Issues &amp; Impacts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Erosion of Parliamentary Decorum: <\/strong>The frequent disruptions, walkouts, and unruly behavior by members of Parliament (MPs) have become commonplace.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These disruptions not only waste valuable legislative time but also undermine the dignity and sanctity of the parliamentary institution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decline in Quality of Debates: <\/strong>Instead of engaging in substantive discussions on policy issues, debates often devolve into personal attacks and political grandstanding.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This shift from meaningful deliberation to partisan bickering has hindered the Parliament\u2019s ability to effectively address the pressing issues facing the nation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legislative Productivity: <\/strong>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.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This practice not only undermines the legislative process but also raises concerns about the quality and effectiveness of the laws being enacted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Underutilising Parliamentary Committees: <\/strong>The declining reliance on these committees has weakened the checks and balances essential for a healthy democracy.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bypassing of committee scrutiny has led to the passage of laws without thorough examination, resulting in poorly drafted legislation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact on Public Trust: <\/strong>A dysfunctional parliament not only dents India\u2019s image on the global stage but also weakens its leadership role in the international community.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>There is a pressing need for a collective commitment to uphold procedural integrity and mutual respect.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact on Policy Making: <\/strong>Constructive debates and discussions are essential for addressing the concerns of all stakeholders and for the formulation of balanced policies.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When disruptions occur, they stifle these debates, leading to poorly informed decisions that may not adequately address the needs of the populace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Possible Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strengthening Parliamentary Rules:<\/strong> Implementing stricter rules and penalties for disruptions can help maintain order.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It includes the <strong>enforcement of a Code of Conduct<\/strong> for legislators; <strong>modifying the Anti-Defection law Act<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promoting Dialogue:<\/strong> Encouraging dialogue and consensus-building between the government and opposition can reduce conflicts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public Accountability: <\/strong>Increasing transparency and public accountability of MPs\u2019 conduct can deter disruptive behavior.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It includes <strong>enabling Public Interest Legislation<\/strong> that will enable MPs to hear the viewpoints of affected citizens and initiate appropriate policy responses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Role of the Opposition<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Opposition in any democracy plays a pivotal role in scrutinizing government actions, proposing alternative policies, and representing diverse viewpoints.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In India, the Opposition\u2019s role is enshrined in the parliamentary system, where it is expected to challenge the government and ensure that all voices are heard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, this role often leads to confrontations and disruptions, especially when the Opposition feels sidelined or when critical issues are not addressed adequately.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Proposed Measures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reforming the Agenda-Setting Process:<\/strong> Currently, the <strong>Business Advisory Committee (BAC)<\/strong> decides the daily agenda through consensus, giving each party a veto.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It can be modified to a majority decision to prevent any single party from blocking discussions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandatory Discussions on Notices:<\/strong> Introducing a rule that any motion or discussion must be taken up if a certain number of MPs submit a written notice.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For example, a no-confidence motion requires just 50 MPs to be admitted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening Parliamentary Committees:<\/strong> Empowering committees to scrutinize bills and policies more effectively can reduce the need for disruptions in the main chambers.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Committees can provide detailed reports and recommendations, ensuring thorough examination of issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improving Transparency and Communication:<\/strong> Enhancing transparency in parliamentary proceedings and ensuring better communication between the government and opposition can help address grievances before they escalate into disruptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Penalizing Unwarranted Disruptions:<\/strong> Implementing penalties for MPs who repeatedly disrupt proceedings without valid reasons can act as a deterrent.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It could include suspension or reduction in allowances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Increasing the Number of Working Days:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion and Way Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The declining standards in India\u2019s parliamentary democracy pose a significant threat to the country\u2019s democratic ethos.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To restore the Parliament\u2019s credibility and effectiveness, there is a need for concerted efforts to improve the quality of debates, enhance legislative productivity, and uphold parliamentary decorum.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthening the role of parliamentary committees and ensuring a more inclusive and participatory legislative process are essential steps towards revitalizing India\u2019s parliamentary democracy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Daily Mains Practice Question<\/strong><br><strong>[Q]<\/strong> Analyze the significance of maintaining decorum and respectful discourse in parliamentary debates. How can disruptive behavior undermine the democratic process and hinder effective policymaking?<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/m-venkaiah-naidu-writes-dont-disrupt-the-house-of-debate-9714006\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source: IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-editorial-analysis"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33591"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33591\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33592,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33591\/revisions\/33592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}