The Many Lows of The 17th Lok Sabha

Context:

The following data points show that the Parliament functioning has generally been on a decline in the post-1990 period.

17th Lok Sabha Sending Only 16% of Bills For Scrutiny: Chart 1 

• Decline in Number of Bills Passed: The annual average of Bills passed declined from 65 in the 1952-1990 period to 48 in 1991-2023. 
  • Highest Bills Passed: The highest bills passed is 487 in 5th Lok Sabha.
• Decline in the Percentage of Bills Scrutinized: The number of Bills sent to committees for scrutiny also decreased consistently, with the 17th Lok Sabha sending only 16% of Bills for scrutiny, the lowest in the past four Lok Sabhas. 

17th Lok Sabha Had the Least Number of Sittings: Chart 2 

• Decline in Number of Sittings in Days & Sitting Hours: There is also a pattern of decline in number of sitting days and hours in the Lok Sabha. The 17th Lok Sabha had the least number of sittings i.e., 274 days.
  • Prior to 1990, each Lok Sabha typically convened for over 550 days on average, spanning 3,500 hours. However, post-1990, an average Lok Sabha only meets for 345 days, spanning less than 1,800 hours. 

Decline in Usages of Parliamentary Tools In 17th Lok Sabha: Chart 3

• Decline in Usage of Half-hour Discussion: Prior 1990, there were 88 such discussions per Lok Sabha. Post-1990, there were only 11 half-hour discussions per Lok Sabha. The 17th Lok Sabha permitted only one such discussion, marking an all-time low. 
• Decline in Usage of Short-duration Discussion: Prior 1990, it had an average of 46 per Lok Sabha. Post-1990, this number diminished to 39, with the 17th Lok Sabha engaging in only 13 such discussions. 
• Decline in Usage of Calling Attention Tool: It was extensively used between 1957 and 1990, with an average of 300 notices allowed per Lok Sabha. Post-1990, only 40 notices have been allowed per Lok Sabha. The 17th Lok Sabha allowed only one such discussion. 
• Decline in Usage of Adjournment Motion: Prior 1990, the Lok Sabha permitted discussion and voting on four such motions on average. Post-1990, this number decreased to three. The 16th and 17th Lok Sabha allowed no adjournment motions.

Decline on Time Spent on Discussing the Union Budget In Lok Sabha: Chart 4 

• Decline on Time Spent on Discussing the Union Budget: There has been a substantial decline in the time spent on discussing the Union Budget, Ministry-wise demands, and the Finance Bill, from around 120 hours annually before 1990 to a mere 35 hours post-1990. 
• Highest Hours: The highest hours spent on discussing the Union Budget is 791 in 3rd Lok Sabha.
• Lowest Hours: The lowest hours spent on discussing the Union Budget is 85 in 16th Lok Sabha.
  • Passing of Demands Without Discussion: Ministry-wise demands have been passed without discussion only five times since 1952 — and all of them after 1999

News Source: The Hindu

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