Challenges faced by parliamentarians: A Disruption-mukt Parliament

Source: The post is based on the article “A Disruption-mukt Parliament” published in the Indian Express on 9^th August 2022.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, the conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

Relevance: About the challenges faced by parliamentarians in conducting business.

News: In a deliberative democracy, Parliament works as a special purpose vehicle for the legislative scrutiny of bills, grievance redressal and debate on policies and related governance issues. The inability of Parliament to transact any business and the lack of serious deliberation must be a matter of grave concern for all.

What are the challenges faced by parliamentarians?

Firstly, for any parliamentarian, it is extremely disappointing to be unable to speak in the House. When this happens too often, their enthusiasm to speak reduces significantly.

Secondly, When it comes to bills, opposition members argue vehemently that better scrutiny of the bill. But a close look at the percentage of members attending the meetings of standing committees makes one doubt the sincerity behind their demands.

Thirdly, systems work effectively when wrongdoers are punished and rule-abiding people are rewarded. What happens currently is exactly the opposite, especially in the context of coverage of parliamentary proceedings in mainstream media.

Those who make a reasonably good speech — well argued and supported by statistics, examples or case studies — rarely get adequate attention.

Fourthly, Only the politics of pandemonium(Chaos) grabs headlines in the news.

What should be done?

Perhaps presiding officers can emulate the courts of law. Like in courts, the presiding officers can conduct what is called in-camera proceedings in their chambers, especially for Zero Hour and Question Hour.

In-camera conduct of Zero and Question Hours will be a smart way to prevent punishing those who observe discipline.

As the Parliament of independent India enters the eighth decade of its history and prepares to enter a new, more well-equipped and modern Parliament House, it is the right time to think about systemic reforms.