Functioning of Parliamentary: Trends & Challenges

• As Parliament begins yet another session overshadowed by fears of deadlock and routine walkouts, it raises serious concerns that India’s highest democratic forum is losing its voice.

Status of Parliamentary Functioning

• Lok Sabha functioned 29% and Rajya Sabha 34% of the scheduled time in the Monsoon Session 2025.
• Annual sittings declined from 121 days (1952-70) to ~68 days since 2000.
• Question Hour performance fell to 23% in LS, 6% in RS in Monsoon 2025.
• Only 20% referred to Parliamentary Committees in 16^th & 17^th Lok Sabhas, down from 60%.
• No Deputy Speaker in the 17^th Lok Sabha and still none in the 18^th.

Evidence of Parliamentary Decline

• Rushed Bills: Many laws are passed with almost no debate. 35% of Bills in the 17th Lok Sabha received less than 1 hour of discussion, and in 2023, 7 Bills were passed in under 20 minutes each. (PRSIndia)
• Opposition Marginalised: Opposition business gets less than 10% of House time (compared to 20–25% in the UK). Not a single Private Member’s Bill has been passed since 1970. (PRSIndia)
• Ordinance Surge: Ordinances have doubled from 6 per year (2000–10) to about 12 per year (2014–23). Delegated legislation has increased fourfold, shifting power away from Parliament. (PRSIndia)
• Budget Weakness: Budget discussion time has reduced from 35 hours earlier to less than 15 hours now. In 2021–22, 76% of Demands for Grants were passed without any discussion. (PRSIndia)

Structural Causes

• Executive Dominance: PMO-led lawmaking sidelines Parliament, with over 90% Bills government-driven, reducing scrutiny.
• Political Disruptions: Opposition gets very limited session time, making disruptions the only protest tool, slashing productivity. (PRSIndia)
• Partisan Chairs: Speakers’ partisan rulings. E.g., over 150 MP suspensions in 2023 undermine institutional neutrality.
• Committee Bypass: Only 20% of Bills were referred to committees in the 16^th and 17^th Lok Sabhas, undermining detailed legislative scrutiny.

Foundation Courses

Consequences of Declining Parliamentary Functioning

• Weak Accountability: Fewer sittings and only 23% (LS) and 6% (RS) of Question Hour questions answered in Monsoon 2025 reduce government scrutiny.
• Poor Legislation: Many bills pass with minimal debate. E.g., 35% of 17th Lok Sabha bills were discussed for under 1 hour, leading to implementation gaps.
• Public Distrust: Parliament’s ineffectiveness leads citizens to lose faith, reflecting apathy and disillusionment.
• Voices Silenced: Centralised lawmaking sidelines states and minorities; for instance, zero Private Members’ Bills were passed in the 17^th Lok Sabha.

Reforms Required for Smooth Parliamentary Functioning

• Institutional Dialogue: Reinstate structured, periodic meetings between the Leader of the House, Prime Minister, and Leader of Opposition, similar to the UK’s parliamentary management conventions.
• Anti-Defection Reform: Limit the whip only to confidence motions & money bills, restoring MP autonomy modelled on UK/Canada practice.
• Revive Committee System: Mandate 75% Bills to be referred to Standing Committees and also introduce public consultations and expert hearings.
• Guaranteed Sitting Days: Introduce a statutory minimum of 100–120 days of sittings annually, on lines of the Australian fixed parliamentary calendar.

A Parliament that “functions effectively, debates fully, and scrutinises boldly” is essential for maintaining India’s democratic balance. Enhancing deliberation, committees, and accountability is crucial to restoring public trust and rebuilding institutional credibility.

Reference: The Indian Express

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 445

Q. Frequent disruptions have become a tool of political signalling rather than a form of parliamentary protest. Discuss the reasons behind this trend and assess its consequences for legislative oversight and executive accountability. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Write a contextual introduction about the parliamentary disruptions, including the latest data.
• Body: Discuss the reasons behind increasing disruptions as political signalling, their consequences, and the way forward.
• Conclusion: Focus on dialogue and debate to re-establish Parliament as a deliberative and accountable forum.