University:
Albright College
Course:
ESL 010 | Basic Writing I
Academic year:

2024
Views:

111

Pages:

2
Author:

Kabijak J.

Decreasing Productivity of Parliament Reasons for Decreasing Productivity of Parliament in India: 1. Disruptions and Adjournments: Frequent disruptions, walkouts, and adjournments of parliamentary sessions result in wasted time and reduced productivity. This behavior often stems from political differences and lack of consensus. 2. Lack of Constructive Debates: Meaningful debates on important issues are often replaced by political theatrics, reducing the quality of discussions and the output of productive deliberation. 3. Shorter Sessions: The duration of parliamentary sessions has reduced over the years, leading to limited time for discussions and legislative business. 4. Busy Legislative Calendar: A crowded legislative agenda with multiple bills to discuss can lead to rushed debates and inadequate scrutiny of bills. 5. Low Attendance: The presence of Members of Parliament (MPs) during sessions has been inconsistent, affecting the quorum and the quality of discussions. 6. Frequent Elections: Elections, especially when they occur frequently, divert the attention of MPs from parliamentary work. Substantiation with Data: According to PRS Legislative Research, the average productivity of the Lok Sabha (lower house) during the first 15 sessions of the 17th Lok Sabha (June 2019 to March 2020) was around 25%, and for the Rajya Sabha (upper house), it was about 33%. In the 16th Lok Sabha, the average number of sittings per year was 70, which is lower than the historical average. The 2020 Monsoon Session of Parliament saw its productivity drop to just around 18% in the Lok Sabha and 27% in the Rajya Sabha, primarily due to disruptions and limited business transacted. Way Forward: 1. Strengthening Committees: Enhance the role and functioning of parliamentary committees, which can examine bills and issues in detail, reducing the pressure on full house discussions. 2. Constructive Debates: Encourage MPs to engage in constructive debates that focus on substance rather than political theatrics. 3. Longer Sessions: Allocate more time for parliamentary sessions to allow thorough discussions on bills and other important matters. 4. Code of Conduct: Introduce and enforce a code of conduct for MPs that discourages disruptions and mandates their active participation in debates. 5. Consensus Building: Encourage political parties to find common ground on key issues, enabling smoother legislative processes. 6. Improving Attendance: Address absenteeism by MPs through measures that make their presence during sessions more obligatory. 7. Thematic Sessions: Allocate specific days or weeks for focused discussions on specific themes to ensure thorough deliberation. 8. Technology: Utilize technology to streamline administrative processes and enhance efficiency in parliamentary proceedings. 9. Public Awareness: Raise public awareness about the importance of productive parliamentary sessions and their impact on effective governance. 10. Training and Capacity Building: Provide training to MPs on parliamentary procedures, legislative drafting, and effective participation.