An institution in freefall: Parliament is all dressed up with nowhere to go
Directly relevant to UPSC Mains GS-II (Polity and Governance). Covers parliamentary functioning, separation of powers, and democratic institutions.
UPSC Relevance
Maps to GS Paper II: Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising Out of these. Relevant for Polity and Governance sections.
What You Need to Know
The article critiques the declining effectiveness of the Indian Parliament, highlighting reduced legislative output, bypassing of legislative scrutiny, and executive dominance. It underscores the institution's failure to fulfill its deliberative and oversight functions.
Why It Matters for UPSC
A functional Parliament is essential for democratic accountability and quality legislation. For India's future, a weak Parliament undermines checks and balances, leading to policy failures and erosion of public trust. For the exam, it is a core theme in polity and governance.
Background
The Indian Parliament, established under the Constitution, was designed as the supreme legislative body. Over the years, trends like reduced sitting days, increased use of ordinances, and frequent disruptions have weakened its role. Key turning points include the era of coalition politics and recent majoritarian governments.
Current Relevance
Recent sessions have seen record low productivity (e.g., Monsoon 2023 with 37% productivity), fewer bills passed, and increased use of ordinances. The 2024 general elections and new government's legislative agenda will test parliamentary reforms.
Key Points for Revision
- •Parliament's productivity has declined; e.g., Monsoon 2023 session only 37% productive.
- •Only about 25% of bills are referred to standing committees, down from 60% in earlier years.
- •Ordinance promulgation has increased; over 30 ordinances issued between 2020-2023.
- •India's Parliament sits for about 60-70 days a year, far less than the UK (160) or US (140).
- •The 52nd Amendment (Anti-Defection) has reduced dissent but also curbed parliamentary debate.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following statements about the Indian Parliament's functioning is correct?
The Anti-Defection Law (52nd Amendment) restricts MPs from voting against party lines, which reduces dissent and can limit open debate. This is a known criticism of the law.
Q2. Consider the following statements: 1. The Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) were set up in 1993. 2. Their recommendations are binding on the government. Which of the statements is/are correct?
DRSCs were established in 1993 to examine bills and reports, but their recommendations are not binding on the government, which is a key weakness.
Q3. Which of the following is a consequence of the declining effectiveness of Parliament?
When Parliament is ineffective, the executive resorts to ordinances to bypass legislative scrutiny, leading to an 'ordinance raj'.
Mains Practice Questions
Discuss the reasons for the declining effectiveness of the Indian Parliament and suggest reforms to strengthen its role in democratic governance. (150 words)
DiscussExamine the impact of the Anti-Defection Law on the functioning of the Indian Parliament. (150 words)
Examine