Answer:

Introduction:

The Indian Parliament, comprising the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, plays a pivotal role in the country’s democratic setup. As the principal legislative body, it is vested with significant powers and responsibilities. However, frequent disruptions have emerged as a concerning trend, affecting the smooth functioning of parliamentary proceedings. In latest session the Lok Sabha has functioned for 54% of its alloted time and the Rajya Sabha, for 38%, in this half of the session

Body:

Underlying Causes of Frequent Disruptions in Parliament:

• Political Rivalries: Intense competition and ideological differences between the ruling party and the opposition often lead to confrontations, culminating in disruptions.
• Demand for Attention: Opposition parties sometimes resort to disruptions as a means to draw attention to specific issues they believe are not being adequately addressed.
• Controversial Bills: Contention over certain bills, as perceived by the opposition or even by some members from the ruling side, can lead to disturbances.
• External Events: Issues external to the parliamentary proceedings, like the Manipur ethnic violence sometimes spill into the House, causing disruptions.
• Dissent within Coalitions: Parties within a ruling coalition or within the opposition, having differing viewpoints, can lead to disruptions if they aren’t aligned.

Consequences of Disruptions:

• Delayed Legislation: As seen with the adjournment during the discussion of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, disruptions can delay or even prevent important bills from being passed.
• Wasted Resources: A disrupted parliamentary session results in the wastage of taxpayers’ money, as each minute of running the parliament incurs significant costs.
• Erosion of Public Faith: Repeated disruptions can erode the faith of the common citizens in the democratic processes and institutions.
• Loss of Forum for Debate: Parliament is a forum for constructive debate and discussions. Disruptions rob the nation of the collective wisdom of its representatives.
• Governance Impacted: With crucial bills not being passed, the governance machinery gets affected, leading to potential delays in the implementation of policies beneficial for the citizens.

Effect on Legislative Process and Governance:

• Legislative Stagnation: Important bills, which could have profound impacts on the nation’s progress, remain in limbo due to disruptions.
• Executive Dominance: Frequent disruptions might lead to bypassing the parliamentary scrutiny, resulting in a more dominant executive.
• Decline in Deliberative Politics: Disruptions prevent constructive debates, reducing the chance of refining bills through diverse inputs, potentially leading to suboptimal legislation.

Conclusion:

For a thriving democracy like India, the smooth functioning of Parliament is non-negotiable. While disagreements and debates are essential components of a democratic setup, perpetual disruptions undermine the very essence of representative democracy. There is an urgent need for both the ruling party and the opposition to find common ground and ensure that the Parliament functions efficiently, keeping the nation’s best interests at heart.