Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction: Contextualizing the Question (30-40 words)
- Start with a brief introduction about the role of Parliament in the democratic setup.
- Define its core functions: deliberative lawmaking and holding the executive accountable.
- Mention the increasing concerns over the decline in its functioning.
Example: “The Indian Parliament, comprising the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and the President, plays a vital role in lawmaking and ensuring executive accountability. However, recent trends point to a decline in its functioning, hampering its ability to fulfill these key roles.”
2. Declining Parliamentary Efficiency (80-100 words)
- Lack of Sittings: Mention how reduced sitting days hinder meaningful discussions and scrutiny.
- Fact: According to PRS, the average number of sitting days in Lok Sabha dropped from 121 (1952-1970) to 56 days in 2022 (PRS, 2022).
- Speed of Lawmaking: Discuss how the hasty passage of bills undermines deliberation.
- Fact: In 2020, bills were passed in less than 10 minutes in Lok Sabha and under 30 minutes in Rajya Sabha (PRS, 2020).
Example: “The reduced number of sitting days and the increasing speed at which legislation is passed prevent adequate discussions on bills, limiting Parliament’s role in ensuring deliberative lawmaking. In 2022, the Lok Sabha only sat for 56 days, down from an average of 121 days between 1952 and 1970 (PRS, 2022).”
3. Overuse of Ordinances (80-100 words)
- Explain how the overuse of ordinances circumvents Parliament’s lawmaking process.
- Fact: Between 2014-2021, 76 ordinances were passed, averaging 10 per year (PRS, 2021).
- Ordinances bypass parliamentary scrutiny, leaving limited space for opposition debate and questioning of the executive.
Example: “The frequent issuance of ordinances undermines the lawmaking process, as ordinances bypass the need for legislative scrutiny. Between 2014 and 2021, 76 ordinances were passed, limiting Parliament’s role in deliberating on laws and scrutinizing the executive’s actions (PRS, 2021).”
4. Weakening of Parliamentary Committees (80-100 words)
- Discuss the importance of parliamentary committees in scrutinizing bills and holding the executive accountable.
- Highlight the decline in bills referred to Standing Committees.
- Fact: In the 16th Lok Sabha (2014-2019), only 27% of bills were referred to committees, a sharp decline from 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha (PRS, 2019).
Example: “Parliament’s Standing Committees play a crucial role in scrutinizing bills and holding the executive accountable. However, the decline in the number of bills referred to committees has reduced their effectiveness. In the 16th Lok Sabha, only 27% of bills were sent for committee scrutiny, compared to 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha (PRS, 2019).”
5. Shrinking Role of the Opposition (80-100 words)
- Explain how the reduced space for opposition debates impacts accountability.
- Fact: Since 2019, only 6 short duration discussions were held, limiting the opposition’s ability to raise urgent national issues (PRS, 2019).
- Discuss the political dominance of the ruling party reducing meaningful debate.
Example: “The opposition’s ability to raise important issues has been significantly reduced. Since 2019, only six short duration discussions have been held, limiting the opposition’s role in holding the government accountable (PRS, 2019).”
6. Weakened Role of the Rajya Sabha (80-100 words)
- Discuss how the frequent use of the money bill route has diminished the Rajya Sabha’s role in lawmaking.
- Fact: The growing dominance of the ruling party has limited the Rajya Sabha’s potential for deliberation and accountability.
Example: “The increased use of the money bill route has sidelined the Rajya Sabha, weakening its capacity to scrutinize bills and hold the executive accountable. This has undermined the bicameral system’s role in ensuring checks and balances.”
7. Conclusion: Path Forward (40-50 words)
- Briefly conclude by emphasizing the need for reform to restore Parliament’s effectiveness.
- Suggest improvements such as increasing sitting days, ensuring opposition participation, and promoting committee scrutiny.
Example: “To restore Parliament’s effectiveness, it is essential to increase the number of sittings, provide greater space for the opposition, and ensure robust committee scrutiny. These steps would enhance deliberative lawmaking and strengthen Parliament’s role in holding the executive accountable.”
Relevant Facts and Sources
- Declining Number of Sitting Days:
- Source: PRS (Public Affairs Centre).
- Fact: Lok Sabha sitting days reduced from 121 in 1952-70 to 56 in 2022 (PRS, 2022).
- Speed of Lawmaking:
- Source: PRS (Public Affairs Centre).
- Fact: In 2020, the average time taken to pass a bill in the Lok Sabha was under 10 minutes, and less than 30 minutes in Rajya Sabha (PRS, 2020).
- Overuse of Ordinances:
- Source: PRS (Public Affairs Centre).
- Fact: Between 2014-2021, 76 ordinances were passed, averaging 10 per year (PRS, 2021).
- Declining Committee Scrutiny:
- Source: PRS (Public Affairs Centre).
- Fact: Only 27% of bills were referred to Standing Committees in the 16th Lok Sabha, compared to 71% in the 15th (PRS, 2019).
- Reduced Role of Opposition:
- Source: PRS (Public Affairs Centre).
- Fact: Only 6 short duration discussions have been held in Parliament since 2019 (PRS, 2019).
- Weakened Role of Rajya Sabha:
- Source: PRS (Public Affairs Centre).
- Fact: The use of the money bill route has reduced the Rajya Sabha’s capacity to scrutinize important legislation.
Model Answer
Decline in Parliamentary Functioning and its Impact on Lawmaking and Accountability
The effective functioning of Parliament is essential for fulfilling its role in deliberative lawmaking and holding the executive accountable. However, recent trends indicate that a decline in parliamentary operations is undermining these critical responsibilities.
Reduced Time for Discussion and Scrutiny
One of the most significant factors affecting parliamentary functioning is the decreasing number of sitting days. According to the PRS (Public Affairs Centre), the Lok Sabha’s annual sitting days have sharply fallen from 121 days between 1952-70 to just 56 days in 2022. This reduction in sitting time leaves limited opportunities for MPs to debate and scrutinize important legislation or question the executive (PRS, 2022). Furthermore, the rapid passage of bills, with the Lok Sabha passing laws in less than 10 minutes on average, bypasses the necessary scrutiny. This hasty approach diminishes the role of Parliament as a deliberative body and weakens accountability mechanisms.
Overuse of Ordinances and Reduced Committee Scrutiny
Another factor is the increasing reliance on ordinances, which limits Parliament’s ability to debate and hold the executive accountable. Between 2014-2021, 76 ordinances were issued, often circumventing parliamentary processes and reducing opportunities for opposition to question executive actions (PRS, 2021). Additionally, the sidelining of parliamentary committees, such as the Standing Committees, further weakens scrutiny. Only 27% of bills were referred to committees in the 16th Lok Sabha, compared to 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha (PRS, 2019).
Diminished Role of the Opposition and Rajya Sabha
The growing dominance of the ruling party, especially through the use of the money bill route, has further weakened the role of the Rajya Sabha, which traditionally acted as a counterbalance to the Lok Sabha. The lack of short duration discussions—only 6 since 2019—has also stifled the opposition’s ability to raise urgent national issues (PRS, 2019). Moreover, the absence of private members’ bills being passed for over fifty years highlights the diminishing space for non-government voices in lawmaking.
In conclusion, these trends point to a significant erosion of parliamentary functions, limiting its ability to act as a deliberative body and an effective check on the executive. Strengthening parliamentary norms and ensuring adequate time for debates, scrutiny, and opposition involvement are crucial for restoring its accountability role.