11/12/2018 - Indian Polity

KEY POINTS

Reasons for declining productivity in Parliamentary sessions

·        The individual voting record of MPs remains unknown. With no record maintained of the voting record associated with each MP, it is difficult to distinguish their individual progressive or conservative nature.

·        Frequent disagreement and lack of co-operation over critical issues leading to loud protests, affecting the productivity of parliamentary sessions.

·        Currently, there is no rule to dictate the minimum number of days the Parliament should mandatorily be in session.

·        Parliamentary legislation is often criticised for being hastily drafted and being rushed through Parliament in an ad hoc and haphazard manner.

·        In 2008, for instance, 16 Bills were passed with less than 20 minutes of debate.

·        Private member bills are not getting due attention and debate. To date, only 14 private members bills have been passed.

·        There are many instruments like anti-defection law, whip issued by the political parties that are acting as hindrances for free speech of MPs. 

·        Limited seats for women, as of now women occupy only 11-12% of the strength of the parliament.

Measures to increase the productivity

·        Need to increase the minimum sittings and hold special sessions.

·        Mandatory fixing of the minimum number of days that the Parliament should be in sessions. According to the National Commission to review the working of the Constitution (NCRWC) recommended that it shall be 120 and 100 days respectively for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

·        Passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill (108th amendment) reserving 33% of all seats in Parliament and State legislatures for women.

·        The concept of a free vote allowing MPs to vote as they wish on particular legislative items.

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