Model Answer

Introduction

In a democracy, individual parliamentarians are vital as national lawmakers, responsible for debating and scrutinizing legislation that affects citizens. However, a noticeable decline in their roles has emerged, adversely impacting the quality of parliamentary debates and their outcomes.

Factors Contributing to the Decline

Several factors contribute to the diminishing role of individual parliamentarians:

1. Party Discipline:
   • Strict party discipline often compels parliamentarians to conform to the party line, suppressing individual opinions and dissent. This results in a lack of diverse viewpoints during debates.
2. Rise of Populism:
   • The rise of populist politics emphasizes rhetoric over substantive policy discussions. Politicians often prioritize catchy slogans over in-depth debates, leading to superficial discussions on critical issues (Source: Mounk, Yascha. The People vs. Democracy).
3. Influence of Interest Groups:
   • The lobbying power of interest groups can overshadow the contributions of individual parliamentarians. Financial backing often skews legislative priorities away from genuine concerns (Source: Schlozman, Kay Lehman, et al. The Unheavenly Chorus).

Impact on Debate Quality

The decline in individual contributions has significant repercussions on the quality of debates:

• Reduced Diversity of Opinions:
  • A homogeneous legislative process emerges, with fewer dissenting voices, leading to a lack of comprehensive discussions on laws.
• Less Rigorous Scrutiny of Bills:
  • When parliamentarians prioritize party loyalty over critical examination, bills may not receive the thorough scrutiny they require.
• Lack of In-Depth Discussions:
  • Superficial debates replace meaningful discussions, undermining the legislative process (Source: Parliament of India, Proceedings).

Adverse Legislative Outcomes

The decline also negatively impacts legislative outcomes:

• Poorly Drafted Legislation:
  • Legislation may become poorly crafted, potentially leading to unintended consequences or implementation challenges.
• Limited Accountability:
  • Reduced scrutiny means the government may evade accountability for its legislative actions, undermining democratic governance.
• Reduced Public Trust:
  • As debate quality declines, public trust in legislative processes and democratic institutions deteriorates.

Conclusion

Addressing the decline in individual parliamentarians’ roles is crucial for preserving the integrity of the democratic process. Ensuring well-crafted legislation and holding the government accountable are essential for maintaining public trust and effective governance.

Model Answer

Introduction

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRPSCs) are vital instruments for maintaining parliamentary control over the executive in India. They play a significant role in ensuring accountability and checks and balances by examining government policies, legislation, and administration.

Functions of DRPSCs

• Scrutinizing Demands for Grants: DRPSCs examine budget proposals and scrutinize the expenditures of various ministries, ensuring financial accountability.
• Reviewing Legislation: They assess proposed legislation and suggest amendments, refining the law-making process.
• Investigating Policy Matters: DRPSCs delve into specific issues referred by Parliament, providing in-depth analysis and recommendations.
• Ensuring Accountability: They hold the executive accountable by requiring explanations and justifications for their actions.

Effectiveness of DRPSCs

• Financial Accountability: By examining demands for grants and expenditures, DRPSCs ensure public funds are utilized efficiently. For instance, their scrutiny can prevent misuse of resources.
• Refining Legislation: Their review process helps avoid hasty decisions, contributing to well-considered laws. An example is the Standing Committee on Finance’s recommendations on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (2016), which led to significant amendments being incorporated into the final legislation.
• Policy Investigation: DRPSCs tackle critical national issues. The 31st report of the Standing Committee on Information Technology (2018-19) addressed data security and privacy, recommending enhancements to the data protection framework.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite their effectiveness, DRPSCs face several challenges:

• Limited Resources: Time and resource constraints may hinder comprehensive scrutiny.
• Lack of Expertise: Members may lack specialized knowledge, affecting the quality of recommendations.
• Partisan Politics: Political affiliations can overshadow objective deliberations.
• Non-binding Recommendations: Recommendations made by DRPSCs are not mandatory, allowing the government to accept or reject them at will.

Conclusion

To enhance the effectiveness of DRPSCs and inspire greater reverence for parliamentary control, it is essential to address these challenges. Strengthening their operational framework will lead to a more robust system of oversight, ultimately reinforcing the integrity of parliamentary democracy in India.

Model Answer

Introduction

Committees are vital components of the legislative process in parliamentary systems, providing platforms for detailed scrutiny of legislative proposals, policies, and budgets. Comprising Members of Parliament (MPs) from various political parties, these committees function in a non-partisan manner, enhancing the overall efficiency of the parliamentary process.

Why Committees are Useful for Parliamentary Work

1. Expertise Development: Committees enable MPs to cultivate specialized knowledge in specific areas, enhancing their ability to evaluate proposals and policies effectively.
2. Detailed Scrutiny: They allow for in-depth analysis of legislative proposals and budgets, something that is often impractical during full parliamentary sessions.
3. Time Management: Committees help manage parliamentary workloads by addressing specific issues, preparing reports, and thus saving valuable time during sessions.
4. Non-partisan Approach: The cooperative atmosphere within committees encourages MPs to work collaboratively, focusing on substantive issues rather than political divisions.
5. Stakeholder Consultation: Committees can engage with various stakeholders, including experts and civil society, to gather diverse perspectives on pertinent issues.
6. Accountability: They play a crucial role in holding the government accountable by scrutinizing its policies and expenditures.

Role of the Estimates Committee

The Estimates Committee, a key standing committee, performs several critical functions:

• Scrutiny of Expenditure: It examines the government’s expenditure estimates and suggests economies in public spending.
• Performance Evaluation: The committee assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of government policies and programs.
• Ensuring Accountability: It scrutinizes government spending to ensure funds are utilized properly and efficiently.
• Recommendations: Based on its evaluations, the committee provides actionable recommendations to improve the management of public funds.
• Composition: The Estimates Committee consists solely of non-ministerial members, ensuring an unbiased review of government expenditure proposals.

Conclusion

Parliamentary committees, particularly the Estimates Committee, significantly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the legislative process. By facilitating comprehensive scrutiny, developing MP expertise, and promoting a cooperative atmosphere, these committees play a crucial role in ensuring transparent and accountable governance.