Mentor’s Comment: UPSC mains have always focused on Parliamentary Sessions (2017 & 2018) and Parliamentary Powers (2021).

The recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament has been criticized for lacking productivity due to frequent disruptions. These productivity fluctuations indicate broader political tensions and the need for improved collaboration among parliamentary members to enhance governance.

Today’s editorial focuses on Parliamentary productivity and the challenges associated with it. This content can be used to present the current issues faced by our Parliamentary Democracy in India.

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Let’s learn!

Why in the News?

The recent winter session of Parliament (held from November 25 to December 20, 2024) was marred by significant disruptions from both the Opposition and the Treasury benches, resulting in more adjournments than productive discussions. 

• This led to a prevailing feeling of having disappointed the Indian public.

What were the key Legislative Activities?

• Bills introduced and passed: A total of four bills were introduced, including the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, which was passed in both Houses with minimal opposition. This bill aimed to reform civil aviation regulations.
  • Other notable bills included the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, which proposes the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy, and the Coastal Shipping and Merchant Shipping Bills, which focused on maritime industry development.
• Debates and Discussions: The Lok Sabha engaged in discussions about the Constitution for a total of 16 hours, while the Rajya Sabha devoted 17 hours to similar discussions. However, no adjournment motions were accepted in either House.
  • The proposal for ‘One Nation, One Election’ sparked considerable debate, with the government advocating for it as a cost-saving measure while the Opposition raised concerns about its implications for federalism.
  • A special session was held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Constitution, although it was overshadowed by ongoing protests.
  • Further, the session saw significant protests and chaos, primarily driven by the Opposition’s demands for discussions on various issues, including allegations against the Adani Group and remarks made regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
• Supplementary Budget: The first supplementary budget for 2024-25 was discussed and passed, providing an additional expenditure of ₹44,143 crore (approximately 1% of total budgeted expenditure) to enhance financial operations.

What were the challenges faced in the session?

• Physical Altercations: Scuffles occurred among MPs, resulting in injuries and an FIR against the Leader of the Opposition.
  • Parliamentary Affairs Minister attributed the lack of productivity to persistent demonstrations by the Opposition. Emphasis was laid on the requirement of all parties to collaborate to restore parliamentary decorum.
• Question Hour Ineffectiveness: In the Rajya Sabha, Question Hour did not function for 15 out of 19 days, while in the Lok Sabha, it was ineffective for over 10 minutes on 12 out of 20 days.
  • The session was heavily impacted by protests and disruptions, resulting in the Lok Sabha losing approximately 65 hours of productive time.
  • This significantly reduced overall productivity, with Lok Sabha functioning at only 52% of its scheduled time and Rajya Sabha at 39%.
• Private Members’ Business: There was minimal engagement in private members’ business; no bills were debated in the Lok Sabha, and only one resolution was discussed in the Rajya Sabha.

Way Forward: The Winter Session has been described as one of the least productive in recent years, reflecting a troubling trend in parliamentary proceedings. With ongoing tensions and frequent disruptions, political parties must prioritize effective governance and uphold the dignity of Parliament.