17-December-2024-Editorial

CHALLENGES IN THE FUNCTIONING OF PARLIAMENT IN INDIA

The former Vice President of India recently emphasized the need for improving parliamentary functioning by transitioning from confrontational politics to meaningful and constructive debates. Ensuring parliamentary decorum and building consensus are critical for strengthening democracy and maintaining public trust.

Challenges in the Functioning of Parliament

Frequent Disruptions

• Repeated disruptions, mainly due to opposition protests, waste time and hinder legislative work.
• This often results in passing bills without sufficient debate, reducing their quality and effectiveness.
• Example: In the 2023 Winter Session, 141 opposition MPs were suspended due to protests over security breaches in Parliament.

Political Polarization

• Increasing political polarization between the ruling and opposition parties leads to adversarial politics.
• Such division stalls legislative progress and hampers consensus-building required for good governance.

Low Participation in Sessions

• Despite an average attendance of 79% during the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024), active participation in debates remains limited.
• For instance, MPs participated in only 45 debates on average during this period.
• Example: The 2021 Budget Session witnessed a decline in attendance to 69% due to the pandemic.

Poor Quality of Legislation

• Insufficient discussion and hasty passage of bills often undermine their clarity and effectiveness.
• Example: The RTI Amendment Bill, 2019 faced criticism for weakening the independence of the Information Commission due to inadequate stakeholder consultation.

Gender Inequality

• In the 18th Lok Sabha, women make up only 6% of MPs, a slight decline from 14.4% in the 17th Lok Sabha.
• Women comprise 05% of the Rajya Sabha, much lower than the 26.9% global average (April 2024).

Steps Taken to Improve Parliamentary Functioning

Code of Conduct for MPs

• A code of conduct has been adopted to guide MPs’ behavior, discourage disruptions, and encourage active participation in proceedings.

Use of Technology

• Adoption of live streaming of parliamentary sessions increases transparency and accountability.
• Real-time broadcasts ensure MPs behave responsibly as they are being observed by the public.
• Digital platforms and mobile apps enhance communication and information sharing among MPs.

Robust Committee System

• Parliamentary committees scrutinize bills, policies, and government actions, ensuring informed and well-debated legislation.
• Committees bring expert opinions into the legislative process, improving its quality and depth.

Disciplinary Actions

• MPs disrupting proceedings may face disciplinary measures such as suspension or expulsion.
• This helps maintain decorum and discourages behavior that obstructs the functioning of Parliament.

How to Improve the Productivity of Parliament

Encouraging Constructive Debate

• Political parties must prioritize constructive dialogue over disruptive strategies.
• Building consensus is crucial: the government should address opposition concerns, and opposition parties should offer practical alternatives.

Empowering the Presiding Officers

• Speakers and Chairpersons must be given more powers to manage disruptions and enforce parliamentary rules effectively.
• This would ensure smooth functioning and minimize unnecessary interruptions.

Promoting Accountability

• Political parties should monitor MPs’ attendance, participation in debates, and voting records.
• Role models and exemplary parliamentarians can inspire others to participate more constructively.
• The RTI Act can help make MPs’ performance and actions transparent to the public.

Enhancing Public Engagement and Transparency

• Increased public awareness through media coverage and transparent decision-making can build trust in Parliament.
• Public scrutiny encourages MPs to perform their roles responsibly and effectively.

Engaging Youth in Politics

• Promoting young leaders with values like integrity, accountability, and transparency can rejuvenate parliamentary debates.
• Their fresh perspectives can enhance governance and encourage ethical conduct.

Conclusion

The Indian Parliament faces several challenges, including disruptions, political polarization, low participation, and poor legislative quality. Addressing these issues requires fostering constructive debates, empowering presiding officers, promoting accountability, and strengthening the committee system. With increased transparency, public engagement, and youth participation, Parliament can effectively represent the people and ensure impactful legislation that strengthens democracy.