The Opposition and the Government should find a way to resolve the logjam and ensure smooth functioning of both the Houses
President Pranab Mukherjee, while addressing the joint session of Parliament in February, emphasised the lawmakers’ responsibility, observing that “an aspirational India is emerging, an India that demands more opportunities, greater choices, better infrastructure, and enhanced safety and security.”
He was not wrong in referring to the aspirational India consisting of a young and demanding population. But those keenly following the conduct of the high seat of power are left dismayed by its non-functioning status. Recent sessions have seen Parliament being frequently disrupted over contentious political issues, leaving a huge backlog of legislation, crucial to the nation’s development and progress.
Parliamentary decorum has been codified and a 60-point code of conduct for the members was approved in 2001, which members are expected to observe. Alas! Despite this, a smooth session remains a distant dream.
The electorate expects its representatives to engage in debates, raise issues of public concerns, resolve problems, and act as a watchdog to keep the Government in check. But the leaders, as Rajya Sabha Speaker and Vice President Hamid Ansari said, are indulging in “competitive hooliganism.” His suggestion to suspend unruly members was rejected by the political parties this week.
The Opposition claims it is the responsibility of the Government to run the House while the Government expects the Opposition not to be obstructive. Isn’t it time for the members to correct their image and for the political parties to show that they care for the peopleIJ
The first half of the Budget Session was marred by protests over the issue of Sri lankan Tamils, and Union Minister for Steel Beni Prasad Verma’s comments against Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. The disruptions left little time for transacting business and the Rajya Sabha passed the Appropriation Bill without a debate.
Nothing seems to have changed in the second half of the Budget Session, which began this week. On Tuesday, the lok Sabha was a free for all, with various political parties seeking adjournments on issues ranging from a separate Telangana to stringent action in the child-rape case in Delhi. The BJP, in no mood to allow the House to function, is demanding the scalps of both the Prime Minister and the Union law Minister Ashwini Kumar who is alleged to have vetted the CBI report on the coal scam.
With hardly eight working days left, the lawmakers need to get their act right. Important financial business awaits Parliament’s attention and crucial food security and land acquisition Bills, require to be passed. The Opposition and the Government need to resolve the logjam and ensure smooth functioning of both the Houses.
The productive time of the current lok Sabha is about 70 per cent while that of Rajya Sabha is even less. Consider Parliament’s track record: lok Sabha met for an average 127 days in the 1950s and Rajya Sabha for 93 days. This decreased to 73 days for both Houses in 2011. The first lok Sabha passed an average of 72 Bills each year. This has decreased to 40 Bills a year in the 15th lok Sabha.
This deterioration is despite the realisation in recent years about the devaluation of parliamentary authority, falling standards of debate, decline in the conduct of its members.
It is evident that the representatives have not honestly performed their basic duties — scrutinising the Budget and law making. With parliamentary proceedings being televised, people can see the performance of their representatives in the House. This is a double-edged weapon which will work against politicos and their parties if they do not abandon this ‘competitive hooliganism’.
There is also need for parliamentary reforms including a re-look at the operational procedures and the precise need of the direction and to the extent of reforms to guard against the decay. The purpose should be to make both the Government and Parliament more relevant to meet the challenges and aspirations of the people. The Government and the Opposition should be concerned about the functioning of Parliament.
The All India Conference of Presiding Officers, Chief Ministers, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, leaders and Whips of Parties held in 2001 had called for immediate steps to ensure that Parliament meets for a minimum 110 days every year. This should be done immediately.
In a coalition era, it is the responsibility of the big and small parties to ensure the smooth functioning of Parliament, which is the temple of democracy.