| PYQ Relevance: Mains: Q. The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention? (UPSC CSE 2013) Q. To what extent, in your view, the Parliament can ensure accountability of the executive in India? (UPSC CSE 2021) Prelims: We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? (UPSC CSE 2021) 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited. 2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. Select the correct answer using the code given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 only(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 |
Note4Students:
Mains: Parliamentary Democracy;
Mentors Comment: We Indians have been through ‘thick and thin’ as our Democracy has evolved. Since the 16th and 17th Loksabha, all have been doubts relating to the accountability of people’s Representation in Parliament due to the reduced Debates and discussions in Parliamentary sessions. Now, as we move towards the general election of 2024, the question arises: will history repeat itself? Or, will a new precedent be set? This prompts us, as citizens of India, to reflect on the performance of our Parliament as we wait to usher in the 18th Lok Sabha.
Let’s learn.
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Why in the News?
The present conduct of business in both Houses of Parliament points out the need for a revitalization of legislative engagement in a more constructive manner.
- The 17th Lok Sabha (2019-2024) concluded its proceedings marking the culmination of a journey with unexpected twists and turns.
How did Ministries fare during the 17th Loksabha?
- Decline in Executive Accountability: The PMO found itself flooded with 1,146 questions from Rajya Sabha Members of Parliament, of which only 28 were answered. Similarly, the House of the People also witnessed a sharp decline, from 5,000 during the 15th and 16th Lok Sabhas to a mere 1,700 in the 17th Lok Sabha.
- Ministry of Finance tasked with steering the nation’s fiscal destiny, has witnessed a gradual erosion of parliamentary interest, declining to the fourth and fifth position in the Parliament.
- Decline in Legislative Process: The annual average of Bills passed declined from 65 in the 1952-1990 period to 48 in 1991-2023. The number of Bills sent to committees for scrutiny also dwindled consistently, with the 17th Lok Sabha sending only 16% of Bills for scrutiny, the lowest in the past four Lok Sabhas.
- A decline in Debates and Discussions: Before 1990, each Lok Sabha typically convened for over 550 days on average, spanning 3,500 hours. The 17th Lok Sabha had the least number of sittings, only 274 days on average.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs, which was the Ministry with the second most number of questions directed towards it till the 15th Lok Sabha, has now faded. This shift raises questions about the nation’s priorities.
- Decline in the use of various parliamentary tools:
- Calling Attention Motion: It is a vital tool allowing MPs to draw attention to issues and elicit responses from ministers was extensively used between 1957 and 1990, with an average of 300 notices allowed per Lok Sabha. Post-1990, only 40 notices have been allowed per Lok Sabha. The 17th Lok Sabha allowed only one such discussion.
- For example, the Winter Session, 2023 of the Rajya Sabha missed a crucial discussion on the sensitive and key issue of ‘Suicides among students due to competitive exams’.
- The Adjournment Motion: It is employed to address urgent issues with a subsequent vote, and serves as an expression of disagreement with the government’s policies. Pre-1990, the Lok Sabha permitted discussion and voting on four such motions on average. Post-1990, this number decreased to three. The 16th and 17th Lok Sabha allowed no adjournment motions.
- Ministries such as Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs, Defence, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Finance, made up 36.6% of all disallowed questions in Rajya Sabha. In contrast, in the Lok Sabha, they made up 37.8% of the disallowed questions, underscoring systemic challenges.
Way Forward:
- Need for 15-point Reform: As recommended by the Vice President, it is required to make the Charter function effectively and efficiently by ensuring that the members of the committee are nominated based on domain knowledge and for a longer assured term.
- Need to work on Democratic Principles: To maximize the Parliament’s ability to hold the executive accountable, it is crucial to promote a conducive environment for constructive debate, scrutiny, and oversight.
https://www.thehindu.com/data/the-many-lows-of-the-17th-lok-sabha-data/article67852889.ece
