Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction (2-3 sentences)

• Start with the concept of parliamentary oversight: Briefly explain the role of parliamentary oversight in the Indian system of governance and its importance in ensuring that the Executive is accountable to the Legislature.
• Introduce the main tools used for oversight: Mention the various mechanisms like debates, Question Hour, Committees (Estimates, Public Accounts, DRSCs), motions, and financial scrutiny that are designed to ensure Executive accountability.

Example:
Parliamentary oversight in India is an essential mechanism to ensure that the Executive remains accountable for its actions and policies. Tools such as Question Hour, debates, parliamentary committees, and financial scrutiny mechanisms like the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are employed to monitor the Executive’s functioning.

2. Evaluation of Current Effectiveness (6-7 points)

Break down the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight into specific aspects. Highlight both the successes and limitations.

Key Areas to Cover:

• Majority Party Rule:
  • The ruling party often enjoys a majority in Parliament, which diminishes the effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny over the Executive.
  • Example Fact: The ruling party’s dominance was evident during the 16th Lok Sabha, where despite opposition protests, key bills passed through without much resistance.
• Disruptions and Reduced Deliberations:
  • Frequent disruptions of Parliament result in lost time for meaningful debates, weakening oversight.
  • Example Fact: According to PRS Legislative Research, the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019) lost 16% of its scheduled time due to disruptions.
• Committee Scrutiny:
  • Parliamentary Committees like the PAC and Estimates Committee play a significant role, but bills often pass without in-depth scrutiny.
  • Example Fact: In the 16th Lok Sabha, only 25% of bills were referred to Committees, compared to 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha (PRS Legislative Research).
• Guillotine Process and Financial Control:
  • The use of the “guillotine” (a mechanism to fast-track bills and budgets) undermines proper financial scrutiny.
  • Example Fact: The Budget is often passed via the guillotine, limiting Parliament’s ability to scrutinize government spending.
• Delegated Legislation:
  • Increased reliance on delegated legislation has reduced Parliament’s direct involvement in lawmaking.
  • Example Fact: Delegated legislation has grown, allowing the bureaucracy more control over detailed policymaking, limiting Parliamentary oversight.

3. Proposed Measures to Strengthen Parliamentary Oversight (6-7 points)

After evaluating the current system, propose reforms and measures that could enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.

Key Measures to Propose:

• Greater Role for Opposition:
  • Allowing opposition parties a more significant role in setting the parliamentary agenda could help balance the influence of the ruling party.
  • Comparative Example: In the UK and Canada, the opposition plays a larger role in controlling parliamentary business, ensuring more balanced scrutiny of the Executive.
• Strengthening Committee Systems:
  • Ensure that ministers are mandatorily summoned to appear before Committees for detailed scrutiny.
  • Proposed Fact: Increase public participation and transparency by allowing Committee meetings to be video-recorded and made available online.
• Reforms in Question Hour and Accountability Measures:
  • Amend parliamentary rules to ensure the Prime Minister answers questions about various ministries, not just those under his/her portfolio.
  • Proposed Change: More comprehensive discussions of Committee reports on the floor of the House should be mandated.
• Empower Parliament to Convene Itself:
  • Allow Parliament to convene on the initiative of a requisite number of MPs rather than waiting for the President’s call.
  • Proposed Fact: This would allow Parliament to address pressing issues and hold the Executive accountable without relying solely on the government’s agenda.
• Preventive Measures for Disruptions:
  • Introduce stricter rules against disruptions to ensure the effective functioning of parliamentary sessions and protect the time allocated for deliberations.
  • Example Fact: Reducing disruptions could help restore the lost time, like the 16% of time lost in the 16th Lok Sabha.

4. Conclusion (2-3 sentences)

• Summarize the importance of robust parliamentary oversight: Conclude by reinforcing the significance of strengthening the parliamentary oversight system to ensure that the Executive remains accountable and transparent.
• Briefly mention the impact of the proposed measures: Emphasize that the suggested reforms would improve governance, ensure better lawmaking, and safeguard democracy.

Example Conclusion:
Parliamentary oversight is essential for ensuring the accountability of the Executive in India. By strengthening the Committee system, improving participation from the opposition, and reducing disruptions, India can enhance the effectiveness of this oversight, leading to more transparent and responsive governance.

Key Facts to Use:

1. PRS Legislative Research (2019) – The 16th Lok Sabha lost 16% of its scheduled time due to disruptions.
2. Committee Scrutiny: Only 25% of bills introduced in the 16th Lok Sabha were referred to Parliamentary Committees for detailed scrutiny, down from 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha.
3. Guillotine Use: The guillotine mechanism is regularly employed for fast-tracking the Budget, limiting financial scrutiny by Parliament.
4. Delegated Legislation Growth: Increased reliance on delegated legislation reduces Parliament’s involvement in lawmaking and increases the power of the bureaucracy.
5. UK/Canada Model: In countries like the UK and Canada, the opposition is given a more prominent role in controlling the parliamentary agenda, which helps ensure better scrutiny of the Executive.

This roadmap will guide you in writing a structured and factual answer, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the current state of parliamentary oversight and offering practical measures for improvement.